Variety celebrates 10 screenwriters to watch at the Santa Fe Festival

Variety will release its annual list of 10 screenwriters on October 11 and recognize the honorees at this year’s Santa Fe International Film Festival. This year, for the first time, Variety is partnering with SFIFF to present its annual list of Screenwriters to Watch.

As Variety continues to celebrate emerging writers, the ten selected writers will be featured in a panel discussion at the festival on October 18, moderated by Todd Gilchrist, Variety’s senior focus editor. Tickets are now available here.

“Variety is thrilled to partner with the Santa Fe International Film Festival and celebrate our 2024 screenwriters to watch,” said Gilchrist. “The people on this year’s list all come from different backgrounds with unique experiences and unique viewpoints, and they have already begun to make waves with their undeniable creativity. We are proud to honor them in Santa Fe while the rest of the entertainment industry gets a glimpse of who they are and what they can do.”

“The Santa Fe International Film Festival is a unique celebration of cinematic excellence where audiences can experience everything from groundbreaking independent films to award-winning features,” said Jacques Paisner, festival artistic director. “With highlights such as the opening film “The Piano Lesson,” the closing film “Out of My Mind,” the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bryan Cranston and the world premiere of the documentary “Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light,” this is this year’s Festival promises to be an unforgettable event. Presenting 184 films, including must-see titles like “Better Man,” “Nickel Boys” and “Nightbitch,” SFIFF truly captures the spirit of creative storytelling in one of the country’s most vibrant cultural destinations.”

Previous honorees on Variety’s “10 Screenwriters to Watch” list include Martin McDonagh, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, Liz Meriwether, Lena Dunham, Taylor Sheridan, Julian Fellowes, Andrew Haigh, Danny Strong, Kelly Fremon Craig, Liz Hannah , Tracy Oliver and Krysty Wilson. Cairns.

The Santa Fe International Film Festival runs October 16-20 and begins with Malcolm Washington’s “The Piano Lesson” and ends with Amber Sealey’s “Out of My Mind.” The festival will honor award-winning actor Bryan Cranston with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Over five days, 184 films will be shown at the festival, including 42 feature films, 24 documentaries and 118 short films. Notable films include “Better Man,” a documentary about Robbie Williams by Michael Gracey; Andrea Arnold’s “Bird” with Barry Keoghan; “Nickel Boys,” adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead; “Nightbitch” by Marielle Heller with Amy Adams; Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” with him and Kieran Culkin; Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door,” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton; Tim Fehlbaum’s “5. September” with John Magaro and Peter Sarsgaard; and William Goldenberg’s “Unstoppable,” starring Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle and Michael Peña.

The Santa Fe International Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating artistic excellence in film and presenting a diverse range of international and independent films. As an Oscar-qualifying festival, winners of the Best Animated Short Film, Best Narrative Short Film and Best Documentary Short Film categories are eligible for Oscar submission. Since its inception in 2009, SFIFF has grown into the largest and most anticipated film event in New Mexico. With more than 300 hours of programming, the festival has hosted the likes of Oliver Stone, Shirley MacLaine and Robert Redford, while showcasing a range of critically acclaimed films, from Oscar winners to indie gems. Beyond its annual October event, SFIFF enriches Santa Fe’s artistic landscape and extends the city’s tourism season, making it a dynamic center for cinematic and cultural innovation. SFIFF offers artists professional opportunities and unmatched audience participation in the biggest little film city in the world.