Home › Comics › British Comics › TPub Comics launches “Twisted Dark” film competition

TPub Comics launches “Twisted Dark” film competition

By John Freeman on October 19, 2016

Twisted Dark – So Easy – a sample video of a story from the Twisted Dark by Neil Gibson. For the source comics visit: tiny.cc/TwistedApp.

TPub Comics – publishers of the top-selling psychological thriller Twisted Dark have announced a short film competition with a $5000 cash prize inspired by the comic.

The shortlisted and winning films will be screened at the Chicago City Comic Con in April 2017, and the overall winner will get $5,000 in cash and the offer of mentorship from Jamie Childs, director of Stan Lee’s Lucky Man.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for students and aspiring filmmakers to produce, create and direct their interpretation of an original Twisted Dark story. You can choose one of four stories to base your film on, but multiple entries are also welcomed.

TPub Comics Neil Gibson

I caught up with TPub Comics publisher Neil Gibson at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival and, needless to say, he was really excited by this competition based on Twisted Dark, described by one critic “a Twilight Zone for a new generation”.

“The cash prizes are awesome, but I think what the serious film makers will be most interested in is the exposure and the mentoring from a professional director,” says Neil. “Stan Lee’s Lucky Man is Sky’s most popular drama and the director, Jamie Childs, will not only be one of the judges, but will also mentor the winning entry and any entry he thinks stands out.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to break into TV and film and to make some contacts.

“We’ve created a sample video which can be used for inspiration,” continues Neil, who’s also busy promoting a Kickstarter for Theatrics, a 1920s New York noir he’s written, featuring art from Leonardo Gonzalez and Jan Wijngaard. “We don’t expect all entries to be of this standard – we are more interested in innovative storytelling.”

You don’t even have to read Twisted Dark to enter, but I’d be a bit surprised if you didn’t, as it would help you match the tone of the much-praised comic – and you can read it for free here, courtesy of TPub.

The competition is now live and closes in March 2017, but entrants are encouraged to submit early.

TPub have a wide range of titles on offer, aside from Twisted Dark, and it was great to chat with Neil about his plans and this film project at the weekend. I wish him every success.

• For full Terms and Conditions and to enter, visit www.TPub.co.uk

• You can read samples of TPub Comics at the TPub website and you can purchase titles fromthem digitally via ComiXology

About the Author
Latest Posts

John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.