Scriptwriter wins at film festival

Graham Rushton has been nominated for the best period drama in the Monaco International Film Festival for his screenplay Nor the Moon by Night.

Max Fleet

NORTH Bundaberg scriptwriter Graham Rushton is celebrating after winning the best period drama at the Angel Film Awards at the Monaco Film Festival in Monte Carlo at the weekend.

Mr Rushton was told he was nominated for the award in October for his script Nor the Moon by Night.

The script was also awarded the best independent spirit award.

Mr Rushton was over the moon about his win at the awards.

"I am in my 60s and it takes that long to get recognised," he said.

"It's a little bit unbelievable."

The writer left Australia on November 16 to attend the awards, which were held in Monte Carlo on Saturday night.

The awards are rare in that they accept scripts that are yet to be filmed.

But prospects for the film being made are promising.

Nor the Moon by Night had been picked up by British director Si Wall and is in the development stage.

The film was inspired by the life of Ruby Boye, a coast watcher in the Solomon Islands during the Second World War.

It follows her life through the war and her actions that turned her into a hero.

Mr Rushton moved to Bundaberg about four years ago and has spent about 35 years in the entertainment industry in Australia and the United States.

He said he had written numerous screenplays but is yet to have one produced.

In the past, the writer has appeared in a dramatic re-enactment on Australia's Most Wanted, a small part on Number 96 and another small role in Getting Square, which also stared Clash of the Titans actor Sam Worthington.

Mr Rushton is expected to return to Australia in the coming days.