Devon Cohen’s screenplay becomes a finalist at festivals in Berlin and Cambridge
Lev Shevtsov03
September
2026
23:03
The screenplay for the psychological thriller For the Love of Man by South African author Devon Cohen was named a finalist at the Berlin International Screenwriting Festival and the Cambridge Script Festival in 2026. Daily Maverick reports.
The work is set in contemporary Cape Town. Its protagonist is psychology student Peter Connelly. He is initially portrayed as a successful student, but sociopathic traits later emerge in his behavior. According to Cohen, the plot traces how childhood trauma affects people in the character’s circle.
Screenplay recognitions
Cohen said that For the Love of Man is not intended for a wide audience and may provoke a strong reaction because of its themes of trauma, violence and exploitation. The Berlin International Screenwriting Festival described the work as a psychological thriller about trauma, manipulation and the dark sides of the human psyche, noting its character exploration and bold storytelling.
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The screenplay also received an honorable mention from the Athens Film Festival. In total, it has been submitted to 12 international film and screenwriting festivals, with results expected to be determined over the coming months.
The author’s journalism experience
The 43-year-old Cohen was born in Pietermaritzburg. In 1996, his family settled in Gqeberha, where he completed school and earned a degree in media, communication and culture at Nelson Mandela University.
Cohen worked on the team of investigative journalist Debora Patta on the program 3rd Degree, was a reporter for The Herald, and later became the principal lecturer in media studies at Eduvos College. The author said that his journalism experience and work with complex topics influenced his screenplay ideas. His first published screenplay, Dark Embers, was released in 2016.
