Original Screenplays by Joe Newell
Candelario
Historical Drama inspired by true events and the memoir of the author's grandfather, Candelario Hernandez
During the early years of the Mexican Revolution, a boy grows to manhood by relying on his instincts and courage to survive adversity and discovers his destiny in a new land. Based on the memoir of a humble idealist turned modest hero.
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Winner, Gold Remi Award, WorldFest Screenwriting Competition, Houston International Film Festival
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Finalist, Austin Film Festival Screenwriting Competition
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Round Two Consideration, Santa Barbara Film Festival Screenplay Awards
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Honorable Mention, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards
Excerpt from evaluation by the awards committee of Austin Film Festival: The story unfolds organically, and there is never a false beat in the tale. The story has adventure, humor, life lessons, and romance…This film would appeal to a wide audience because a hero’s tale never grows old, and everyone likes for an underdog to triumph. This is an inspirational story for everyone, especially young Latinos. Candelario is not a stereotype but is a multi-dimensional character
who inspires.
Archival Photo - Photographer unknown. Joe's Grandfather is second from left.
Stolen Hearts
Noir Suspense Drama, Feature Film
Key West in 1962 is the tranquil setting for a love triangle involving an alluring artist who must choose between the protective writer she loves and the deceptive police detective she pretends to love. But things take a dangerous turn when their lives intersect with an elusive cat burglar who is terrorizing the town.
The Lure
Action Thriller, Feature Film
A man struggling to keep his new business afloat and his young family together is drawn into a dangerous web of infidelity, fraud, and murder by a controlling mystery woman, until he reluctantly turns to a retiring FBI agent for help.
Garden of Evil
Period Drama, Horror
Life on the lavish family estate is not as idyllic as it appears for identical twin brothers who share deadly secrets. After a grisly incident involving the murder of a servant, one twin is sent away to a maximum-security mental hospital while the other twin enjoys the inheritance as master of the estate. Thirty years later, the imprisoned twin escapes and marks a bloody trail on his way back to the family home for revenge.
Gold Award Winner, Houston International Film Festival Screenplay Competition
Dark Edges
Working title, script revision incomplete – Horror
A creepy and dysfunctional family of gator trappers in the Louisiana swamplands must conceal their horrifying crimes from the suspicious Sheriff.
When a group of university researchers accidentally happens upon the scene, mayhem builds and the body count grows. Between the hideous beasts in the dark bayou water and the bizarre occupants of the trapper compound, can anyone survive?
