I'm a native New Yorker. Originally an actress, I segued into writing screenplays. My first script was an adaptation of Anne Tyler’s first novel, “If Morning Ever Comes,” later optioned and developed by American Playhouse. Another adaptation, a novella of “Lipstick on the Host,” by Irish author Aidan Mathews, was optioned and put into development by World 2000.

Other feature scripts include, “Common Ground,” “There Will Be A Fish,” “Hair of the Dog,” “Four Eyes,” “Ain’t That A Kick,” "Franny" (a pilot). Two recent short scripts are "Seeds" and "Roadside." I'm currently working on my next feature project, "Invisible" as well as a feature documentary, "Forty Years in a Box," which is currently in post-production.

In 2012, I wrote and directed my first short film, LAST DAY. This turned out to be the first of a trilogy, which also includes OLD JUNK (2013) and UPSIDE DOWN (2014), which won an Audience Choice Award. My other short films are UPROOTED (2014) and WALKIN' (2014) and HANDS (2018). In September 2016, I wrote and directed my first feature film, STARFISH. The film completed post-production the end of 2017 and screened at film festivals around the country in 2018. STARFISH won an Audience Choice Award at Mystic Film Festival October 2018. It is currently available for viewing on Amazon Prime and IndieFlix.

For six years, I was Director of Development for Martin Scorsese's company, Cappa Productions. During that time I was Associate Producer and Script Consultant on two feature films: "Brides" aka "Nyfes," starring Damian Lewis, directed by Pantelis Voulgaris, executive produced by Martin Scorsese and "Deuces Wild" (MGM/UA). Prior to that, I worked at Universal Pictures (NY) for two years as assistant to the VP Production and managed the story department.

I was a juror two times for Minnesota Film Fund and a judge for McKnight Screenwriting Fellowship/IFP North, and an IFP Panelist. I also taught "The Business of Writing" for Film' at The New School.

For ten years I taught screenwriting at New York Film Academy. I also do script consulting. In addition, I'm a psychotherapist (LCSW). To me, this is a perfect complement to my work as a writer/director/filmmaker.

Member of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT)

Member Gotham (formerly IFP)

Emeritus Member of Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE)

Shira Levin