THE DEFIANT ONE
HISTORICAL, INDIGENOUS, FEMALE-LED SCREENPLAY
THE DEFIANT ONE - Written by Veialu Aila-Unsworth
On a Pacific Island colony, an Indigenous girl accidentally gets her brother arrested and must save him from being executed.
"Recommend" in script coverage (top 2-5% of scripts).
One of 10 screenplays chosen for The Black List's CAPE List ~ Second Round of the Sundance Development Track ~ The Black List x WIF Residence Longlist ~ Special Mention at UK Online Pitchbox.
WAR DANCER
HISTORICAL , FEMALE-LED, FEATURE SCREENPLAY & ONE-HOUR PILOT
WAR DANCER - Written by Veialu Aila-Unsworth
A teenage girl, forced into an arranged marriage, dreams of being a dancer, falls in love and must escape the Japanese invasion of Burma, World War II.
"Recommend" in script coverage (top 2-5% of scripts).
BOMBAY BABY
DRAMA, INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY, IN-DEVELOPMENT
BOMBAY BABY - Written by Veialu Aila-Unsworth
While grieving from a great loss, a woman travels to India seeking solace — but when she’s swept into Mumbai’s glittering world of Bollywood stars and dreamers, she must confront the illusions of fame and the truths she’s been running from.
"This story exposes a very talented writer with a strong and clear story to tell."
New Zealand Writers Guild about THE DEFIANT ONE
"What a great piece! This was truly a pleasure to read. From structure, character development, world-building, dialogue – everything worked together effortlessly to immerse the reader in this sweeping war time romance."
Austin Film Festival Script Contest about WAR DANCER
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
"Epic in scope and intimate in emotion, “War Dancer” is an exhilarating story of romance, defiance, and dance. 8/10"
Barb Doyle, Extreme Screenwriting LA
*Top 2-5% of scripts
★★★★★
Recommend* in script coverage - THE DEFIANT ONE
Recommend* in script coverage - WAR DANCER
The Black List Reader (blcklst.com)
2024 Wellington UNESCO Creative City of Film Best Film Award
★★★★★
2024 Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival