Rita Hanner-Ward | Screenwriter

Rita Hanner-Ward | ScreenwriterRita Hanner-Ward | ScreenwriterRita Hanner-Ward | Screenwriter

Rita Hanner-Ward | Screenwriter

Rita Hanner-Ward | ScreenwriterRita Hanner-Ward | ScreenwriterRita Hanner-Ward | Screenwriter
  • Home
  • Portfolio
  • Pitch Decks
  • Spotlight
  • Festivals | Connect
  • More
    • Home
    • Portfolio
    • Pitch Decks
    • Spotlight
    • Festivals | Connect
  • Home
  • Portfolio
  • Pitch Decks
  • Spotlight
  • Festivals | Connect

BEHIND THE SCENES

Black and white photo of a cluttered desk with laptops and a lamp.

Contest & Festival Recognition

Storytelling Approach

My screenwriting work continues to grow through stories rooted in honesty, emotional depth, and character‑driven conflict. Both my feature and short screenplays have earned recognition in multiple competitions, reflecting a commitment to grounded, human storytelling across drama, dark comedy, and relationship‑centered narratives. I’m always open to meaningful collaborations with writers and filmmakers who value authenticity, nuance, and strong character craft. 

Hurrah for What We Leave Unsaid

This summer, the feature screenplay earned a Quarter‑Finalist nomination in the Palm Springs Diversity Screenplay Contest — a welcome recognition from a competition committed to championing inclusive storytelling. It also earned a Semi‑Finalist spot at the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards, another steady step forward in its 2026 contest season. These placements have been meaningful markers as the drama continues to find its way across festivals and competitions. And earlier this spring, the screenplay was a Finalist in the Wiki Fastest Screenplay Contest. The script also received an Honorable Mention from the Faith Fest Screenwriting Competition, showing the film’s themes of forgiveness, healing, and emotional transformation resonate strongly with values‑driven audiences. More recently, the screenplay advanced to the Quarterfinalist round of the Scriptation Showcase Script Competition. More updates to come as the competition moves to the next round of judging.


Other Recognition:

Palm Springs Pitch Deck & Sizzle Reel Contest — Semifinalist (Pitch Deck)  

Some Great News for Ted

Fantastic news from the Oregon Short Film Festival: Six Degrees of Ted just won Best Comedy Screenplay and is a nominee for another award at the Roscommon International Film Festival. This 2026 festival season, it also earned Finalist nods in the Wiki Screenplay Contest, the LA International Screenplay Competition, the Austin Short Film Festival, and the Cambridge and Oxford Script Awards, and Semi‑Finalist status in the Flickers’ RIFF Screenplay Competition— a major honor and a meaningful step forward. The script advanced to the Quarterfinals of the Outstanding Screenplays Shorts Competition — a welcome boost for this oddball, comedic short. It's also an Official Selection at the Atlanta Short Film Festival. Excited to see where Ted's journey takes him next.

Big Wins for The Pillar

I’m thrilled that another short screenplay, The Pillar, won Best Short Script in the July 2026 Wiki Screenplay Contest—a meaningful milestone for a project close to my heart. I’m grateful to the judges and readers who connected with the story. The Pillar also received Semi‑Finalist recognition in the Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards Diversity Contest, a competitive category highlighting fresh, inclusive storytelling. 

Being Joanna: Recent Recognition

Being Joanna continues to build a meaningful contest and festival profile in 2026.  It was selected for the StoryPros International Screenplay Contest, one of the longest‑running competitions known for spotlighting strong writing.  The script earned Semifinalist status in the Wiki Screenplay Contest and the First-Time Feature Screenwriter category at the Melbourne Film Festival Screenplay Awards, a respected, globally recognized festival—placing the script among the top emerging feature writers in an international field. It also advanced to Quarterfinalist in the Page Turner Screenplays Competition, which highlights emotionally resonant, character‑driven storytelling. Most recently, Being Joanna was named an Official Selection at the Berlin International Screenwriting, the Women's Independent Film and Television, and the WRPN Women's International Film Festivals, continuing its international momentum across multiple judging cultures. More updates to come as the festival season unfolds.

In the Spotlight

WIKI'S WALK OF FAME

SBISA SCREENWRITER SHOWCASE

SBISA SCREENWRITER SHOWCASE

Click the button to read my Wiki’s Walk of Fame interview about writing, motivation, and the inspiration behind my first dramatic feature screenplay.

wiki walk of fame

SBISA SCREENWRITER SHOWCASE

SBISA SCREENWRITER SHOWCASE

SBISA SCREENWRITER SHOWCASE

In my SBISA Screenwriter Showcase interview, I share how I take a screenplay from concept to completion and discuss the projects I’m excited to be working on now.

Learn more

July 2026 Wiki Screenplay Contest

Celebrating all the Winners, Finalists, and July Entrants

visit Wiki's website

"What follows the dream of writing is often the nightmare of procrastination."


Rita Hanner-Ward

Copyright © 2026 Rita Hanner-Ward - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept