LAS VEGAS - eTradeWire -- "Committee of Five," screenwriter Kevin Stirling's historical drama about the delegates appointed by the Second Continental Congress to draft a declaration of independence from Britain and a tyrannical King, against a frantic backdrop of debate, disagreement and deal-making in steamy Philadelphia in 1776, has won the top Historical Screenplay Award at the 2025 Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival.

"Committee of Five" brings to life the Second Continental Congress' final, tumultuous days of torrid tempers, stirring speeches and impassioned calls for both reconciliation and independence, and its prescient if not pragmatic decision to form a select committee on June 11, 1776, tasked with drafting a declaration of independence, despite Congress still not yet voting in favor of independence.

"I am grateful to the Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival Selection Committee and truly appreciate this great honor," said screenwriter Kevin Stirling.

"Committee of Five" revisits the mood of uncertainty hanging over the Congress as it seeks unanimity among the 13 colonies for independence. With tensions high, the Committee of Five members comprising John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Richard R. Livingston meet to move forward, even as Congress wrestles with conflicting calls for both independence from patriots and loyalists' appeals for compromise.

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The script features flashes of Franklin's diplomatic prowess along with an appreciation for Adams' struggles, fiery oratory and relentless quest for independence, as he persuades Thomas Jefferson to take the lead role in writing the document. Jefferson agrees and begins working quickly in a rented 2nd floor room at 7th and Market Streets. Jefferson works tirelessly and completes his declaration draft, sharing it on June 28th with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Both men approve of Jefferson's declaration, offering only minor edits.

"Committee of Five" follows in the tradition of historical screenplays that integrate true events with carefully crafted fictional subplots. The storyline imagines private moments in Thomas Jefferson's life, notably his relationship with Sally Hemings, who in the screenplay accompanies him to Philadelphia as he drafts his extraordinary document.

As he labors over his declaration, Jefferson's affections for Sally Hemings, his mistress and slave, are evident, as he inserts one special grievance into the document condemning slavery and blaming King George. Both Sally Hemings and Jefferson are happy and hopeful that slavery might end, but unsure if Congress will approve it in the final declaration draft.

The narrative follows Jefferson's completed draft and Congress's eventual removal of nearly 25 percent of the text—including Jefferson's clause condemning slavery—before finally adopting the Declaration on July 4, 1776.

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To date, "Committee of Five" has also been recognized as an Official Selection in various screenplay competitions including: Hollywood Stage Script Film Competition, Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship, Los Angeles Short Film Awards, Synergy Film Festival, and it has been named a Semi-Finalist in the Circa Historical Screenplay Competition and a Finalist in the New York Script Awards.

"Exploration and history fascinate me and I am drawn to opportunities writing and producing films, historical programming and documentaries, especially for television," Stirling said. "With major platforms like Netflix, PBS, Hulu, Story Syndicate, Imagine Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video, History Channel, AppleTV, NatGeo and CNNFilms, today's content landscape has never been more dynamic. Networks and streamers are actively seeking fresh ideas and compelling programming."

Stirling has multiple screenplay and film projects in development including new sci-fi and history ventures about Amelia Earhart, President Lincoln and also "SKYLINES" a cable pilot showcasing architecture with local architects, architectural experts and notable guests.

In addition to his screenwriting and film projects in development, Stirling is completing graduate studies in the Television and Media Management M.S. program at Drexel University.
Stirling's award-winning documentary films including "Moon Beat," "Go For Landing" and others can be viewed at https://gospacefilms.com