Linda Niccol notches British Screenplay Prize

Wellington writer Linda Niccol has won the prestigious British Short Screenplay Prize ahead of 200+ other screenwriters. Her script for The Handkerchief was judged best script by a panel that included Kenneth Branagh, Alan Parker and Nik Powell. As part of the prize, The Handkerchief will be made into a 15-minute film in 7, with a budget of up to US$300K. Linda Niccol’s 2005 collection of stories The Geometry of Desire was described by NZ Listener as “fearless…rueful, razory humour… dialogue that’s edgy, injurious, points-scoring…Niccol takes risks with style, allusion and structure.” Film runs deep on Rosetta Rd as brother and director Andrew is the writer of Lord of War, Nicole, Gattaca and the seminal Truman Show.