our jury

Melanie Abrams Fierstein

Austin Film Festival Semifinalist

  • Location: Based in Los Angeles, California, Melanie Abrams Fierstein is a first-generation American screenwriter known for her compelling character-driven dramas, adaptations, and true stories.

  • Professional Background: Prior to her screenwriting career, Melanie was a successful speechwriter, organizer, and strategist, contributing to the campaigns of high-profile political figures such as Secretary Hillary Clinton and Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with many Congressional and local candidates across the United States.

  • Accolades: Melanie’s talent has earned her a spot on the 2024 Austin Film Festival’s “25 Screenwriters To Watch” list. Her scripts have also appeared on Coverfly’s Red List and ranked in the Top 1%. Over a dozen accolades have come her way from notable institutions like the NBC TV Writers Program, Screencraft, Golden Script Competition, Diverse Voices, and, of course, the Oxford Script Awards.

  • Adaptation Projects: She holds options to adapt THE DOMESTIC DIVA, a New York Times-bestselling mystery novel series, as well as THE GIRL YOU LOST by bestselling author Kathryn Croft, which has sold over a million copies. Both projects are currently in development with production companies.

  • Interests and Hobbies: When she’s not writing, Melanie enjoys reading murder mysteries, spending time at the beach, and visiting Harry Potter World.

Scott Cox

Academy Nicholl Fellowship Semifinalist

  • Professional Background: After retiring from a successful business career in 2013, Scott Cox shifted his creative focus to screenwriting, quickly establishing himself in a local group of screenwriting enthusiasts.

  • Screenwriting Specialization: Scott specializes in quirky, character-driven comedies that cleverly integrate serious messages into engaging narratives. His ability to create distinctive worlds enhances the unique appeal of his scripts.

Screenwriting Achievements:

  • Authored ten screenplays, showcasing his commitment and versatility in the craft.
  • His debut script, Hot Toddy, was a semi-finalist in the Academy Nicholl Fellowship and won the Fade-In Grand Prize for True Story/Biography.
  • Other notable works include Destiny, recognized in several prestigious screenplay competitions, and The Bridal Posse, which reached the semi-finals in the Screencraft Virtual Pitch competition.

Current Projects:

  • Scott is currently working on a pilot for a TV mini-series about La Salle’s 1682 expedition, demonstrating his skill in historical re-enactments. He is also developing a script about an imagined conflict between Arizona and California in the 1930s, reflecting his interest in unique historical narratives.

Robert Simpson

An independent film maker with over 20 years of experience in screenwriting, cinematography, editing, producing and directing.

Screenwriting Portfolio
  • A STORY OF THE LONDON FOG
  • BEHIND THE MASK AT MIDNIGHT
  • A STOLEN SEASON
  • THE STEPPES OF SCEVA
  • SWIMMING IN RADIO LIGHT
Education
  • University of Tennessee
  • New York Film Academy

Awards

  • 2022 Nicholl Fellowship semifinalist
  • 2023 Page Awards semifinalist
  • 2022 Austin Film Festival quarterfinalist
  • Oxford Script Awards Best Feature-Winter 23/24
  • 2022 ScreenCraft Drama quarterfinalist
  • 2023 Nashville Film Festival quarterfinalist
  • 2023 Final Draft Big Break quarterfinalist
  • Page Turner Awards Longlist

Bryan P. Regan

Academy Nicholl Fellowship Semifinalist

  • Professional Background: Bryan Regan combines his career as an attorney with a burgeoning screenwriting portfolio. Based in New Jersey, he is both a dedicated legal professional and an aspiring screenwriter.

  • Literary Contributions: Beyond screenplays, Bryan has authored a novel and several short stories that align with his screenwriting themes, showing his versatility and depth as a writer.

Screenwriting Success:

  • His screenplay Beacon Beyond the Bay  was recognized as a semifinalist in the Academy Nicholl contest, placing it in the top 2.5% of over 5,500 entries.
  • Bryan’s screenplays are characterized by their deep narrative structure and character development, showcasing his ability to craft stories that resonate with audiences and critics alike.

Bryan’s significant accomplishments in screenwriting, coupled with his professional expertise as an attorney, bring a valuable blend of discipline and creative insight to our jury panel at the Oxford Script Awards, ensuring a high level of evaluation for our participants.