I am thrilled to share that Sun Night has received honorable mention merit in the drama category of the 2020 Latino Books into Movies Awards. The awards program is presented by Empowering Latino Futures (ELF) for the purpose of celebrating books and screenplays by and about Latinos that are potentially suitable for future television shows or films.
The ELF press release emphasizes that the winning books and scripts will be shared with key studios, networks, and production companies that have expressed an interest in increasing the diversity of the content they present. The finalists were asked to prepare a promotional sheet about the book and how it would translate into a film. While it will be up to the studios to decide which of the works they’d consider for production, it is electrifying to think that Sun Night could someday become a feature film.
The promotional sheet for Sun Night describes the story, audience, and character descriptions as detailed below:
STORY
Sun Night is a dramatic and visually stimulating tale of two brothers growing up in 1976 Panama and follows the events that would transform their young lives forever. The brothers, Sebastian and Santiago are very close and highly protective of each other and rely on their shared love and creative storytelling to manage through the adversity of their lives. Told from the perspective of the young brothers, the story takes the reader on a magical journey through the imaginative stories they share with each other at nighttime. Coming to life on the ceiling of their bedroom, these stories, influenced by the beauty and vibrancy of the Panamanian city life, countryside, and beaches, transform their raw world of reality into a realm of colorful visions and exciting adventures helping the children to escape from their deepest worries and fears.
AUDIENCE
While this story is set in Panama, the message is common to all cultures and demographics. The central target audience is adults 25 and older, as well as families with children that enjoy dramatic stories portraying facts of life events in an expressive and empathetic manner. Because of the magical realism elements of the tales told by the children and the relationship between reality and fantasy, Sun Night may also attract Indie drama cinephiles looking for similar films such as “The Fall” and “Pan’s Labyrinth”.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Sebastian – The protagonist, 12-year old Sebastian, is quiet, inquisitive, and scared of everything. He is the artist and storyteller. He sees clouds and other weather phenomena in the ceiling of the bedroom which plays an important part in the story. At night, Sebastian tells his brother imaginative stories about the sun; fantasies that take them away from their realities.
Santiago – 10-year old Santiago is Sebastian’s brother. He is a complete contrast to his brother; brave, friendly, playful, and full of energy. He loves sports and learning to play the guitar. Santiago protects his brother from the dark and from the tensions they experience at home. Santiago symbolizes hope and pure love.
Michelle – Mother to the boys, a beautiful woman in her 30s, is an English teacher at the same school attended by her children. Michelle takes on the role of both parents while trying to keep her marriage alive for her children’s sake. Michelle symbolizes strength and conviction.
Esteban – Father to the boys, is a stocky man with Italian features, also in his 30s. He is an alcoholic, philanderer, and the cause of tensions in the home. His absence from home, fights with Michelle, and distant behavior toward his family causes the children great stress. Esteban symbolizes selfishness, instability, and hatred.
The Sun – Sebastian uses the sun as a protagonist in the stories he tells his brother. The sun represents the loving force found in the brother’s relationship.
