Film and Television Director Joy Kecken will serve as a guest judge for the Virginia Screenwriters Forum’s (VSF) third annual First Act, First Look Screenplay Contest, which is hosted on Filmfreeway.com from April 1 through May 31.A show runner, producer and librettist, as well as a playwright, Kecken has worked in television productions, films and documentaries for over 20 years. She has written and directed for the critically acclaimed HBO series, THE WIRE and served as an executive producer on Apple+’s SWAGGER. As a consulting producer she has worked with some of the team from SWAGGERon the upcoming Nat Geo’s Genius series for the MLK/X season. She also served as a co-executive producer on FX’s KINDRED. Kecken’s feature, ALL-IN, is in development with Maven Pictures.
Her additional writing credits include MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM, MARVEL’S CLOAK AND DAGGER and HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET. Kecken’s shorts and feature documentary that she wrote and co-directed screened at over 30 film festivals and appeared on Showtime and BET. “VSF is elated and honored to have a judge of Joy’s stature,” said Robin Farmer, VSF director. “Our contest is increasingly attracting talented writers near and far. In 2023, we had a submission from a Scotland-based screenwriter.” A $500 cash prize will be presented to the Grand Prize Winner at the 2024 VSF Short Film Showcase at the Ashland Theatre, Saturday, August 24, noon to 4 p.m. The showcase is free.
