2024 Writers SEarch Winners
Announced TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, PENSACOLA
Del and Emerson with writer/filmmaker William Mettlach and the cast of SMOKE BREAKS, winner of Best Short in the 2023 DSF Writers Search at the World Premiere of his short at the Stamped Film Festival in Pensacola!
It was a thrilling night celebrating the success from our first time meeting William at Stamped, through his submission and winning of our Writers Search, to the production of the short with Calliope Films, a Pensacola-based production company, to all celebrating together at this premiere!
The short has already been accepted to five film festivals, with William winning Best Director from one!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, ATLANTA
Attending the world premiere production of A THIRD WAY, by Lee Osorio, winner of Best Play in our 2023 DSF Writers Search and produced by Actor's Express in Atlanta with the support of our DSF Play Production Grant.
It was an incredible night seeing a stunning production of this new work with Del, Emerson, Board Co-Chairs Stuart Bell & Louise Beard, Board members Jim LaVeck, Kishor Ryan and Joan Furman, along with Ann Walker, Artistic Director Freddie Ashley, Director Lauren Emily Morris and this incredible cast!
MEET OUR 2023 WRITERS SEARCH WINNERS
BEST PLAY
LEE OSORIO
"A Third Way"
BEST SCREENPLAY
TIMOTHY JAY SMITH
"Istanbul Crossing"
BEST SHORT/WEB SERIES
WILLIAM AVERY METTLACH
"Smoke Breaks"
WATCH DEL & EMERSON INTERVIEW THE
2023 WINNERS
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM
OUR 2024 FESTIVAL
IN ATLANTA
READ ABOUT 2023 OUR WINNERS HERE
MEET OUR 2023 FINALISTS HERE
MEET OUR 2023 SEMIFINALISTS HERE
MEET OUR 2021 WINNERS HERE
A BRAND NEW
ADVENTURE
WRITER. DIRECTOR. PRODUCER.
TEACHER. STANDUP COMEDIAN. MENTOR.
THE DEL SHORES FOUNDATION
FINDING AND FACILITATING SUCCESS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOUTHERN LGBTQ+ WRITERS
Del Shores has had an incredible career across theatre, film and television as a writer, director, producer, lecturer, teacher, coach and standup comedian. His most explosive hit, Sordid Lives, was inspired by his own coming out journey to his southern family. Since then, he has occupied a unique space as a gay southern writer, exploring and sharing the stories of people who often have not seen themselves reflected in the entertainment they consume.
In his success, Del realized that the hardest part is getting the opportunity, exposure and guidance it takes to open the first doors in the entertainment industry. The Del Shores Foundation realizes that the next generation of southern LGBTQ+ writers are out there, and we are creating programs that lead to real opportunities for those living in the South, just starting out.