Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, a screenplay written by alumni David Light '02 and Joseph Raso '04 that premiered last year, was nominated for a Humanitas Prize for Children's Teleplay.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, a Disney Channel Original Movie, is directed by Jeffrey Hornaday, choreographed by Christopher Scott and Hornaday (both of Teen Beach Movie), stars Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim. In addition to writing the screenplay, Light and Raso also served as co-producers of the film.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S is a music- and dance-filled story about a groundbreaking semester at Seabrook High School; the pride and joy of Seabrook, a suburban town preoccupied with uniformity, traditions and pep rallies. That is, until transfer students from Zombietown integrate into the school and a cheerleader and zombie football star, Addison and Zed, fall in love. Now, amid chaos and confusion, it’s up to them to lead their community to coexistence.
Common Sense Media said, “There's stereotyping on both sides of the divide for most of the story, as well as some mean-spirited exchanges between humans and zombies, often driven by adults. But the relationship that develops between a human girl (Meg Donnelly) and a zombie boy (Milo Manheim) has a big impact, inspiring their peers to set aside misconceptions and befriend each other. Parents will especially like the themes of self-esteem surrounding Addison's struggle to let her true self show, and kids will love the catchy soundtrack and dance scenes.”
HUMANITAS is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging writers who create contemporary media that encourages viewers to truly explore what it means to be a human being, to take charge of their lives and use their freedom in a responsible way, and to reach out in respect and compassion to all their brothers and sisters in the human family. The annual HUMANITAS Prize award honors film and television writers whose work explores the human condition in a nuanced, meaningful way.
