PAUL SCHRADER & OUR SUMMER SOIREE

This past weekend, Almanack Screenwriters hosted our highly anticipated annual fundraiser, the Summer Soiree, which featured an intimate conversation with legendary writer and filmmaker, Paul Schrader, at the Dreamland Theater and an after party hosted by our generous board member, Mark Famiglio.

Taxi Diver, Raging Bull, Cat People, Mishima: A Life in 4 Chapters, The Mosquito Coast, The Last Temptation of Christ, Affliction, The Card Counter, First Reformed and on and on goes the filmography. Paul takes risks with his stories. He aims to say something about humanity and the world in which we live. These are some of the traits we look for in the writers we support. He's been making movies for nearly 50 years which very few people will ever be able to say.

The evening began with a lively cocktail reception where our guests and supporters mingled with Paul, Almanack staff and members of board. During Paul’s conversation with our Senior Creative Adviser, Ben Robbins, he spoke candidly about the challenges and triumphs of his career. His generosity in sharing his experiences and wisdom exemplified the spirit of mentorship that Almanack Screenwriters strives to foster.

We're grateful to Paul for making the trip and sharing his thoughts about writing and film with our audience. We're also deeply grateful to everyone who attended in support of our mission to nurture the next generation of exceptional storytellers for the screen. Our growing community is invaluable to us. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, this year’s Summer Soiree exceeded our fundraising goals, ensuring that we can continue offering our unique programs to emerging screenwriters who are still struggling with the state of the industry. 

As we look forward to the year ahead, we remain committed to empowering storytellers for the screen and nurturing the creativity that defines our shared human experience. Here's to many more evenings of inspiration and collaboration.