Semifinalist, 45 Forward Screenwriting Fellowship (2026)
BIO
Mary Ann Rotondi writes elevated commercial features driven by complex women navigating impossible situations. Her emotionally grounded, high-concept stories span multiple genres, blending sweeping cinematic scope with raw, deeply felt human relationships.
A native of Butte, Montana, Mary Ann began her career as a producer, director, and writer for Dateline NBC and CBS News' 48 Hours, earning Emmy, Gracie, Clarion, and New York Press Club awards. Her screenplays have been recognized by leading competitions and labs, including the PAGE Awards, Creative World Awards, and The Owl Screenwriting Workshop and Industry Days in Athens, Greece. She wrote and directed the award-winning narrative short Queen of the Desert. Mary Ann holds a B.A. in English from Yale University and an MFA in Film from Stanford University.