IN OFFICIAL SELECTION “THE LITTLEST REINDEER” WRITTEN BY JENNIFER WESTCOTT- SHORTLISTED FOR THE AFA

BIO:

Jennifer Westcott is an award-winning screenwriter and director who has optioned scripts to both Canadian and American production companies and was hired to write two pilots for Spike TV. In 2009 she won the prestigious Praxis Screenwriting Competition with her family animation script, THE LITTLEST REINDEER and decided to move into directing her own work. Her first feature film, LOCKED IN A GARAGE BAND had its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in London, England in November, 2011 and is now being represented by Double Dutch Media.

“The Littlest Reindeer”
Written by Jennifer Westcott

Logline:

THE LITTLEST REINDEER is the story of Elliot, a miniature horse with great big dreams.

Synopsis:

Tired of playing second fiddle to the showboating reindeer at Whittick's Witty Bitty Farm (petting zoo and Official North Pole Feeder Farm since 1962,) Elliot sees his chance for a bigger life when Blitzen stuns the world by announcing his retirement from Santa's team on December 21st. Against his best friend's advice (Hershel, a goat who has yet to discover an object he can't eat) Elliot summons his courage and shows Coach Whittick his “moves” in an impromptu try-out.

More concerned with convincing his stubborn 12-year old (Samantha) that she's too young to accompany him to the North Pole for the official try-outs, Coach Whittick completely ignores the miniature horse's attempts to impress. After all, everyone knows only reindeer pull Santa's sleigh! Fortunately for Elliot, his efforts don't go unnoticed – Samantha catches him on video. Determined to be the first person to film the try-outs, Samantha convinces Elliot and Hershel to stow away with her on the journey to the North Pole. After Elliot's initial attempt at registering for the try-outs is thwarted by his non-reindeer status, Elliot dons a pair of strap-on antlers and fools the officials. Now all he has to do is beat the the world's foremost reindeer competitors.

Despite his diminutive stature, Elliot manages to advance through phase after grueling phase of the competition to the finals. But his arch-nemesis from the Witty-Bitty Farm (DJ, short for Donner Junior - a reindeer with the pedigree and privilege that comes with being celebrity offspring) discovers Elliot's true identity and reveals it to the world in a boldly humiliating stunt. Shamed and belittled (literally!) Elliot's convinced his dream is dead. But Elliot's chutzpah prompts Santa to reconsider his reindeer-only policy and embrace a more inclusive approach. Finally allowed to compete as the miniature horse he is, Elliot wows the judges and earns a spot on Santa's team.