Screenplay AFIN 117

The Imbalance

Written by Naomi Lisner

AFIN 2021 Nominee

  • 2021
  • 110pp
  • Australia
  • English
  • Comedy
  • Romance
Australian
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Credits

Synopsis

Two best friends in their fifties, Sally and Celeste, swap disastrous dates for disastrous auditions when they return to acting after raising families - only to discover that rejection in Hollywood can be just as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.

Writer's Statement

Writer’s Statement As a writer, it is important for me to reveal the heart of every character. The Imbalance was born out of the experience of rejection. As an actor, I know firsthand that opportunities for women, especially as they mature, are fewer. I love working with men and women of all ages and ethnicities, and as a filmmaker, actor, and a woman who has had to start over, I wanted to challenge stereotypes through humor. For me, comedy is not just entertainment - it’s a way to highlight truth, resilience, and the absurdity of the challenges we face.

What makes this one special

  • 8 awards at other festivalsHaydenfilms 2.0 Screenwring Competition · Wiki Screenplay Conest · Houston Comedy Festival and 5 more
  • Programmed at 33 other festivals
  • Nominated for Best Feature Screenplay

Also selected at

8 awards, 15 finalist placings, 10 official selections across 33 other festivals

  1. WinnerHaydenfilms 2.0 Screenwring CompetitionHonorable Mention · Philadelphia USA · 2025
  2. WinnerWiki Screenplay ConestHonorable Mention · Santa Barbara CA USA · 2022
  3. WinnerHouston Comedy FestivalWinner Best Romantic Comedy · Huston Texas · 2021
  4. WinnerSene Film FestivalWinner · Rhode Island USA · 2021
  5. WinnerToronto International Women's Film FestivalWinner Best Screenplay · Toronto Canada · 2021
  6. WinnerCannes Screenplay CompetitionWinner- Best Comedy · 2019
  7. WinnerShort Stop International Film FestivalWinner- Best Script (2nd Place) · Romania · 2018
  8. WinnerWest Field ScreenwritingWinner Best Feature Screenplay · America · 2018
  9. FinalistRed Flight Pictures Screenplay AwardsFinalist · Los Angeles, USA · 2025
  10. FinalistInternational Screenwriting CompetitionSemi-Finalist · New Jersey, USA · 2023
  11. Finalist26th Annual Fade In Comedy AwardsSemi Finalist · Beverly Hills, CA, USA · 2022
  12. FinalistFilmmatic Comedy Screenplay AwardsQuarter- Finalist · Los Angeles · 2022
  13. FinalistOut of The Can International Film FestivalFinalist · London UK · 2022
  14. FinalistCordillera International Film FestivalFinalist · Reno- Tahoe Nevada USA · 2021
  15. FinalistLas Vegas International Film & Screenwriting FestivalFinalist · Las Vegas USA · 2021
  16. FinalistNew Renaissance London Film FestivalFinalist · London UK · 2021
  17. FinalistPeachtree Village International Film FestivalFinalist · Atlanta USA · 2021
  18. FinalistPortland Comedy FestivalFinalist · Portland Oregon · 2021
  19. FinalistWoods Hole Film FestivalFinalist · Massachusetts, USA · 2020
  20. FinalistMelech ha MalechimFinalist · Israel · 2019
  21. FinalistUtah Film FestivalSemi Finalist- Best Screenplay · Utah, USA · 2019
  22. FinalistLA CineFest Screen playSemi Finalist · Los Angeles · 2018
  23. FinalistTwister Alley FestivalFinalist · Oklahoma · 2018
  24. SelectionFestival AngaelicaOfficial Selection (awaiting outcome) · Pasadena USA · 2025
The remaining 9 festivals
  1. SelectionChicago Script AwardsOfficial Selection · 2024
  2. SelectionMarina Del ReyOfficial Selection · California USA · 2023
  3. SelectionEurovision Palermo Film FestivalOfficial Selection · Palermo Italy · 2022
  4. SelectionMalta Film FestivalOfficial Selection · 2022
  5. SelectionAustin Comedy FestivalOfficial Selection · Austin Texas · 2021
  6. SelectionInternational Moving Film FestivalOfficial Selection · Iran · 2021
  7. SelectionNew York Indeopendent Cinema AwardsOfficial Selection · New York USA · 2021
  8. SelectionNear NazarethOfficial Selection Best Script · Israel · 2018
  9. SelectionPalm Springs International Comedy FestivalOfficial Selection for Best Comedy Screenplay · Palm Springs California · 2018

Recorded by the filmmaker on their entry.

Writer's Biography

Naomi Lisner Writer

Naomi Lisner is an actor, writer, and occasional director who believes stories should make you feel something - preferably laughter, catharsis, and maybe a tiny existential crisis (the fun kind). After years working in front of the camera, she eventually picked up the pen, the director’s chair, and a paintbrush, proving she has trouble sitting still for more than five minutes. An award-winning storyteller, Naomi creates work with heart, humour, and characters who feel real enough to text you at 2 a.m. She’s directed two internationally recognised short films, written multiple feature screenplays, and paints bold, joyful artwork whenever her brain needs a breather. Deeply connected to the creative community, Naomi has served on boards, volunteered for industry organisations, and trained with legendary mentors along the way. She is represented by Daniel Scharf at Profile Creative and is currently seeking new collaborations, representation for her writing, and producers who love character-driven stories with bite.

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The Imbalance was an official Nominee for Best Feature Screenplay at the AFIN International Film Festival 2021, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.

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