Nelson Downend is an award-winning screenwriter and lighting designer based in New York City. He was recently named as one of ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026. Currently, Nelson is working as a writer on the Erik Matti helmed TV series, Cicada Fields, in development with Netflix.

Nelson’s written work explores emotional and psychological trauma and the power of the human connection in the aftermath. His television and feature scripts often employ a grounded surrealism to enhance the visual storytelling. His projects include dramas, psychological thrillers, mysteries, crime dramas, and dark dramatic comedies, but are always character driven.

Nelson's scripts have won or have been finalist in many competitions, including The Austin Film Festival, The Page International Screenwriting Awards, Final Draft Big Break, Table Read My Screenplay, NYTVF, ScreenCraft Pilot Launch and Cinequest. He has worked at Development Internships at Levinson-Fontana, Killer Films and Talking Wall Pictures.

Nelson has an MFA in TV Writing from Stony Brook University and a BFA in Lighting Design from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is on the Board of Trustees for The Chocolate Factory Theatre in NYC.