Legendary screenwriter and director Steven E. de Souza, whose films have grossed over $2 billion worldwide, will visit Utah Valley University (UVU) for two days of seminars and masterclasses open to all UVU students.
His visit will feature a rare special screening of his classic action film, “Die Hard.” De Souza, who wrote “Die Hard,” “Die Hard 2,” “Commando,” 48 Hours,” “The Flintstones,” “The Running Man,” and many other genre-defining movies and television shows, will share insights from his celebrated Hollywood career.
Prior to the screening, students selected for the prestigious UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room will be announced. This yearlong program provides aspiring screenwriters the opportunity to develop individual screenplays under the personal mentorship of de Souza, who will also consider selecting one of the projects to potentially direct.
Each Writer’s Room participant will receive a $5,000 Brandon Fugal Fellowship, with the goal of having their scripts move into development at FanX Studios. Notably, actress and director Katie Cassidy is already attached to direct a screenplay by Jessa Wright, one of last year’s Writer’s Room participants.
DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – Mr. de Souza speaks, and the 2025 Writer’s Room participants announced
7 p.m. – “Die Hard” screening begins. Mr. de Souza, UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room participants, FanX Studio executives, UVU Digital Media faculty, and UVU executives will be available for one-on-one media interviews
WHERE: Geneva Megaplex, 600 Mill Road, Vineyard, Utah 84058
- WHO:
- Steven E. de Souza, legendary screenwriter and film producer
- The 2025 UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room participants
- Brent Baum and Jonathan Schwartz, FanX Studios executives
- UVU Digital Media Faculty – Max Burnett and Jerell Rosales
- Wayne Vaught, provost – Sr. vice president of Academic Affairs, UVU
- Tammy Clark, associate provost, UVU.
PARKING: Free parking is available in the Geneva Megaplex parking lot.
