Children of the Dust

Based on true events- A maverick airline CEO, an Iowa adoption mom and a Volkswagen driving hippie risk their lives to save mixed-race orphans in collapsing, war-torn Vietnam.

  • Project Type:
    Screenplay
  • Number of Pages:
    100
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Screencraft Drama Script competition
    Screenplay Drama Contest 2017
    November 15, 2017
    Quarterfinalist
  • LA International Moving Picture Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    January 19, 2018
    Award Winner
  • California Film Awards
    Hollywood
    February 13, 2018
    Official Finalist
  • LA Independent film Awards
    Los Angeles
    February 13, 2018
    Official Finalist
  • Academy Nicholl Fellowship Q.F. 2018
    HOLLYWOOD
    July 18, 2018
    Quarter-Finalist
Writer Biography

A cathartic writing journey led me to this great journey of screenwriting. I was stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines at the end of the Vietnam War. Operation Babylift was launched from our base. I always felt guilty that I was taking care of premature babies in the base hospital, while others went on the first Babylift flight and 178 people died, several from our base. This writing experience helped me celebrate the heroes both military and civilian on that flight and realize that I had a role to play just like thousands of others that were not in combat but did our duty.

Add Writer Biography
Writer Statement

John McCarney is a Vietnam Era Veteran. He is a former college football player that was assigned to the Intensive care nursery at Clark Air Force base in the Philippines during Operation Babylift as Vietnam collapsed. A sense of guilt always haunted him as he was safe within the nursery, while others from his base died in the inaugural Babylift flight that originated from his base. A cathartic writing experience turned into a desire to create a screenplay that celebrates not only the Air Force Personnel and volunteers from Clark Air Force base, but also the incredible adventures of many civilians who help save as many orphans as possible.
Contact: mccarneyjohn@gmail.com