“Virulence” (EXCLUSIVE) with Christopher Pennington

2024 March 28

“Virulence” (EXCLUSIVE) with Christopher Pennington

-How was your project “Virulence” born?

When I first started screenwriting in 2013, “Virulence” was only the second screenplay I’d ever written and my first attempt at horror with the idea to write a low budget movie set in one isolated location. In 2021 after a six year break from writing I decided to go back and revisit Virulence, re-writing dialogue & changing certain scenes until I was fully satisfied with it.

-What goal do you dream of achieving?

Ultimately I’d love to find a home for the screenplay with a production company that can see its value and potential in the horror market, and with this being one of seven screenplays I’ve written it would allow me to focus on other projects.

-Who inspired you to create your project?

The biggest inspiration for Virulence was John Carpenter’s 1982 masterpiece, The Thing. Being one of my favourite films of all time I loved the concept of people being trapped in a hostile environment with no help from the outside world as they fight for their lives against something they both can’t control nor understand.

-Which awards has your project won?

I’ve been very fortunate to win a number of awards for Virulence, these include:
Best Action Screenplay – THE THING IN THE BASEMENT HORROR FEST
Best Action Screenplay – ADBHOOTURE FILM FESTIVAL
Best Feature Script – LIT SCARES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Best Feature Script – 8 & A HALFILM AWARDS
Best Feature Script – INTERNATIONAL GOLD AWARDS
Best Action Screenplay – FRIDA FILM FESTIVAL
Best Feature Script – INDEPENDANT HORROR MOVIE AWARDS
Best Unproduced Action Screenplay – LA SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL
Nosferatu Prize for Horror – Best Unproduced Screenplay – LOS ANGELES MOTION PICTURE FESTIVAL
Jury Award Winner – Scariest Script – HYSTERIA FEST
Best Feature Script – RUSSIAN INSTITUTE OF CINEMA & PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
Best Feature Script (OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD) – CALCUTTA INTERNATIONAL CULT FILM FESTIVAL
Best Feature Script – SEVEN WONDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
Best Feature Script – BOX OFFICE CINE AWARDS
Best Feature Script – SWEDISH ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay – HORROR UNDERGROUND FILM & SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL
Best Original & Feature Script – IF INDIE FESTIVAL