Feature Screenplays

Stephen “SJ” Settimi

West Virginia screenwriter of character-driven thrillers and dramas. Each script below lists its competition laurels; full PDFs are available to read.

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images/stories/painted-in-blood.jpg Illustration for the thriller screenplay Painted in Blood

Once Upon a Fortnight

Also submitted as Painted in Blood and 12th Hour Painting

Genre: ThrillerFormat: FeaturePages: 107

[Logline coming soon.]

Awards & Selections

  • iconHollywood Stage Script Film Competition laurel
    WinnerHollywood Stage Script Film CompetitionBest Thriller Screenplay, 2025
  • iconM&R Pictures Screenwriting Awards laurel
    Award WinnerM&R Pictures Screenwriting AwardsScreenwriter
  • iconBest Script Award London laurel
    FinalistBest Script Award – LondonGrand Prix: Feature Screenplay
  • iconCannes Script Festival laurel
    FinalistCannes Script FestivalFeature Script (eligible for Grand Prix)
  • iconCambridge Script Festival laurel
    FinalistCambridge Script FestivalFeature Screenplay
  • iconInternational Indie Film and Screenplay Festival laurel
    FinalistInternational Indie Film & Screenplay FestivalBest Screenplay Feature Film
  • iconNYC Screenplay Contest laurel
    Semi-FinalistNYC Screenplay ContestFeature Screenplay, 2025
  • iconGolden Script Competition laurel
    Quarter-FinalistThe Golden Script CompetitionFeature Screenplay, 2026
  • iconCannes Arts Fest laurel
    NomineeCannes Arts FestBest Narrative Feature
  • iconAtlanta Cinema Awards laurel
    NomineeAtlanta Cinema AwardsBest Script Feature
  • iconDirector's Cut International Film Festival laurel
    NomineeDirector’s Cut International Film FestivalBest Screenplay Feature Film
  • iconNew York Screenplay Competition laurel
    Honorable MentionNew York Screenplay CompetitionBest Feature Screenplay
  • iconHollywood International Indie Film and Screenplay Awards laurel
    Honorable MentionHollywood International Indie Film & Screenplay AwardsFirst Time Screenwriter (Feature)
  • iconTokyo Film and Screenplay Awards laurel
    Honorable MentionTokyo Film & Screenplay AwardsFirst Time Screenwriter (Feature)
  • iconNew York Script Awards laurel
    Official SelectionNew York Script AwardsGrand Prix: Feature Script
  • iconChicago Script Awards laurel
    Official SelectionChicago Script AwardsGrand Prix: First Time Screenwriter (Feature)
  • iconInroads Screenwriting Fellowship laurel
    SelectedInroads Screenwriting FellowshipFellowship Screenplay Entry
Read the screenplay (PDF)
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images/stories/escape-artists.jpg Illustration for the Appalachian music drama Escape Artists

Escape Artists

Genre: Drama / MusicFormat: FeaturePages: 117Setting: West Virginia

Fifty years after she fled a West Virginia hollow for Nashville, a music producer returns to face the family her leaving broke — and finds its youngest dreamer, a star quarterback who’d rather play guitar, standing at the same crossroads with a pregnant girlfriend and one week to choose.

Awards & Selections

  • iconNYC Screenplay Contest laurel
    FinalistNYC Screenplay ContestFeature Screenplay
  • iconSan Diego Independent Cinema Awards laurel
    NomineeSan Diego Independent Cinema AwardsBest Screenplay (Feature)
  • iconMontreal Independent Film Festival laurel
    NomineeMontreal Independent Film FestivalBest Unproduced Feature Script
  • iconPitch Now Screenplay Competition laurel
    Quarter-FinalistPitch Now Screenplay CompetitionFeature Length Screenplays
  • iconEmerging Screenwriters laurel
    Quarter-FinalistEmerging Screenwriters Genre Competition2025
  • iconYour Script Produced 360 laurel
    Official SelectionYour Script Produced! 360Feature
Read the screenplay (PDF)
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images/stories/still-runs.jpg Illustration for the thriller screenplay Still Runs

Still Runs

Genre: ThrillerFormat: Feature

[Logline coming soon.]

Awards & Selections

  • iconBreaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Contest laurel
    FinalistBreaking Walls Thriller Screenplay ContestThriller Screenplay
Read the screenplay (PDF)
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images/stories/between-knits-and-purls.jpg Illustration for the crime screenplay Between Knits and Purls

Between Knits and Purls

Genre: CrimeFormat: Feature

[Logline coming soon.]

Awards & Selections

  • iconLos Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival laurel
    Semi-FinalistLos Angeles Crime & Horror Film FestivalCrime Feature Screenplay
Read the screenplay (PDF)
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images/stories/doris-darling.jpg Illustration for the screenplay Doris Darling

Doris Darling

Genre: [Genre]Format: Feature

[Logline coming soon.]

Read the screenplay (PDF)