God Country Family Christian Film Festival is pleased to announce the finalists and winners of the 2019 screenplay competition.

Feature Screenplay Finalists (alphabetical order):

A MANGER MIRACLE written by Jeanne Dukes

When three young teens cause mischief in their small town during their Christmas vacation, their community's compassionate response leads them to life-changing encounters with God. Inspired by true events.

A SHERIFF'S WAR written by J. Jermaine Jones

When the President of the United States issues a nationwide gun ban, a local county sheriff stirs up the nation to rise against him.

AKTION T-4 written by John Martins III

In Nazi Germany, a Lutheran bishop and a Catholic deacon fight to stop Hitler's forced euthanasia program, "Aktion T-4."

THE APOSTLE written by John Martins III

Twenty years after Christ's crucifixion, "Doubting" Thomas Didymus journeys to India to befriend Untouchables.

ARIZONA SUNRISE written by John Martins III

In present-day Arizona, with the help of his basketball coach, a teenage boy overcomes his parents' separation, and, death of his best friend.

AT THE MERCY OF FAITH written by Samuel Taylor

A preacher who gave up on his faith has to face the ghosts of his past to save his family - and his soul.

DUMBEST GENERATION written by Leslie Lyshkov

A twenty-something slacker is brought by mistake to 1942 by a Navy WAVES physicist who seeks the knowledge of a history major from the future to defeat the Japanese Navy. The young slacker comes to recognize the importance of this role and to earn the WAVE physicist's respect uncovers information which may rescue the US Navy from defeat at the Battle of Midway.

FRIENDS OR FOES written by Tim Quinn

Against the backdrop of WWII, a German sniper of the AfrikaKorps and a U.S. Combat engineer find themselves the sole survivors of a battle in the North African desert. They must reluctantly join forces to escape a marauding band of desert nomads and the unforgiving desolation of the Sahara desert. The story jumps two years forward to the European theatre of war. The German stands up to the Nazis and saves hundreds of Jews from their impending demise.

IMPERVIOUS written by Lanny Smith

A disillusioned teacher seeking his true purpose in life finds peace working with students with special needs but comes face-to-face with evil when dangerous anarchists attack his school.

JEFFERSON, FRANKLIN AND LARRY written by John Martins III

A high-ranking NASA official asks a high school history teacher to go back in time and bring back to modern-day America two of its founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

LEVI written by Jasper Speed

About a boy and his dog, and how he loses the dog and keeps pressuring his family to get another one.

MILLION TO ONE written by Scott Michael Branan

When Martin puts an anonymous ad in the NY Times asking a million people to send him one dollar, he is caught off guard when the plan actually works - getting him into hot water with his girlfriend, the city, and the IRS; and the odds of him learning the true value of people over money is about a million to one.

OPEN WOUNDS written by Marc Allen

Erica knows that her school is full of wounded people. She's put together a plan to turn things around but one person stands in her way. She'll do what she has to in order to stand up for what she believes in. Her faith guides them all to the truth.

PERICLES AND RUTH written by John Martins III

In ancient Greece, amid earthquake, famine, and war, a young Jewish slave tries to convince a pagan prince to convert to the one true God.

THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAL written by Mike Reid

When a rescued Seal becomes the First Pet of the United States, she discovers that with her new role as leader of the free pets, comes great responsibility, such as having the President’s back.

SORRY, I NEVER KNEW YOU written by Jimmie D. Smith

While returning from their twentieth wedding anniversary in the mountains, a family has a wreck killing their two young daughters. It begins to tear the family apart while they play the blame game until the husband decides to move out and try a trial separation He begins to drink, lie, and strikes up a relationship with a co-worker, and after a night on the town, he returns to his hotel room where he falls asleep and dreams of going to heaven. There he witnesses Jesus judging the saved and casting the lost into the burning flames of hell. Jesus gives him a second chance, and when he wakes up, it is Sunday morning and he rushes to church and asks the forgiveness of his church, family, and God. It ends with a surprise gift from God.

THE RANGER written by Timothy Buck

An explosion in Afghanistan leaves Army Ranger, Nate Thomas with the mind of a six-year old. His son, Nicky, mentors him, while Nate’s English wife, Ann, struggles with having lost the man she married just before the war. Living in rural England the entire village gossips about this crazy “Yank Colonel” wearing diapers. One day, Nate reads a comic, and decides to become a super hero, The Ranger. After Nate is beaten by the town bully, a local bodybuilder and his funny mates take a liking to him. Humor, inspiration and tragedy follows.

TRIAL BY TRIAL written by John Martins III

Based on a true story, three Christian missionaries face criminal charges in Greece after Communists falsely accuse them of kidnapping. Written with permission.

THE WELL written by Tom Bhramayana and Michelle Barfield

A strong willed young doctor, Ava Lindley, and texan oil driller ,Jake Barringer, gets approval to start a water well for the people of Burundi, Africa. Little do they know how challenging mentally, emotionally, and spiritually this task will be.

WORRIER THE WARRIOR written by Enrique Jr. Vizcaino

After cheating on his girlfriend, Simon goes from one activity to another to rid himself of the guilt. This tension is relieved when God intervenes in his life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Feature Screenplay Winners

Winner: A SHERIFF'S WAR written by J. Jermaine Jones

1st Runner Up: THE RANGER written by Timothy Buck

2nd Runner Up: A MANGER MIRACLE written by Jeanne Dukes

Short Screenplay Finalists (alphabetical order):

THE LOOK OF LOVE written by James E. Clark

On their sixty fourth wedding anniversary a couple's love and devotion is obvious even when times are difficult.

NUMBER 28 written by Fred Perry

While watching TV in a medical clinic's waiting room, a troubled young woman has an epiphany that alters the course of her life.

OPEN MIKE (Pilot - “How Arm Wrestling Got Me to Texas”) written by Timothy Buck and Barry McKenna

Struggling stand up comic, Mike McKenna, a new Christian, finds himself fresh out of rehab, and on the road to a new life in Los Angeles. Stranded in his wife's home town, Travis, Texas, he tries to make sense of how his new life view fits his old way of thinking.

Short Screenplay Winners

Winner: NUMBER 28 written by Fred Perry

1st Runner Up: THE LOOK OF LOVE written by James E. Clark

2nd Runner Up: OPEN MIKE (Pilot - “How Arm Wrestling Got Me to Texas”) written by Timothy Buck and Barry McKenna