Adam Perry's film script ranked 4th in Reddit Screenwriting Competition

Island screenwriter and film director Adam Perry's latest script placed fourth in an online international screenwriting competition that attracted 200 worldwide entries.

When he submitted A Small Fortune to Reddit's 2016 Screenwriting Competition, Perry said he didn't know much about the contest but decided to put in the latest draft of his script after seeing the British actor Jeremy Irons was one of a 15-member judging panel.

"I submitted it and didn't think much of it," said Perry.

Until Tuesday, that is, when he heard his script took fourth place. He was both impressed and surprised by the news.

Story feedback

While he won't receive any money for his ranking in the competition, Perry will get free notes on the script from experts at the UK-based agency ShoreScripts, the group that started the contest. He said it's great to get professional feedback.

"ShoreScripts' mission is to find new talent," said Perry.

The four to 10 pages of notes will weigh in on the premise, pacing and marketability of the story, among other things.

Perry said story editing like this is something he'd have to get done before selling or making the movie anyway.

'Very Island-based story' has international appeal

A Small Fortune is about a down-on-his-luck Irish Moss harvester whose prospects turn around after a bag of money washes up on shore.

But before he can decide how to spend it, a body washes up too.

Perry was concerned the very Island-based story might not translate beyond P.E.I.'s borders.

"I wondered if people would say, 'What is Irish moss? Why is there a horse in the water?" said Perry.

"But this is proof that the story and plot are working outside the region."

Hoping to shoot in 2017

The plan is to shoot some scenes that can be used to market the film this summer.

Perry hopes to be actually filming on P.E.I., with his producers Jason Arsenault and Jenna MacMillan, in the summer of 2017.

Perry just attended the Toronto Screenwriting Conference after A Small Fortune was named one of four 2016 Features First films. It's a training program offered by The National Screen Institute of Canada.

The NSI says the Features First program gets results: 18 feature films have been successfully produced since the course launched.