Past written and directed works, screenwriting awards...
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The Palimpsest - Official Selection - 2025 - Santa Barbara International Screenwriting Awards
L.A. International Screenplay Awards - SemiFinalist - 2025
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Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden - 2024-2025 - Optioned by Exit 44 Productions
David M O'Neill set to direct.
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The Violence of Wine - screenwriter - Spec
Finalist - Palm Springs - Santa Barbara International Screenwriting Festivals
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The Stand at Paxton County - screenwriter - ESX - Netflix
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Passenger 58 - screenwriter - Warner Brothers
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Mary Life After Jesus - The Road to Ephesus - Screenwriter - Exploration Films
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Saving MLK - screenwriter - Spec
Semi-Finalist - Santa Barbara International Screenwriting Festival
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The Black Tulip - screenwriter - Snag Films - Academy Award Entry - Afghanistan
Official Entry - Academy Awards - Best Foreign Film
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Player 5150 - screenwriter - director - First Look Studios
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Five Aces - screenwriter - director - 20th Century Fox
Winner - Spirit of Independence Award
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Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden - screenwriter-director - short
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The Longest Season - screenwriter-director - short
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Threat - 115 Degrees - screenwriter - Charlie Sheen - Nick Cassavetes
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War Junkies - screenwriter - Mark Harris (Crash - Gods and Monsters)
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Lady Godiva - screenwriter - research and script delivery - Santa Monica Studios
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Babette's Feast (English version) - screenwriter - Panorama Films
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Last Lovers - novel adaptation - screenwriter - Panorama Films
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Marilyn - screenwriter - novel adaptation - Panorama Films
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Martin Eden - screenwriter - optioned spec - Panorama Films
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What Lies in the Valley Below - screenwriter - novel adaptation spec
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American Yankee - screenwriter - spec script
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Empress of Heaven - screenwriter novel adaptation - spec
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Devil Dogs of Kernville - screenwriter - spec script
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Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden - short film - screenwriter spec script
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Additional awards:
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2024
Santa Barbara International Screenplay Festival
Violence of Wine - Semi-Finalist
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2024
Palm Springs International Screenwriting Festival
The Violence of Wine - Finalist
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2023
Scriptapalooza
Quarter Finalist
Saving MLK
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2023
Los Angeles International Screenwriting Awards *
Semi-Finalist
Saving MLK
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2023
Santa Barbara International Screenwriting Awards *
Semi-Finalist - The Happy Man - What Lies in the Valley Below
2023
Santa Barbara International Screenwriting Awards *
Quarter Finalist - Saving MLK
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2022
Shockfesst *
Golden Reel Award - The Happy Man "What Lies in the Valley Below".
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2019
Screencraft *
Advanced quarterfinalist - Empress of Heaven
Screenwriting Finalist
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2013
Penn Center Awards *
Freedom To Write Award - The Black Tulip
The film was awarded its centerpiece grand-prize for its subject matter and its daring production
mounted in the heart of Kabul Afghanistan.
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2013
Beverly Hills Film Festival *
Golden Palm Prize - The Black Tulip
Black Tulip, Winner of Golden Palm Prize
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2013
Beverly Hills Film Festival *
Golden Palm Prize - The Black Tulip
Black Tulip, Winner of Golden Palm Prize
2012
Cinequest *
Official consideration - The Black Tulip
2011
NY International Film Festival *
Official Selection - The Black Tulip
2011
Salento International Film Festival *
Best Feature Film - The Black Tulip
Black Tulip wins best feature film
2011
Boston Film Festival *
Best Feature Film
Black Tulip, Winner of Best Feature Film
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2010
Academy Awards *
Official Top Select for Best Foreign Film - The Black Tulip
The Black Tulip was among the top ten selected films from around the world to be
considered by the Motion Picture Academy to be considered for Best Foreign Film.
2000
Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival *
Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award - Five Aces
Writer-Director - Five Aces – Winner
1998
William Morris Agency *
Writer of the Week - Martin Eden
With his first script, novel adaptation, Martin Eden, David was named,
William Morris's "Writer of the Week".
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