Santa Rosa writer and filmmaker John Harden (at right above) and his writing partner, Skot  Christopherson of South San Francisco (left), won an award the Austin Film Festival’s annual screenwriter’s  competition in Austin, Texas, last Saturday (Oct. 24).

Harden and Christopherson, both 47, won in the science fiction category  for their script, titled “The Sensitivity Program,” which Harden describes as “a futuristic, genderbending take on the women in prison genre.”

The two writers will split the $2,500 cash prize, but the real value lies in the filmmakers they met at the festival, Harden said.

“Next we’re fielding the contacts that were made at the Austin Film Festival, which were substantial, and waiting to see what else comes in,” Harden said.

Harden’s animation and short film work has appeared at Utah’s Slamdance Film Festival and the Rotterdam International Film Festival, and has been shown on the Public Broadcasting System.

“I’ve been to a lot of festivals, all over the world, really, and won some awards,” Harden said.

Last March, Harden won one of three Sonoma County Artist Awards, presented by the Arts Council of Sonoma County, which came with a $5,000 grant.

“It helps,” Harden said.