National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove's novel My Best Year is moving forward toward feature-film production, with a completed screenplay by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Barney Cohen and discussions now turning toward casting and financing. The project was brokered by Allan Graffman and Rosebud Productions, with Cohen and The Ivan Group involved in developing the property for the screen. Ekkle, a faith-oriented film production company, has approved the screenplay and has been involved in discussions concerning financing, casting, and production.
My Best Year tells the story of Paul and Julie Clampet, parents determined to give their autistic son, Toby, the senior year they believe every teenager deserves. After Toby is expelled from his high school, they find a struggling school in Indiana and enlist its teachers and students in an audacious plan to give Toby his best year ever—including a winning touchdown, a place in the homecoming parade, and a date to the homecoming dance. Funny, poignant, and ultimately uplifting, My Best Year explores family, acceptance, adolescence, and the lengths parents will go to give their child a chance to belong.
"The story has always been about parents refusing to accept that their son should have to stand on the sidelines of life," Hazelgrove said. "Seeing that story move toward the screen is tremendously exciting."
The production team is exploring a range of budgets depending upon the talent ultimately attached to the project. Casting discussions are expected to play an important role in determining the scope of the production. This development marks a significant step for the novel, which has resonated with readers for its heartfelt portrayal of a family's devotion.
Hazelgrove is the author of numerous novels and narrative nonfiction books and has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. His work has been featured by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, NPR, C-SPAN, and other national media. Several of his books have been optioned or developed for film and television. He served as the Ernest Hemingway Writer-in-Residence, writing for ten years in the attic of Hemingway's birthplace in Oak Park, Illinois. His books include The Pitcher, Dead Air, Henry Knox's Noble Train, Capone's Vault, and the forthcoming The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism.
The adaptation of My Best Year into a feature film underscores the growing trend of bringing heartfelt, character-driven stories to the screen. With a screenplay already approved and key production partners in place, the project is poised to attract talent and financing, potentially bringing this inspiring narrative to a wider audience. The involvement of Ekkle, known for faith-oriented productions, suggests a focus on themes of family and acceptance that align with the novel's core messages.
