The jury at the Screenwriters Workshop’s 2007 ScreenLabs Challenge awarded the top prize for Best Film to “Forgotten,” by Minneapolis director Christopher Gegax. Written by Richfield screenwriter Julie Meyer, the dramatic film revolves around a nun’s chance encounter with a troubled young woman, and focuses on themes of judgment, understanding, mercy and compassion. “Forgotten” is the fourth short film by 36-year-old Gegax, after “A Specialist in His Field” which was shown in festivals across the nation. “It feels great to be recognized by leaders from Minnesota’s film community. This wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for Julie Meyer writing a great script,” said Gegax. Meyer took home the Best Screenplay award for “Forgotten.”
ScreenLabs awarded the Runner-up prize to Minneapolis writing team and co-director’s Garth Berquist and Mark Lyon for “Blind Fate,” a comedy about a blind date with a twist. The Audience award also went to Garth Berquist and Mark Lyon for “Blind Fate.”
The 2007 Screenlabs Challenge asked screenwriters to write and produce a short film with the theme “A Simple Twist of Fate,” and required Minneapolis’ Stone Arch Bridge be used as one of the locations. Minnesota film professionals making up the jury included Minneapolis Community and Technical College Cinema Department chair Hafed Bouassida, Director Craig Rice, Producer Christine Walker, and Cinematographer Greg Winter. ScreenLabs is a program of the Screenwriters Workshop.
