Independent Writers' Caucus
Nelson Downend
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 won or advanced to the later rounds in various screenwriting programs and contests including Table Read My Screenplay, the Austin Film Festival, the Page International Screenwriting Awards, ISA, Stowe Story Labs, Roadmap Writers, ScreenCraft and Final Draft’s Big Break. He currently has several projects on Coverfly’s Red List. Most recently, Nelson worked as a screenwriter on multiple TV projects being developed by Little River Entertainment.
Nelson's films have 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.
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.
Honors & Awards
Table Read My Screenplay (Hollywood) - Grand Prize Winner – Rock Bottom – 2024
Austin Film Festival - Finalist – Rock Bottom – 2024
Cinequest – Finalist - The Divinity Cycle - 2023
non-WGA
Male, 40+
THE DIVINITY CYCLE
One-Hour Drama - Psychological Thriller
A disillusioned Catholic Priest is drawn into a grisly homicide investigation after one of his parishioners confesses to multiple murders.
VITALS
One-Hour Drama - Mystery
Recovering addict Nieve is obsessed with a new museum installation by seminal light artist Henry Saint-James. But when Saint-James’ assistant is found dead, and he shows up on Nieve's doorstep asking for help, Nieve soon begins to worry she may be harboring a murderer.
ROCK BOTTOM
Feature - Dark Dramatic Comedy
Following a chance encounter while throwing up in the same public bathroom, a fifty-five year old alcoholic and a twenty-four year old bulimic form an unlikely bond as they attempt to address their unresolved trauma, mend fences with estranged family and slowly head down the path toward recovery.
Character-driven, Crime, Thriller, Psychological, Limited Series, Dark
Male, 40+
unrepped