I’m Massimo Salvato, a screenwriter, story consultant, and film educator with over twenty years of experience shaping screenplay development, narrative adaptation, and creative mentoring. I help filmmakers turn personal stories and visual material into pitch-ready screenplays, guiding from notes, drawings, or footage to clear, professionally formatted drafts. My practice spans documentary, fiction, and animation-adjacent storytelling. I mentor non-professional writers, refine character, dialogue, pacing, and structure, and deliver polished drafts to tight deadlines. I bring a strong visual sensibility honed through directing, producing, and editing across international projects.

Massimo Salvato

I’m Massimo Salvato, a screenwriter, story consultant, and film educator with over twenty years of experience shaping screenplay development, narrative adaptation, and creative mentoring. I help filmmakers turn personal stories and visual material into pitch-ready screenplays, guiding from notes, drawings, or footage to clear, professionally formatted drafts. My practice spans documentary, fiction, and animation-adjacent storytelling. I mentor non-professional writers, refine character, dialogue, pacing, and structure, and deliver polished drafts to tight deadlines. I bring a strong visual sensibility honed through directing, producing, and editing across international projects.

Available to hire

I’m Massimo Salvato, a screenwriter, story consultant, and film educator with over twenty years of experience shaping screenplay development, narrative adaptation, and creative mentoring. I help filmmakers turn personal stories and visual material into pitch-ready screenplays, guiding from notes, drawings, or footage to clear, professionally formatted drafts.

My practice spans documentary, fiction, and animation-adjacent storytelling. I mentor non-professional writers, refine character, dialogue, pacing, and structure, and deliver polished drafts to tight deadlines. I bring a strong visual sensibility honed through directing, producing, and editing across international projects.

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Language

Italian
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Independent Filmmaker / Producer / Editor at Independent (UK, Kenya, Italy, Poland)
January 1, 2005 - Present
Directed and edited award-nominated and internationally screened films including Carmen, Muse, The Shaman of Rust, Free Runner, and The Volunteer Story. Produced and filmed (ongoing project) Fursa – Cyfle – Opportunity (2024–25), a feature documentary spanning Wales and Kenya documenting disability empowerment initiatives. Delivered high-quality short-form documentary and commercial videos for arts organisations and clients including VSO, Wajda Studio, Arts Council Wales, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, ELAN (European Live Arts Network), and Softwashing UK. Adept at shooting solo or with small crews, using professional camera setups (RED, DSLR, mobile), and producing rapid-turnaround edits.
Documentary Filmmaker at ResponsABLE Assistance / Welsh Government Fursa Initiative (Kenya)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Filmed and edited short documentaries and case studies of disabled entrepreneurs and community groups in Makueni County, Kenya. Produced efficient, high-quality content under challenging field conditions for international NGO reporting and awareness.
Film Lecturer / Consultant at Coleg Gwent & Cardiff University
January 1, 2004 - Present
Course leader and educator in Film Studies, Media Production, and Storytelling. Conducted workshops on mobile cinematography, editing, and creative screenwriting for Ffilm Cymru Wales and AWP NHS Trust.
Screenwriter & Story Consultant (Freelance) at Self-employed / UK & International
January 1, 2005 - Present
Wrote, developed, and adapted screenplays for documentary, fiction, and visually driven narrative projects. Guided creators from personal stories, notes, and visual references into clear, professionally formatted screenplays suitable for pitching. Provided hands-on mentoring, structural feedback, and redrafts focused on clarity, pacing, character arcs, and dialogue. Delivered polished screenplay drafts under short timeframes, often within 1-2 days development windows.
Independent Film Director / Producer / Editor at Independent (UK, Kenya, Italy, Poland)
January 1, 2005 - Present
Writer and director of award-nominated and internationally screened films including Carmen, Muse, and The Shaman of Rust. Currently developing Fursa (2024-Present), a feature documentary driven by character-led storytelling and visual narrative. Extensive experience shaping story through edit – strengthening structural instincts directly applicable to screenplay development.
Film Educator & Creative Mentor at Coleg Gwent & Cardiff University
January 1, 2004 - Present
Mentored students and emerging writers in screenwriting, storytelling, and narrative adaptation. Supported non-professional writers in transforming personal experiences into coherent screenplays. Delivered workshops on screenwriting, visual storytelling, and narrative structure.

Education

MA Film at University of South Wales
January 1, 2005 - January 7, 2026
PGCE in Education at University of South Wales
January 1, 2011 - January 7, 2026
BA Economics at University of Naples
January 1, 1994 - January 7, 2026
EKRAN MEDIA European Training for Film Professionals at Wajda Studio, Poland
January 1, 2007 - January 7, 2026
MA Film at University of South Wales
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005
PGCE in Education at University of South Wales
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
BA Economics at University of Naples
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1994
EKRAN MEDIA European Training for Film Professionals at Wajda Studio, Poland
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2007

Qualifications

EKRAN MEDIA European Training for Film Professionals
January 1, 2007 - January 7, 2026
Full UK Driving Licence
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other