Thomas C. Gaunt

Unique traits: Imaginative, Collaborative, Dependable, Fair, Observant, Conscientious

• THE NIGHT WATCHMAN (Official Website)
• Official Twitter Page
• IMDb

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  WORLDS APART Budget: $5M - $10M | Sci-fi ⋄ Adventure Forced to spend the summer at her father’s crumbling resort project in the jungles of Nicaragua, a precocious teenage gamer makes an otherworldly discovery thrusting her into a real-life adventure.

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  THE NIGHT WATCHMAN Budget: $100K - $1M | Crime ⋄ Thriller An emotionally tormented veteran's decision to help a victim of human trafficking exposes him and his remaining family to a criminal underworld hellbent on finding the girl and making him pay.  Concept Trailer: https://youtu.be/gKVyrqtF0m

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  CIRCLE OF THIEVES Budget: $1M - $5M | Action ⋄ Crime A master thief’s shady parole officer coerces him and five misfit ex-cons into committing a lucrative heist that could jeopardize their freedom . . . or bring down a corrupt pharmaceutical company.

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  WORLDS APART (pilot) (2022 - 2023)
  Series by GAUNT FILMS (Adventure, Drama and Sci-Fi) Screenwriter Forced to spend the summer at her father’s crumbling resort project in the jungles of Nicaragua, a precocious teenage gamer makes an otherworldly discovery thrusting her into a real-life adventure.

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  THE NIGHT WATCHMAN (in development) (2017 - 2022)
  Film by GAUNT FILMS (Crime, Drama and Thriller) Writer, Director, Producer An emotionally tormented veteran's decision to help a victim of human trafficking exposes him and his remaining family to a criminal underworld hellbent on finding the girl and making him pay. Concept Trailer: https://youtu.be/gKVyrqtF0m RECOGNITION: Top 1% (2022) – Genre/Format on Coverfly Top 2% (2022) – All Screenplays on Coverfly On THE RED LIST (2022) – Top Rated Feature Screenplays on Coverfly Finalist (2022) – Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition (Genre Feature) Quarterfinalist / Second Rounder (2018) – Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition Finalist (2017) – Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Rebel Without A Crew’ Television Program Top 20% (2013) – 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Semifinalist (2022) – Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards (Summer) Semifinalist (2022) – FILMMATIC Inroads Drama Screenwriting Contest (Season 7) Semifinalist (2018) – Roadmap Writers/Route One Entertainment Contest Semifinalist (2017) – ScreenCraft Drama Feature Script Contest Semifinalist (2013) – Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest Quarterfinalist (2022) – ScreenCraft Action & Adventure Screenplay Competition Quarterfinalist (2022) – Table Read My Screenplay Genre Screenplay Competition – Summer (TV pilot) Quarterfinalist (2021) – CineStory Retreat & Fellowship / TV Contest (TV pilot – BEASTS OF BURDEN) Quarterfinalist (2020) – Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition (TV pilot – BEASTS OF BURDEN) Quarterfinalist (2020) – ScreenCraft Drama Screenplay Competition (TV pilot – BEASTS OF BURDEN) Quarterfinalist (2018) – ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship Quarterfinalist (2017) – ScreenCraft Action/Thriller Screenplay Contest Quarterfinalist (2015) – Stage 32 Feature Contest Quarterfinalist (2014) – Chicago Screenwriter’s Network Contest Scored 7/10 – The Black List *formerly titled ‘AMONG THE DEAD’

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  RED MAZE (2016 - 2017)
  Film (short) by GAUNT FILMS (Action, Crime and Thriller) Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor On the verge of losing custody of his son, a struggling boxer breaks into an apartment complex in an attempt to score quick cash and makes an ill-fated discovery forcing him into a dangerous confrontation.

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  PAUSE OF THE CLOCK (2015)
  Film by RandomCha / Rob Christopher (Drama) Assistant Camera The year is 1995. Two college roommates, Dylan and Rob, are making a movie called "Crueler Than Truth" with a group of their friends in Colorado and Chicago. During the shoot Dylan stumbles upon Rob's diary and secretly begins to read it. PAUSE OF THE CLOCK features music from Kill Hannah, Royale and Steven Pate.

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  DAYS END (2013)
  Film (short) by GAUNT FILMS (Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi and 1 More) Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Co-Editor In the science fiction short film DAYS END an impending apocalyptic event alters a young man’s outlook on life. How much time would you need to say the things left unsaid? Even with news of a massive solar flare threatening electronics and communications, Dylan’s mind is elsewhere wondering about the status of his relationship with his girlfriend (Liz). Best friend and co-worker Nate, listens attempting to put an end to Dylan’s self-loathing. However, his incessant worrying is rendered meaningless when an abrupt power outage leads to a horrifying chain of events, thrusting Dylan and Nate into a fight for their lives. In his darkest moments of fear and desperation, Dylan is about to discover an unforeseen clarity to put things in perspective. FULL FILM FESTIVAL LIST World Premiere – Indianapolis International Film Festival Finalist – The From Beyond Online Film Festival Semifinalist – Highway 61 Film Festival Official Selection – Southway Film Festival Official Selection – Indie Possible International Film Festival Official Selection – The Strange Film Awards Official Selection – Broken Knuckle Film Festival Official Selection – Blackbird Film Festival Official Selection – Mac Horror Film Festival Official Selection – Rhode Island Comic-Con Film Festival Official Selection – Northern Frights Festival Official Selection – Chicago ParaCon & Film Festival Official Selection – Los Angeles CineFest Official Selection – Indie Film Festival Official Selection – Armageddon Expo Film Festival Official Selection – Wasteland Film Festival Official Selection – Rendezvous Film Festival Official Selection – The Online Film Festival Official Selection – Viewster Online Film Festival Official Selection – Freedom Film Festival Official Selection – Silver Dollar Film Festival

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  ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE (2012 - 2013)
  Documentary by The Kindling Group / Lightfellow / GAUNT FILMS (Documentary, Drama and Biography) Producer, Cinematographer, Editor ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE tells the story of five artist families looking to own their own work/live space (most for the first time). Forced to move around the city due to gentrification, this group of spirited artists (led by Laura Weathered) pool their resources and apply for mortgages in an attempt to transform an old metal stamping factory into a communal work/living condo space that they can afford to own. As the documentary unfolds, viewers learn that the project is not without its flaws. The artists (now owners) form an association to address a whole litany of building issues. Soon ideals begin to clash with practical concerns. What starts out as a profile of the aging artist's quest to find agency within ownership, ultimately becomes about the trials and rewards of community building. The film premiered on PBS in the spring of 2012 and screened at The Chicago Cultural Center and The Talking Pictures Film Festival and .

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  A PLACE CALLED HOME: AN ADOPTION STORY (2004 - 2005)
  Documentary by GAUNT FILMS / At The ROOTS Films (Documentary, Drama, Family and Biography) Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor A PLACE CALLED HOME is the heartwarming true story of one family's struggle to adopt nine children in the face of overwhelming odds. Five years in the making, A PLACE CALLED HOME is a documentary filled with the joy and pain that can often accompany the adoption process. After reading a Mother's Day newspaper article, Baby Boomers Tom and Jean (of Indianapolis, Indiana) decided to wave goodbye to their four year-old empty nest and attempt the second largest sibling group adoption in United States history. As the story unfolds, we learn of the abuse the children suffered at the hands of their stepfather and watch as they prepare for a possible new life with Tom and Jean. Sensitive and affectionate in its portrayal, the film chronicles the evolution of the adoption from moments of doubt to moments of hope and triumph giving viewers a rare glimpse into the emotional bonding of two families. A PLACE CALLED HOME screened at numerous international film festivals winning a Crystal Heart Award at The Heartland Film Festival, Audience Award for Best Feature and Hoosier Len's award at the Indianapolis International Film Festival before premiering on PBS in 2005. A PLACE CALLED HOME has since aired on The Heartland Channel, The Documentary Channel and Pivot TV.

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  HOWARD ZINN: YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN (2004)
  Documentary by First Run Features (Documentary, History and Biography) Additional Cinematography Narrated by Matt Damon, HOWARD ZINN: YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN chronicles the life and times of Howard Zinn: the historian, activist, and author of several classics including 'A Peoples History of the United States' and 'Declarations of Independence'. Featuring rare archival materials, interviews with Howard Zinn as well as colleagues and friends including Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden and Alice Walker, YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL captures the essence of this activist and thinker who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. Directed by Deb Ellis and Denis Mueller, the film won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2004 Provincetown International Film Festival and the 2004 Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. It also won the John Michael Memorial Award at the 2004 Big Muddy Film Festival and screened at the Vermont International Film Festival, Big Sky Documentary Festival before premiering on the Sundance Channel.

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  IN PRODUCTION (2003)
  Television by Porpoise Inc. / GAUNT FILMS (Documentary, Biography and Reality-TV) Series Co-Creator, Producer, Director IN PRODUCTION is a television series that takes an honest and amusing behind-the-scenes look at the unscripted lives of independent films and their makers. At no other time in history have so many people been making films and with the proliferation of digital technology new voices in cinema are emerging everyday. People from all walks of life are writing scripts, and picking up cameras with an itch to and make a movie. The only question is... which of these filmmakers has a story worth telling? With each episode focusing on a different American city, IN PRODUCTION's story lines come from the real experiences of each locally profiled film crew. In each of the segments that make up the show, the audience is introduced to a director and their faithful crew. Often overworked and underpaid, many of these dedicated foot soldiers of independent film have dreams of fame and fortune. However, others simply want to bring their creative vision to the screen, no matter the cost. As they face the day-to-day realities on the sets of their current productions, viewers learn of the inspiring stories and bizarre journeys that led these dreamers to become filmmakers.

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  STEVIE (2002)
  Documentary by Kartemquin Films / Steve James (Documentary, Drama and Biography) Post-production Assistant In 1995 Director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) returned to rural Southern Illinois to reconnect with Stevie Fielding, a troubled young boy he had been an 'Advocate Big Brother' to ten years earlier. Part way through the filming, Stevie is arrested and charged with a serious crime that tears his family apart. What was to be a modest profile turns into a intimate four and half year chronicle of Stevie, his broken family, the criminal justice system and the filmmaker himself, as they all struggle with what Stevie has done and who he has become. STEVIE was Nominated for the Documentary Grand Jury Prize and Won the Cinematography Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival as well as a 2003 Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Documentary.

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  CORRECTIONS (2001)
  Documentary by Third World News Reel (Crime, Documentary and History) Co-Cinematographer CORRECTIONS is a documentary about prison growth and prison profit, investigating why the U.S. has the largest prison system and what it tells us about our economy, government, race and class. Directed by Ashley Hunt, CORRECTIONS was an Official Selection at the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival and is distributed by Third World Newsreel.

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  LIVING ON THE BORDER: IN MIDDLE AMERICA (1999)
  Documentary by GAUNT FILMS (Thesis Film) (Documentary and Biography) Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor LIVING ON THE BORDER IN MIDDLE AMERICA documents the lives of four Latino college students in the mid-1990's as they come to terms with their identity in America’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape. While possessing vastly different social and cultural backgrounds each student is a member of Junta de Acción Latina (Council of Latino Action), a Latino student organization at DePaul University. Through the group’s four student leaders (Adrián Aragonés, Marisol Morales, Andrea Durón, and Alicia Herrera) the documentary confronts issues that are affecting Latinos in Chicago and across the nation. Issues like bilingual education, self-determination, gentrification of Latino neighborhoods, and proposed laws that cut much needed learning and assistance programs for new immigrants. As first and second generation Puerto Ricans and Mexicans in Chicago these four students have decided to use their privilege of higher education to become mentors within their respective communities and push for cultural empowerment through education. The documentary juxtaposes media clips, archival footage, interviews, and location footage to paint a picture of these amazing young students, educators, and activists. In 1997 LIVING ON THE BORDER received a grant from the Puffin Foundation and premiered at the Olympia Film Festival in 1998 before premiering on local Public Television.

• Top 1% – All Screenplays on Coverfly (THE NIGHT WATCHMAN)
  (2022)

• Top 1% – All Screenplays on Coverfly (WORLDS APART)
  (2022)

• Finalist – The Nashville Film Festival
  (2022)

• Semifinalist – Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards (Summer)
  (2022)

• Quarterfinalist – Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition (Hour Pilot)
  (2020)

• Semifinalist – ScreenCraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenwriting Competition
  (2020)

• Semifinalist – Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition (Hour Pilot)
  (2019)

• Official Selection – Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Fest
  (2018)

• TV Premiere – Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network – The People’s Network: Suspense Edition
  (2018)

• Quarterfinalist – ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
  (2018)

• Semifinalist – Roadmap Writers/Route One Entertainment Contest
  (2018)

• Quarterfinalist – Austin Film Festival
  (2018)

• Best Web Short – Woodengate Film Festival
  (2017)

• Officially Groovy Film Award – Planet 9 Film Festival
  (2017)

• Quarterfinalist – ScreenCraft Action/Thriller Screenplay Contest
  (2017)

• Finalist – Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Rebel Without A Crew’ Television Program
  (2017)

• Semifinalist – ScreenCraft Drama Feature Script Contest
  (2017)

• Finalist – Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Rebel Without A Crew’ TV Program
  (2017)

• Semifinalist – San Mauro Torinese International Film Festival
  (2016)

• Film Market Selection – Palm Springs International ShortFest
  (2016)

• Silver Remi Award – WorldFest Houston (Houston International Film Festival)
  (2016)

• Best Horror Film – NCCC Film & Animation Festival
  (2016)

• Audience Award – First Friday Film Festival (Kansas City)
  (2016)

• Finalist – Los Angeles CineFest
  (2016)

• Finalist – Frostbite International Online Film Festival
  (2016)

• Semifinalist – Anatomy: Crime – Horror International Film Festival
  (2016)

• Semifinalist – San Mauro Torinese International Film Festival
  (2016)

• Quarterfinalist - Stage 32 'Happy Writers' Feature Contest
  (2015)

• Finalist – The From Beyond Online Film Fest
  (2015)

• Semifinalist – Highway 61 Film Festival
  (2014)

• Semifinalist – Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest
  (2013)

• Quarterfinalist – Chicago Screenwriter’s Network Contest
  (2013)

• Top 20% – 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships
  (2013)

• Top 10% – Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition
  (2013)

• World Premiere – Indianapolis International Film Festival
  (2007)

• Winner - Best Feature, Indianapolis International Film Festival
  (2006)

• Winner - Hoosier Lens Award, Indianapolis International Film Festival
  (2006)

• Audience Award – Indianapolis International Film Festival
  (2006)

• Best Documentary Finalist - International Family Film Festival
  (2005)

• Honorable Mention – ReelHeART International Film Festival
  (2005)

• Winner - Crystal Heart Award, Heartland Film Festival
  (2004)

• Honorable Mention Award – Athens International Film & Video Festival
  (2000)

• Official Selection – Olympia Film Festival
  (1999)

• Grant Recipient – The Puffin Foundation
  (1998)

• Winner - Gold Remi Award, WorldFest Houston (Houston International Film Festival)
  (1996)

• Winner - Audience Award, Indiana Film & Video Festival
  (1996)

• Winner - Indy Award, Indiana Film & Video Festival
  (1996)

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  (1994-1999)