Congratulations toEric Nazarian (1999 Project:Involve) who was just selected as one of 13 finalists for the 23rd annual Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is open to any individual who has not sold or optioned a screenplay or teleplay for more than $5,000 or received a fellowship or prize that includes a first look clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer's work.

Eric was selected for his scriptGiants. We are screening Eric's debut feature, The Blue Hour, next week at the LA River Center and Gardens--if you'd like to attend, or want more information on the screening, see our events section.

The 13 finalists for this year's Nicholls were selected from out of 5,224 submitted scripts. Out of the 13 scripts the Nicholl committee will select five winners, each of whom will receive a $30,000 grant. Past Nicholl winners include FIND Fellow (and P:I mentor) Rebecca Sonnenshine (2004 Directors Lab), who co-wrote the film The Haunting of Molly Hartley, which opens later this month.

Julie Siegel October 13, 2008