AoBFF SCREENPLAY READERS
Our roster of professional readers have worked with companies including DISNEY, ABC, NBC, NETFLIX, HULU, SUNDANCE, BBC AMERICA, AMC and more.
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LAURIE ASHBOURNE
Laurie Ashbourne got her start in the industry with Walt Disney Studios. She is a writer-producer, artist, and script doctor with over 30 produced credits to her name and many in various stages of production right now, including an animated feature with the director of MULAN, and an original story she wrote (10-31) was recently purchased and fast-tracked to production with acclaimed producers Eli Roth and Roger Birnbaum. A feature length Christmas comedy she wrote and produced is in global release (2023). She also acts as a creative producer in the documentary space, with renown directors such as David Modigliani (RUNNING WITH BETO, 61 BULLETS, CRAWFORD) and Robert Greenwald (XANADU, STEAL THIS MOVIE) and his Brave New Films banner where she co-produced, SUPPRESSED - the fight to vote (2020), and RACIALLY CHARGED (2021), featuring two-time Oscar winner, Mahershala Ali. She also runs a busy development services company for independent films called LA Story STudio. She is the author of Values: Rethinking Hollywood Film Investment for Maximum ROI & Impact. A book that dares to challenge the business model for financing films by leveraging impact investing, which has taken over the VC space in every sector except entertainment. Laurie's IMDb Page |
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RONI BROWN-BYRD
Roni Brown-Byrd is a professional script consultant. Having read for major screenplay contests like the prestigious Nicholl Fellowships for over 10 years, she helps writers through every step of the script writing process with an insider perspective on what the major contest, producers and productions companies want from a screenplay. Over the span of 14 years, Roni Brown has worked on a plethora of network productions for ABC, Adult Swim, TLC, NBC, HULU, Netflix, and has served on the writing staff for Black Dynamite, the animated series on Adult Swim, LaGolda for Discovery Kids, Daniel Spellbound for Netflix, Math Party for Netflix/Jim Henson Studios and more! Follow Roni on X |
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HARRY DIEDUONNE
For the past seven years Harry has given development notes both in a personal capacity through freelance work with directors, writers, and actors; as well as in a formal capacity for Wildsound, Big Apple Film Festival, Santa Barbara Screenplay Awards, Los Angeles Screenplay Awards, Wiki Screenplay Contest, and Bluecat. Harry has given notes on shorts, pilots, features, TV specs, short stories, and outlines in all genres; both in short form overview, and traditional long form studio style coverage. Harry loves reading all genres. Harry Dieduonne on Instagram |
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LAURA LUCKENBAUGH
As the former Director of International Programming at AMC Networks, Laura oversaw development and co-productions for AMC, SundanceTV, BBC America, and AMC+, including Gangs of London, Kin, Quiz and the upcoming series Mood, This Is Going to Hurt and Interview With the Vampire. She also served on the jury for several industry competitions including SeriesFest, The NY Television Festival’s Next Generation Jury, and the BANFF Rockie Awards. Laura's LinkedIN Profile |
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JESS WATERS
Jess Waters is the Screenplay Competition Manager for The Big Apple Film Festival. As a screenwriter themselves, they value the hard work, commitment, and creativity of fellow writers and seek to celebrate their success and growth. Jess currently resides in Los Angeles where they help support writers and create stories that focus on the reimagining of history to create both grounded and fantastical explorations of Black and LGBTQ+ identity. Jess’s two most recent works are a short film called “The Divinity Streak” and a short film called "Gumbo" on Netflix Film Club and AllBlk, respectively. Jess Waters on Coverfly Jess Waters on Instagram |
