THE LOTTO LINE
Written, directed, and produced by Niva Dorell
Adapted from an excerpt from Christola Phoenix’s forthcoming memoir (originally published on The Audacity).
65-year old Christola is standing in line to place her daily lotto numbers in Harlem, NY when she encounters a young woman who doesn’t have enough money to buy food. The young woman’s desperation haunts Christola, who remembers her own childhood growing up poor in 1950s Harlem: a time of trauma, but also stronger community. While Christola doesn’t help the young woman at first, she vows to do better next time. But when she gets another opportunity, will she step off the line?
ENDANGERED
Original feature film screenplay written by Niva Dorell
Set on the eve of the Iranian revolution in 1979, three men - an American, an Israeli, and an Iranian - race against time to rescue four Mesopotamian Fallow deer, a biblical species. Based on a true story.
David Mamet attached as Executive Producer.
LIVING, LIVING
Original feature screenplay written by Niva Dorell
Nailah and Omar are two young people whose love feels designed to last an eternity. When Omar is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, their relationship both speeds up and is cut devastatingly short. Following the devastating loss, Nailah deconstructs their time together to figure out how to let go of Omar and begin embracing her new self. Optioned by The 51 Entertainment.
PIGEONVILLE
Original one hour television pilot written by Niva Dorell
An ambitious gallerist moves back to her small upstate New York hometown to take care of her dysfunctional family and is forced to working for a dangerous art dealer to protect them.
JANE
Original half hour television pilot written by Niva Dorell
Ann introverted woman discovers her true passion when she turns to online sex work at the beginning the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stellar reviews by TheBlcklist; BlueCat screenplay competition: Quarterfinalist.
BYE BYE BABY
One hour television pilot written by Niva Dorell, adapted from Caroline Sullivan’s memoir Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with The Bay City Rollers
Over four hot summers from 1975 to 1979, teenager Caroline Sullivan and her friends criss-crossed the USA in the Rollers' wake. They staked out airports and hotels, tricking airline clerks and wheedling information out of PR companies.
To be produced by Atlanta-based production company The Wondermnt.
TRAVELING MERCIES
Directed by Niva Dorell, written by Madison Trice, produced by Social Cinema Foundation
Two Black high school students have different attitudes about the daily micro aggressions they experience in an ultra wealthy neighborhood of Houston, TX. When one of them encounters a shocking outburst at their private prep school, they’re both forced to reexamine their viewpoints.
