Looks like you have JavaScript disabled. For the full Twine experience, you will need to re-enable it.

Hi, I’m Michael Celender, a Johannesburg-based screenwriter, consultant and indie producer who fell in love with movies after catching Indiana Jones in the late eighties. Born and raised in South Africa, I’ve also lived in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. I’ve written three features (including an adaptation) and four shorts, with scripts placing in local and international screenwriting contests, and I produced my first short in 2023. I was mentored early on by veteran SA writer-producer Chris Dresser, studied the craft with Syd Field and Blake Snyder, and sought inspiration from seminars in LA with industry professionals like Eric Sherman. My screenwriting and filmmaking highlights include promoting Israeli film projects in 2016, securing an NFVF development grant for Affirmative Action, and adapting He Died Alone in Tijuana into Crossing Borders, which earned praise from an Emmy-winning screenwriter and reached semi-finalist status at WeScreenplay in 2019. In 2023 I shot Eloise in Durban and I’m developing The Maccabee, Eloise, and Umbono/Premonition, with a KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission production grant supporting Eloise’s post-production.…Hi, I’m Michael Celender, a Johannesburg-based screenwriter, consultant and indie producer who fell in love with movies after catching Indiana Jones in the late eighties. Born and raised in South Africa, I’ve also lived in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. I’ve written three features (including an adaptation) and four shorts, with scripts placing in local and international screenwriting contests, and I produced my first short in 2023. I was mentored early on by veteran SA writer-producer Chris Dresser, studied the craft with Syd Field and Blake Snyder, and sought inspiration from seminars in LA with industry professionals like Eric Sherman. My screenwriting and filmmaking highlights include promoting Israeli film projects in 2016, securing an NFVF development grant for Affirmative Action, and adapting He Died Alone in Tijuana into Crossing Borders, which earned praise from an Emmy-winning screenwriter and reached semi-finalist status at WeScreenplay in 2019. In 2023 I shot Eloise in Durban and I’m developing The Maccabee, Eloise, and Umbono/Premonition, with a KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission production grant supporting Eloise’s post-production.

Michael Celender





Hi, I’m Michael Celender, a Johannesburg-based screenwriter, consultant and indie producer who fell in love with movies after catching Indiana Jones in the late eighties. Born and raised in South Africa, I’ve also lived in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. I’ve written three features (including an adaptation) and four shorts, with scripts placing in local and international screenwriting contests, and I produced my first short in 2023. I was mentored early on by veteran SA writer-producer Chris Dresser, studied the craft with Syd Field and Blake Snyder, and sought inspiration from seminars in LA with industry professionals like Eric Sherman. My screenwriting and filmmaking highlights include promoting Israeli film projects in 2016, securing an NFVF development grant for Affirmative Action, and adapting He Died Alone in Tijuana into Crossing Borders, which earned praise from an Emmy-winning screenwriter and reached semi-finalist status at WeScreenplay in 2019. In 2023 I shot Eloise in Durban and I’m developing The Maccabee, Eloise, and Umbono/Premonition, with a KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission production grant supporting Eloise’s post-production.…Hi, I’m Michael Celender, a Johannesburg-based screenwriter, consultant and indie producer who fell in love with movies after catching Indiana Jones in the late eighties. Born and raised in South Africa, I’ve also lived in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. I’ve written three features (including an adaptation) and four shorts, with scripts placing in local and international screenwriting contests, and I produced my first short in 2023. I was mentored early on by veteran SA writer-producer Chris Dresser, studied the craft with Syd Field and Blake Snyder, and sought inspiration from seminars in LA with industry professionals like Eric Sherman. My screenwriting and filmmaking highlights include promoting Israeli film projects in 2016, securing an NFVF development grant for Affirmative Action, and adapting He Died Alone in Tijuana into Crossing Borders, which earned praise from an Emmy-winning screenwriter and reached semi-finalist status at WeScreenplay in 2019. In 2023 I shot Eloise in Durban and I’m developing The Maccabee, Eloise, and Umbono/Premonition, with a KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission production grant supporting Eloise’s post-production.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Michael Celender, a Johannesburg-based screenwriter, consultant and indie producer who fell in love with movies after catching Indiana Jones in the late eighties. Born and raised in South Africa, I’ve also lived in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. I’ve written three features (including an adaptation) and four shorts, with scripts placing in local and international screenwriting contests, and I produced my first short in 2023.

I was mentored early on by veteran SA writer-producer Chris Dresser, studied the craft with Syd Field and Blake Snyder, and sought inspiration from seminars in LA with industry professionals like Eric Sherman. My screenwriting and filmmaking highlights include promoting Israeli film projects in 2016, securing an NFVF development grant for Affirmative Action, and adapting He Died Alone in Tijuana into Crossing Borders, which earned praise from an Emmy-winning screenwriter and reached semi-finalist status at WeScreenplay in 2019. In 2023 I shot Eloise in Durban and I’m developing The Maccabee, Eloise, and Umbono/Premonition, with a KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission production grant supporting Eloise’s post-production.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Hebrew (modern)

Beginner

Afrikaans

Beginner

Work Experience

Screenwriter / Independent Producer / Consultant at Self-employed (South Africa)

January 1, 2016 - Present

Developed and pitched screenplays for film and television; wrote features including 'Affirmative Action' and 'Crossing Borders'; consulted on numerous scripts and provided marketing input for film and corporate projects; produced first short in 2023; mentored by Chris Dresser; studied classic craft texts; engaged in LA-based seminars (2009-2014).

Screenwriter / Development Consultant at Izzy (Israeli streaming service) – slate promotion

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

Promoted and helped develop a slate of film projects for the Israeli producer Izzy (current CEO of the streaming service Izzy).

Development Grant Recipient at National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

NFVF development grant for the feature screenplay 'Affirmative Action'.

Adaptation Screenwriter / Producer at Crossing Borders

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

Full adaptation deal for the book/memoir 'He Died Alone in Tijuana', resulting in the 'Crossing Borders' screenplay; under consideration by top producers and talent over the years.

Consultant / Writer – Children’s Book Series Adaptation at Israeli sports celebrity adaptation project

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018

Consulted on adapting a children’s book series into a feature (2016–2018).

Screenwriter / Adaptation – Crossing Borders at Crossing Borders

January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Adaptation and historical drama 'Crossing Borders' received an 8/10 rating by a NATAS Emmy-winning screenwriter; semi-finalist in 2019 WeScreenplay awards.

Screenwriter – Affirmative Action at Muse Awards

January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

'Affirmative Action' screenplay awarded as semi-finalist in the Muse Awards (2019).

Pilot Consultant – Unscripted Reality Series at And Off She Goes

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Assisted with the pilot episode of the unscripted reality series 'And Off She Goes'.

Producer / Screenwriter at Eloise

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

Shot the sci-fi pandemic romance 'Eloise' in Durban, South Africa.

Script Consultant / Coverage at Self-employed

January 1, 2022 - Present

Ongoing consultation and coverage on a number of spec screenplays.

Screenwriter / Development at Self-employed

January 1, 2023 - Present

Current development projects include 'The Maccabee' (epic historical feature); 'Eloise' (sci-fi pandemic romance, in post); 'Umbono' / 'Premonition' (African supernatural drama). Production funding grant for Eloise received from the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission in 2023; currently in post.

Consultant / Marketing at Israeli Producer (Izzy)

January 1, 2016 - Present

Promoted a slate of film projects for an Israeli producer; involved in marketing and project development.

Screenwriter / Adaptation at Crossing Borders (Book Adaptation)

January 1, 2016 - Present

Full adaptation deal for the book He Died Alone in Tijuana by Raymond Dayan; developed the Crossing Borders screenplay; attracted interest from top producers and talent.

Consultant / Adaptation at Israeli sports celebrity & musician

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018

Consulted on adapting his children’s book series into a feature.

Assistant / Pilot Episode Consultant at Unscripted Reality Series (And Off She Goes)

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Assisted with the pilot episode development of the unscripted reality series.

Producer / Filmmaker

January 1, 2023 - Present

Shot the sci-fi pandemic romance Eloise in Durban, South Africa; currently in post-production.

Consultant / Screenplay Coverage

January 1, 2022 - Present

Provided consultation and coverage on a number of spec screenplays (2022 – ongoing).

Corporate Video Producer / Copywriter

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2023

Edited and consulted on The Best Online Business of the 21st Century video series; wrote an explainer video for Tera Group; produced marketing videos for InstaUnicorn and corporate videos for The Avnon Group (IPO ceremony and new mobile app).