Saundra Mitchell

A screenwriter and author, Saundra Mitchell penned the screenplays for the Fresh Films and Girls in the Director's Chair short film series. Her short story "Ready to Wear" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and her first feature film, Revenge Ends, debuted on the festival circuit in 2008. Her debut novel, Shadowed Summer, won The Society of Midland Authors Book Award for Children's fiction, was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery in 2010. Her next novel, The Vespertine will be published in Spring, 2011. Other screenwriting accomplishments include scripting Scholastic's "Get Active with Widget" webisode "Treasure Hunt" and the 2006 Girls in the Director's Chair image campaign (the foundation for a national PSA in association with Women in Film.) In 2005, she concept-designed and scripted the Metro Chicago United Way's Leadership Campaign. Her first feature film, Revenge Ends, will debut on the festival circuit in 2008. Her films have been selected for competition at many national and international film festivals, including the juried Rhode Island International Film Festival and the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. In 2006, "Goodbye, Howard" and "Last Time We Met" were selected as part of the inaugural Chicago International New Filmmakers Festival. "Goodbye, Howard" was also selected as one of the Top 4 Best of Fest at the Gen Art Film Festival in 2006. "No. 72" and "The Super Dupers" were selected to premiere at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. These festivals are recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as Academy AwardTM qualifying events. Also in 2006, the 10th annual Webby Awards named Fresh Films an official honoree. In other arenas, Ms. Mitchell was interviewed by the New York Times and the BBC for her part in exposing the Kaycee Nicole hoax, and she's been tapped by morning radio shows all over the United States as a guest expert on Urban Legends & Folklore.