img

Nelson Downend

(He/Him/His)

Screenwriter

Biography

Nelson Downend is an award-winning screenwriter, director and lighting designer based in New York City. His work explores emotional and psychological trauma and the power of the human connection in the aftermath. Informed by his experience as a lighting designer, Nelson’s work often employs a grounded surrealism that enhances the visual storytelling.

Nelson's character driven projects include dark dramas, psychological thrillers, mysteries, and dramatic comedies which have advanced to later rounds in various screenwriting programs and contests including Sundance, ISA, Roadmap Writers, ScreenCraft, Austin Film Festival, Page International Screenwriting Awards, and Final Draft’s Big Break. He currently has several projects on Coverfly’s Red List.

Nelson's directorial work has screened at various film festivals, including The New York Shorts International Film Festival, New York CineFest, the Garden State Film Festival, the Lighthouse International Film Festival and the Richmond International Film Festival. He has also been a Semi-Finalist in the Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Prague Underground Film Festival and the Brooklyn International Short Festival.

Most recently, Nelson has been working as a screenwriter on multiple TV projects being developed by Little River Entertainment.

Nelson received his MFA in TV Writing from Stony Brook University and holds a BFA in Lighting Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Nelson Downend is an award-winning screenwriter, director and lighting designer based in New York City. His work explores emotional and psychological trauma and the power of the human connection in the aftermath. Informed by his experience as a lighting designer, Nelson’s work often employs a grounded surrealism that enhances the visual storytelling.

Nelson's character driven projects include dark dramas, psychological thrillers, mysteries, and dramatic comedies which have advanced to later rounds in various screenwriting programs and contests including Sundance, ISA, Roadmap Writers, ScreenCraft, Austin Film Festival, Page International Screenwriting Awards, and Final Draft’s Big Break. He currently has several projects on Coverfly’s Red List.

Nelson's directorial work has screened at various film festivals, including The New York Shorts International Film Festival, New York CineFest, the Garden State Film Festival, the Lighthouse International Film Festival and the Richmond International Film Festival. He has also been a Semi-Finalist in the Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Prague Underground Film Festival and the Brooklyn International Short Festival.

Most recently, Nelson has been working as a screenwriter on multiple TV projects being developed by Little River Entertainment.

Nelson received his MFA in TV Writing from Stony Brook University and holds a BFA in Lighting Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Projects (17)

img
Rock Bottom
Feature
  • Comedy .
  • Dramedy
0 Recommendation
2 Awards
Watch Video
Available
img
Vitals
Television (One-hour)
  • Crime .
  • Drama .
  • Mystery/Suspense
0 Recommendation
3 Awards
Watch Video
Available
img
PostScript
Feature
  • Drama
0 Recommendation
2 Awards
Watch Video
Available
img
Sick & Tired
TV Pilot
  • Comedy .
  • Drama
0 Recommendation
10 Awards
Watch Video
Available

Credits (2)

img
Ozark
Written by
Spec Episode
  • Crime .
  • Drama .
  • Thriller
0 Recommendation
1 Award
Watch Video
Produced
img
Elementary
Written by
Spec Episode
  • Crime
0 Recommendation
1 Award
Watch Video
Produced

Education

University of North Carolina School of the Arts
BFA in Lighting Design (Design & Production)
Stony Brook University
img

Nelson Downend

Screenwriter

img
Conversations
img
Typing....
close
Privacy Notice

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Settings.