Winning Script Pages
Since the program’s inception in 1986, 16 Nicholl-winning scripts have been produced. Click the links below to read scene excerpts from eight of those scripts.
Doug Atchison (2000 Nicholl Fellow) – “Akeelah and the Bee”
Written and directed by Doug Atchison, “Akeelah and the Bee” opened theatrically on April 28, 2006. The film starred Lawrence Fishburne, Angela Basset and Keke Palmer. The linked pages have been excerpted from the shooting script. Read
Radha Bharadwaj (1989 Nicholl Fellow) – “Closet Land”
In addition to writing the film, Radha Bharadwaj also directed “Closet Land.” The film, which starred Alan Rickman and Madeleine Stowe, opened theatrically on March 6, 1991. Read
Raymond De Felitta (1991 Nicholl Fellow) – “Two Family House”
Two Family House, starring Michael Rispoli and Kelly Macdonald and also directed by Raymond De Felitta, won the Audience Award at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and opened theatrically on October 6, 2000. The linked pages have been excerpted from Raymond’s Nicholl Fellowship year draft. Read
Robert Edwards (2001 Nicholl Fellow) – “Land of the Blind”
Robert Edwards wrote and directed “Land of the Blind,” which premiered at the 2006 Rotterdam Film Festival and opened theatrically on June 16, 2006. The film starred Ralph Fiennes, Donald Sutherland and Lara Flynn Boyle. Read
Myron Goble (1993 Nicholl Fellow) – “Down in the Delta”
Directed by Maya Angelou, “Down in the Delta” opened theatrically on December 25, 1998. The film starred Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman Jr., Esther Rolle and Wesley Snipes. Read
Ehren Kruger (1996 Nicholl Fellow) – “Arlington Road”
Starring Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack and Hope Davis, ”Arlington Road” opened theatrically on July 7, 1999. The linked pages have been excerpted from the shooting script. Read
Jim McGlynn (1989 Nicholl Fellow) – “Traveler”
“Traveller” opened theatrically on April 18, 1997 and starred Bill Paxton, Mark Wahlberg, Julianna Margulies and James Gammon. The linked pages have been excerpted from Jim’s Nicholl entry draft. Read
Dawn O’Leary (1993 Nicholl Fellow) – “Island of Brilliance”
Directed by Melissa Painter and starring Lauren Ambrose, Amy Madigan, Christopher Lloyd and John Savage, Admissions (its release title) premiered at the 2004 Mill Valley Film Festival. The linked pages have been excerpted from Dawn’s Nicholl entry script. Read
Mike Rich (1998 Nicholl Fellow) – “Finding Forrester”
Directed by Gus Van Zant, “Finding Forrester” starred Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham and Anna Paquin. The film opened theatrically on December 19, 2000. The linked pages have been excerpted from the shooting script. Read
