WRITER PROFILE
It’s always great to get together with a large group of writers and investors and keep up to date on what’s new, the screenplay contest, any recent deals, new dealmaker contacts, agents or managers that are looking and simply encouraging everyone to keep going after every dream in this difficult industry. For the hard working writer we want to do as much as we can to continue the exposure and word of mouth in the investment circles of the industry. Another way we do this is with writer interviews that we send far and wide and showcase at all possible meetings and markets.
We want to encourage your writing spirit, motivate you and again give you the accolades you so deserve.
Shadow In Hawthorn Bay
Written by Steven Mitchell
What motivated you to become a writer?
I began my career as a film and television editor, where I developed a deep understanding of visual storytelling and the craft of shaping compelling narratives. That foundation led to post-production producing before evolving into story producing, series producing, and creative leadership on hundreds of hours of award-winning films and television. Over four decades, I’ve approached storytelling at every stage of the creative process, and now, from the blank page, as a feature screenwriter.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
I’m drawn to storytelling in all its forms, literature, film, audio, and even the simple art of conversation. I’m inspired by emotionally resonant historical dramas, myth and folklore, elevated science fiction, and darkly absurd worlds, always grounded in character-driven stories brought to life through vivid cinematic imagery.
Do you write projects knowing that so many other factors need to happen to get it to screen and does that come into your project creation?
I believe every screenplay must earn its place as a film by balancing creative ambition with practical realities. But long before I consider budgets, audiences, or production, I ask a simpler question: What does this story reveal about being human? I’m drawn to moments when ordinary people are tested by extraordinary circumstances, because that is where character is stripped bare, resilience is discovered, and the deepest truths about ourselves emerge. Those are the stories I feel compelled to tell.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
My dream for Shadow In Hawthorn Bay is to create a timeless feature film that resonates across generations, a visually rich historical drama that combines romance, mystery, folklore, and emotional authenticity. I want audiences to leave the theatre feeling they have experienced a story that is both deeply personal and universally human.
Beyond its initial theatrical and streaming release, I believe the film has meaningful ancillary potential. As an adaptation of Janet Lunn’s beloved novel, it can introduce a new generation of readers to the original work while expanding its reach through educational and literary communities. The film also lends itself to international distribution, television licensing, home entertainment, soundtrack releases, and festival exhibition. Its Canadian and Scottish settings create opportunities for heritage and cultural tourism partnerships, while its themes of resilience, belonging, and folklore offer value for educational programming and community screenings.
Most importantly, my hope is that Shadow In Hawthorn Bay establishes itself as a film that audiences continue to discover for years to come.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Shadow In Hawthorn Bay has had an encouraging journey through the screenwriting competition circuit. It has received recognition from a number of respected international competitions, including wins, finalist placements, and other high-ranking finishes. Most recently, it was placed in the 2026 Capital Fund Screenplay Competition’s HOT 100 LIST, further reinforcing the screenplay’s appeal to industry readers.
While those accolades haven’t transformed the project’s fortunes overnight, they have given me something just as valuable: confidence that I’m on the right path. When independent readers and judges, working in different competitions and from different perspectives, continue to respond to the same story, it suggests the screenplay is connecting in the ways I hoped it would.
The competitions have also provided thoughtful feedback that has helped me strengthen the script while preserving the story I set out to tell. More than anything, the experience has reinforced my belief that Shadow In Hawthorn Bay has the emotional depth, historical richness, and cinematic qualities to find its audience and ultimately make the journey from screenplay to feature film.
If you could stand in a room full of investor partners looking at many projects what would you like them to know about you and this project?
My screenplay, Shadow In Hawthorn Bay, is the culmination of years of persistence, refinement, and unwavering belief in a story worth telling, and I hope they will see in both the screenplay and me a partner committed to creating a film with lasting emotional and commercial value.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share
The personal website is: www.fullkiltpursuits.com
Shadow In Hawthorn Bay also has a dedicated Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/shadowinhawthornbay