A professor at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is gaining international recognition for his critically-acclaimed screenwriting. Marc Moody has recently made waves in some of the most prestigious competitions worldwide, showcasing both his talent and the strength of the university’s cinematic arts program.
In a major accomplishment, Moody was a quarterfinalist in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Nicholl Fellowship International Screenwriting Competition. Considered the top global contest for emerging screenwriters, the Nicholl Fellowship received more than 5,500 entries this year, with Moody’s screenplay standing out as one of just 354 to advance.
“Marc is a great example of what we are so happy to have at SCA, faculty who are professionals in the field and continue to practice their craft,” said Christine Acham, a professor and chair at SCA.
Moody also proved his versatility and consistency in other renowned competitions. At Screencraft’s Best Feature International Screenwriting Contest, all four of his submitted screenplays reached the quarterfinals, with one advancing to the semifinals. In the Best Action and Adventure category, another of Moody’s scripts also made it to the quarterfinals.
Moody’s screenwriting talents was further validated at the Richmond International Film Festival, where Moody was named a finalist—no small feat in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest and most competitive festivals. Additionally, he was recognized as a finalist in Final Draft’s Big Break International Screenwriting Contest. The grand prize announcement is slated for this December. His success also extends to the WEScreenplay Diverse Voices competition, where he secured a semifinalist position.
This fall, Moody is teaching screenwriting and film history at The International College of Seville in Spain, part of the UH Mānoa Study Abroad program. He will return to the Mānoa campus to teach screenwriting at SCA in spring 2025.
The School of Cinematic Arts is housed in the UH Mānoa College of Arts, Languages and Letters.
