CONGRATULATIONS to all finalists, but especially the three SWW members -- Alvin Easter, David CC Erickson, and Patricia Fox. Half of the six finalists are members of the SWW Sunday Night Script Group. Well done! St. Paul, MN — (April 22, 2010)-- IFP Minnesota proudly announces the six finalists for the 2010 McKnight Artist Fellowships in Screenwriting. The McKnight has grown to be the most prestigious screenwriting competition in the Upper Midwest, with one of the largest cash awards offered in screenwriting competitions. Applicants must reside in Minnesota. Each applicant submits one narrative feature screenplay, which is judged by professional screenwriters, directors, producers, development executives, and literary agents/managers outside Minnesota. Each of the two winning Fellows will receive a $25,000 cash award for excellence in the art of screenwriting. The winner will be announced some time in June.

Tuesday, May 11th - 7 to 9:30 p.m. - Title: "Journey in the First Direction" Writer: Elizabeth Dickinson Bio: Elizabeth has been a member of SWW since about 2000. "Journey of the First Direction" was her first screenplay, based on her own short story. The first draft was workshopped through SWW and had a public reading in 2001. It simultaneously made it to the semi-finals of Scriptapalooza and later was re-written under David Grant's mentorship. Genre: Drama Logline: When the recently-divorced mother of eleven-year-old Sophia moves them back to her old hometown, Sophia's adjustment problems are compounded when her wish "to matter" unexpectedly comes true through the magical powers of her mother's humpbacked babysitter and a nearly-blind mole. Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC) Technical Buidling, Rm T-1020 (1st Floor Executive Conference Room) 1501 Hennepin Avenue S Minneapolis, MN 55403 Parking - $5 in ramp (connected by skyway) or metered street parking Everyone is welcome to read and give feedback on the script at these monthly table readings. Those present are assigned to read the parts and narration aloud. To be elligible for a reading, you must be a current member. Please contact us via the website for consideration.

Tuesday, May 18th - The first 15 pages of the top five feature-length scripts submitted by SWW members will be read by local professional actors before a live audience. Bring your friends and family! The audience votes for their favorite. Prizes: $100 and screenwriting software courtesy of Mariner Software. Tuesday, May 18th 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Comedy Sportz Free Social Mixer (self-pay) 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Independent (next door) Calhoun Square, 2nd floor Corner of Hennepin and Lake Uptown Minneapolis

Screenwriters' Workshop seeks short screenplay entries over the coming months for the 2010 Script to Screen Challenge. Script to Screen gives screenwriters the opportunity to write with production values in mind and have the winning short script shot by a Twin Cities director with a budget of $2000 during June, July and August of 2010. There will be three contest months with each month requiring a different theme. Writers are encouraged to enter a new script in all three months. The deadline is the 1st of each month. • March 2010: Theme is RED / READ - Deadline date March 1st • April 2010: Theme is WHITE / WHITE - Deadline date April 1st • May 2010: Theme is BLUE / BLEW - Deadline date May 1st