
2026 WRITERS FESTIVAL
MAY 8-10, 2026 in PENSACOLA
MEET THE 2025 WINNERS
Del Shores and Program Director Emerson Collins interviewed our three new winners from our 4th Del Shores Foundation Writers Search!
All of the semifinalists and finalists were also announced, with appearances from Honorary Board Co-Chair Ann Walker and new Development Director Mat Hayes!
Watch the video now, and to read about our winners CLICK HERE.




BEST PLAY
JAMESON L. BLACK
"ANIMALS ~or~
We Just Want Love"
BEST SCREENPLAY
ROBBIE ROBERTSON
"The Invalid"
BEST SHORT/WEB SERIES
ERIC GUSTAFSON
"Do You Take This...?"
WATCH DEL & EMERSON INTERVIEW THE
2024 WINNERS
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM
OUR 2024 FESTIVAL
IN ATLANTA
READ ABOUT 2024 OUR WINNERS HERE
MEET OUR 2024 FINALISTS HERE
MEET OUR 2024 SEMIFINALISTS HERE
MEET OUR 2023 WINNERS HERE
MEET OUR 2021 WINNERS HERE

A SOUTHERN LGBTQ+
ADVENTURE
WRITER. DIRECTOR. PRODUCER.
TEACHER. STANDUP COMEDIAN. MENTOR.
THE DEL SHORES FOUNDATION
FINDING AND FACILITATING SUCCESS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOUTHERN LGBTQ+ WRITERS
Del Shores has had an incredible career across theatre, film and television as a writer, director, producer, lecturer, teacher, coach and standup comedian. His most explosive hit, Sordid Lives, was inspired by his own coming out journey to his southern family. Since then, he has occupied a unique space as a gay southern writer, exploring and sharing the stories of people who often have not seen themselves reflected in the entertainment they consume.
In his success, Del realized that the hardest part is getting the opportunity, exposure and guidance it takes to open the first doors in the entertainment industry. The Del Shores Foundation realizes that the next generation of southern LGBTQ+ writers are out there, and we are creating programs that lead to real opportunities for those living in the South, just starting out.
Del and Emerson with writer/filmmaker William Mettlach and the cast of SMOKE BREAKS, winner of Best Short in the 2023 DSF Writers Search at the World Premiere of his short at the Stamped Film Festival in Pensacola!
Attending the world premiere production of A THIRD WAY, by Lee Osorio, winner of Best Play in our 2023 DSF Writers Search and produced by Actor's Express in Atlanta with the support of our DSF Play Production Grant.








