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Prisoner Abroad Script

A Colombian man travels abroad as a tourist with the sole desire to prosper and help his family get ahead, but upon arriving at the international airport and crossing the border, he is captured and accused of being a major international trafficker of drugs, weapons, and ammunition from a country he has never visited. In a country where he doesn't speak the language or know the laws, he is sent to a maximum-security prison for foreigners. For the next 41 months, he is immersed in a grueling psychological and physical struggle for survival, forced to study the judicial, penal, and penitentiary systems to defend himself from behind bars. After filing 81 legal appeals that were systematically ignored, the exhaustion of the struggle leads him to understand that the only way to regain his freedom is to plead guilty to charges he did not commit.

  • John Esteban SERNA LONDOÑO
    Writer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Preso en el Extranjero- GUION
  • Project Type:
    Student, Screenplay, Short Script, Stage Play, Television Script, Treatment, Other
  • Genres:
    DRAMA, biopic, Social Justice, Thriller, True Story Based on True Events, LegalCourtroom, Human Rights
  • Number of Pages:
    15
  • Language:
    English, French, Spanish
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Poitiers France
  • Official Selection - Lift-Off Sessions February 2026 (Vol. 2)
    Reino Unido
    February 12, 2026
    Seleccion Oficial
  • Official Selection - Lift-Off Sessions March 2026 (Vol. 3)
    Reino Unido
    February 26, 2026
    Official Selection - Lift-Off Sessions 2026 (March Vol. 3)
Writer Biography - John Esteban SERNA LONDOÑO

John Esteban Serna Londoño is a Colombian screenwriter and filmmaker focused on high-impact social narratives and visceral realism. His work explores the complexities of justice and human resilience, often drawing from profound personal experiences. His latest project, "Imprisoned Abroad" (Prisionero en el extranjero), has gained international recognition, earning Official Selections from the prestigious Lift-Off Global Network at Pinewood Studios (UK) for their February and March 2026 sessions. With a vision centered on authenticity, John seeks to connect with global audiences through stories that challenge the system and celebrate the strength of the human spirit.

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Writer Statement

Prisoner Abroad" is more than a script; it is a visceral exploration of the fragility of freedom and the resilience of the human spirit when faced with systemic injustice. Inspired by true events, this story delves into the psychological and emotional toll of being trapped in a foreign judicial system, stripped of one's identity and voice.

My goal was to capture the raw, suffocating reality of prison life while highlighting the small, internal victories that keep a person sane. Through this narrative, I challenge the audience to confront the shadows of international justice and to find empathy in the most desperate circumstances. This project is a tribute to those who, despite being silenced by walls and bars, refuse to let their stories be erased.