Editor

Houston International Sports Film Festival, one of few film festivals in the world dedicated to sports, announced the winner for its Sports Script Championship, presented by Event Horizon Films:

Gold: Blue Ball by Bruce Dundore

When the baseball slugging grandson of an aging Italian gang leader falls in love with a daughter of the rival Irish gang leader, he suggests the two gangs break Sunday blue laws and play a game to avert all-out war, but when the Irish recruit Ty Cobb, the Italians know they’re sunk, until they convince the young Babe Ruth to play for them.

Silver: Hail Mary by Stan Williamson

Named by her father after a football pass with little chance of success, a quick-witted former pro beach volleyball player takes on the exclusive boys club of professional sports by becoming an aggressive sports agent/attorney.

Bronze: The Color of the Puck by Mark Golik

Amidst the backdrop of the American civil rights movement, Canadian Willie O'Ree overcomes racial prejudice and a career-threatening injury to become "the Jackie Robinson of hockey," the first Black man to play in the National Hockey League.

In true sports fashion, advancing writers witnessed their scripts go head to head in a tournament bracket until one story was named champion (see attachment) at the award ceremony, held at Discovery Green on June 6, 2021.

Houston International Sports Film Festival is on a mission to provide emerging filmmakers with a platform to launch and make a positive impact in people’s lives through the power of film. HISFF looks for stories that go beyond the field and show the relationship between sports and life. The Screenplay Championship works to drive more attention to sports stories by recognizing the unsung writers of these inspiring scripts.The Screenplay Championship, presented by Event Horizon Films, is different from other competitions because it provides real world critique from readers at professional rep companies, offers unique sports-themed prizes and focuses solely on sports stories.