Bundaberg’s Judith Stutchbury has been awarded for her movie script, Hatch, in the international Green Stories writing competition.
Judith is hoping Hatch will one day be turned into a feature film after she was awarded second place in the Green Stories Writing competition.
Hatch is now in the script appraisal stage before being sent to production companies in the United Kingdom.
Judith said she entered Green Stories writing competition on a whim, and she was now both grateful and excited that people around the world had read her film screenplay – Hatch.
Hatch has a storyline about a young sea turtle that hatches and is immediately faced with obstacles such as light and plastic pollution; Hatch sets out to save her friends but needs to find the SeaTide Princess in order to save the ocean.
Local identities appear with pseudonyms, including Dr Col Limpus OA, who has worked tirelessly within marine conservation at Mon Repos for more than 50 years.
He inspired the character of Scientist Dr Limpet, and Greenfleet also make a cameo as Greenfeet, to name a few.
Inspiration to put pen to paper for Judith was found at a Reef Guardian meeting that was flooded with discussions about protecting the environment, and how everyone can play their part and be involved.
Judith said when writing Hatch she never thought it would leave her home, but now with it being recognised through the Green Stories writing competition and having the environmental message shared around the globe it left her with a “worthwhile feeling”.
“I’m thrilled someone on the other side of the world has read my many late nights of writing,” Judith said.
“We have a global treasure in our own backyard – the Great Barrier Reef and the endangered Loggerhead Turtles.
“It is a live and animated, full length realistic fiction feature film script.
“It incorporates many people I have met during my environmental activities. I drew from their great work.”
Hopes for Hatch to become feature film
Judith, who also teaches at Kalkie State School, said she had been lucky enough to show the script to Walt Disney Company (Australia) when they visited the Bundaberg Region as part of the Low Glow campaign, and also Prince Charles who perused the first chapter that was illustrated by Kalkie State School Students.
Green Stories writing competitions are a series of free writing competitions across various formats to solicit stories that showcase what a sustainable society might look like.
- Earlier news: Artist explores plastic alternatives in A Plea for Plankton
