top of page
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_2042bb7351284f0f982e4787d37415e6f000.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1080,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/11062b_2042bb7351284f0f982e4787d37415e6f000.jpg)
John Pisano-Thomsen
award-winning writer
2019 academy nicholl semifinalist & quarter finalist
lyricist/composer/director/producer
connect
Writers Guild of Canada Registered #S16-00987
Writers Guild of American Registered #I289037
© Copyright 2016 by John Pisano-Thomsen
WINNER! - best feature screenplay
2017 CANADA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER! - best dramatic screenplay
2021 CORDILLERA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2017 RENO TAHOE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
platinum remi - best original drama
51ST WORLDFEST HOUSTON INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (2018)
WINNER! - bronze prize - best drama
2018 WORLD SERIES OF SCREENWRITING
WINNER! - SIERRA NEVADA AWARD
2017 MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
honorable mention
2021 GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL
2016 WILLIAMSBURG FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
finalist
2021 BEAUFORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2018 SWITZERLAND INT'L FILM FESTIVAL
2018 BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2018 CANADIAN DIVERSITY FILM FESTIVAL
2018 LAS VEGAS SCREENPLAY CONTEST (DRAMA)
2018 RIVER BEND FILM FESTIVAL SCRIPT COMPETITION
2017 OAXACA FILMFEST (OFFICIAL SELECTION -DRAMA)
2016 WEXFORD FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
semifinalist
2021 SEDONA INT'L FILM FESTIVAL
2020 EVOLUTION! MALLORCA INT'L FILM FESTIVAL
2018 OJAI FILM FESTIVAL
2018 OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
2017 RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2016 ORLANDO FILM FESTIVAL SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
quarterfinalist
2019 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP (Top 5%)
2019 CREATIVE SCREENWRITING SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
2017 BLUECAT SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
2017 FRESH VOICES SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
2017 WESCREENPLAY FEATURE CONTEST
2017 CINEQUEST SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
2ND ROUNDER (TOP 15%)
2016 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
2ND ROUNDER (TOP 20%)
2020 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
official selection
2018 AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
![NewConnect-4.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_ba4131719bb74eca9e5caf7a7c9e8087~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_512,h_728,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/NewConnect-4.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_4e8bbebbb7e64f2e9749979f7624f4f0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_183,h_110,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7677dc_4e8bbebbb7e64f2e9749979f7624f4f0~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_25e4678bee194930842c65d52cd3a84f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_130,h_117,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7677dc_25e4678bee194930842c65d52cd3a84f~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_7a07b976666e415db577c94cf8b787ac~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_192,h_91,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7677dc_7a07b976666e415db577c94cf8b787ac~mv2.png)
sYNOPSIS
It's 1989. 19-year-old want-to-be artist, Kip Evers uncovers a disturbing secret kept by his mother for 20 years: the man known all his life as his father is NOT his biological father. Betrayed and sick of being forced by his parents to study business, Kip runs away to New York City to access a trust left by his bio father, pursue his passion in art, and to find some meaning to his life. Within days, Kip's life converges with those of a larger-than-life transgender guru, an all-female answering service, and a 5-year-old boy -- all which eventually leads him to an awakening of his place in the world and an unforeseen, once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_fc9ec34788cd4a7484ecbec0bdaa453c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_165,h_110,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7677dc_fc9ec34788cd4a7484ecbec0bdaa453c~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_6e1e687fd3e6489693cdb264ab812cd4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_106,h_106,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7677dc_6e1e687fd3e6489693cdb264ab812cd4~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_e9c07c6742bf470884a09808684df076~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_158,h_158,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7677dc_e9c07c6742bf470884a09808684df076~mv2.png)
![output-onlinepngtools.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_f54191aa5a514e6d97fb341b03536773~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_330,h_330,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/output-onlinepngtools.png)
![Academy.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7677dc_41bddb83f62946f69df281b5850f52b0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_86,h_99,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Academy.png)
Connect is about learning to trust who you are, taking leaps of faith, accepting that everything in life happens for a reason, and, that we're all connected by something greater than ourselves.
noTABLE CRITIQUES
2017 academy nicholl fellowship
"This is an ambitious drama that explores themes of family, acceptance and coming-of-age through the story of Kip, a sullen college student who receives a new lease on life when he discovers that his parents aren't who he thinks they are and is able to move to New York City... Whether it was the heart-breaking tragedy of Xaviera... or Kip's own quest toward self-realization, this screenplay has no shortage of heart."
2017 table-read my screenplay
"This script was a joy to read. It’s chock full of dynamic and vibrant scenes, the characters, each trying to make sense of their lives, spring off the page, and the dialogue sings. The writer doesn’t shy away from tough subjects either, and gives people who live differently an authentic voice that deserves to be heard... This script had me all over the place emotionally. I was up, I was down, and I was upside down--it left me drained, to be honest. That’s a good thing. This script affected me, and it got me riled up. It hits so many great notes of character and emotion and this journey of realization, of finding oneself."
2017 bluecat screenplay competition
"Connect for the most of the time feels almost the opposite - disconnected, but in the best possible way. This story really reminds us of the baggage that each of us carries around, and what kind of a burden that places on us when we try to get rid of it. [Connect's] use of dialogue and character really set the story apart from others in the same genre... The relationship between Kip and Xav is purely something for the ages and really something that we haven't seen before. It's beautiful and touching... An original story... Well done!"
2015 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP
"The setup for the story is unique and intriguing and keeps the reader interested in seeing how everything will play out not only for the protagonist but for the supporting characters as well.... Each character feels authentic and real, especially Xav who is a great mentor character for the protagonist and creates nice comic relief throughout the script... Overall, Connect is an interesting coming of age story with unique insight into the different lives of people and how, despite our differences, we’re all connected."
2016 Slamdance Screenplay Competition
"This is a charming and unusual story. I love Xav and the unexpected direction she and the story take."
2016 bentonville film festival/lifetime screenplay competition
"The film is very original in its colorful cast of characters. Kip’s relationship with Xav is particularly dynamic and makes for an engaging and at times hilarious story... Overall, the script is very well written, the narrative arc has a nice pacing and the cast of characters are a delight."
2017 cinequest screenplay competition
"Extremely engaging, lifelike story with remarkable spirit... Good plot intro, really hooks in the reader/audience... The dialogue is very well written, very intriguing and easy to follow... Great execution and direction. Loved the ending."
bottom of page