Sandley

A first-year teacher in an at-risk Los Angeles middle school finds the inspiration to confront his bullies through his interactions with a lovable, but equally teased student.

  • Jonathan LaPoma
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Screenplay, Short Script
  • Number of Pages:
    14
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Aura Screenwriter Awards, 2015

    Finalist
  • New Renaissance Film Festival, 2017

    Finalist
  • Courier Awards, 2015

    Semifinalist
  • Marquee Lights Competition, 2015

    Semifinalist
  • Los Angeles CineFest, 2016

    Official Selection
  • Lake Charles Film Festival, 2016

    Official Selection
  • Hollywood Sky International Film Festival, 2015

    Official Selection
  • NewLife Film & Script & Music Festival, 2016

    Official Selection
Writer Biography - Jonathan LaPoma

Jonathan LaPoma is an award-winning, best-selling novelist, optioned screenwriter, songwriter, and poet from Buffalo, NY. In 2005, he received a BA in history and a secondary education credential from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and he traveled extensively throughout the United States and Mexico after graduating. These experiences have become the inspiration for much of his writing, which often explores themes of alienation and misery as human constructions that can be overcome through self-understanding and the acceptance of suffering.

LaPoma has written three novels, eleven screenplays, and hundreds of songs and poems. His screenplays have won over 140 awards/honors at various international screenwriting competitions, and his black comedy script HARM FOR THE HOLIDAYS was optioned by Warren Zide along with Wexlfish Pictures (AMERICAN PIE, FINAL DESTINATION, THE BIG HIT). LaPoma's novel DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY is an Amazon Best Seller ("Satire" and "Urban Life" Kindle categories), and it won the 2015 Stargazer Literary Prizes (Visionary and Metaphysical Fiction category) and won the bronze medal in the 2016 Florida Authors and Publishers Association President's Awards (Adult eBook category). His novel UNDERSTANDING THE ALACRÁN won the silver medal in the 2017 FAPA President's Awards (Contemporary/Literary category). He lives in San Diego and teaches at a public secondary school.

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Writer Statement

I typically write character-driven dramas that are equal parts dark and humorous, and my work often explores themes of alienation and misery as human constructions that can be overcome through self-understanding and the acceptance of suffering. With my work, I hope to inspire people to lean toward their own suffering so that they can live fuller and richer lives.