Our Jury

Markus Meedt is a London-based writer and director whose work spans screenwriting and filmmaking, with a strong focus on genre storytelling that blends contemporary horror, grounded drama, and dark comedy. Born in Germany and raised across Sweden and Australia, Markus brings an international perspective to his writing, which is often shaped by his diverse cultural background.

As a filmmaker, he has directed multiple award-winning short films that have screened at international festivals including Aesthetica Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, FrightFest, and the Cypriot Film Festival. Alongside his directing work, Markus has built a strong presence as a screenwriter through collaborations that have reached the finalist stages of major competitions such as the Nicholl Fellowship, ScreenCraft Horror, and Scriptapalooza.

Markus specializes in screenwriting and directing, with particular strength in genre filmmaking and tone-driven narrative construction. His international upbringing informs his creative voice, allowing him to integrate diverse influences into cohesive, character-led stories that balance tension, humour, and realism.

Markus has directed multiple award-winning short films and has screened at prominent festivals including Austin Film Festival, Aesthetica Film Festival, FrightFest, and the Cypriot Film Festival. As a screenwriter, he has been recognized as a finalist in major competitions including the Nicholl Fellowship, ScreenCraft Horror, and Scriptapalooza, reflecting consistent industry recognition of his writing across genre-focused projects.

Nieves Garcia Perchin is a Spanish writer and director based in New York City whose work focuses on psychologically driven storytelling that explores mental health, relationships, trauma, and emotional displacement. She is particularly drawn to complex character studies that examine how personal struggles intersect with family dynamics and identity.

Alongside her creative work, Nieves is an active member of the Filmshop community in New York and participates in The Sandbox, a workshop environment dedicated to developing directing skills through regular practice and collaboration. She also works professionally as a script supervisor and assistant director, gaining hands-on experience across different stages of film production.

Nieves specializes in psychological thrillers and character-driven drama, with a strong focus on mental health narratives, emotional tension, and visually expressive storytelling. Her background in script supervision and assistant directing provides her with a practical understanding of production, pacing, and visual storytelling, strengthening her ability to translate complex emotional states into cinematic form.

Nieves has achieved more than 15 national and international festival selections for her short films Static Journey and Little Bird. Her screenplay Room Service was recognized as the winner in its category, further highlighting her ability to craft intense, psychologically layered narratives that resonate within the festival landscape.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

University of Tennessee

New York Film Academy