Rita Hanner-Ward

American Screenwriter • Author • Poet
Fiction published under the Kiva Wolfe™ brand.
Colorado roots, desert light.
Transformative love. Stories that endure.

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

My SBISA Writer’s Showcase interview is now live! I talk about storytelling, character craft, and the evolving path of screenwriting. Grateful for the opportunity and excited to share it.
https://t.co/SPzjzjn5Jj

#screenwriter #SBISAWritersShowcase #storiesforthescreen #womenscreenwriters #womenwriters #womeninfilm

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Just recceived word that my screenplay, Being Joanna, is an Official Selection of the Women’s Independent Film & Television Festival. I am grateful for festivals that highlight female‑driven stories. Thank you, WIFTV, for the support.
#femalefilmfestival #womeninfilm #indiefilm #screenwritingcommunity #screenwritersofx

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Just received the news that my short screenplay, Six Degrees of Ted, picked up a new nomination at the Roscommon International Film Festival, adding to its growing UK/Ireland run alongside Cambridge and Oxford. Thank you to every reader who connected with Ted’s offbeat charm and the heart beneath the chaos.
#SixDegreesOfTed #RoscommonFilmFestival #ShortScreenplay #ScreenwritersOfX

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Good news: My dramatic feature screenplay, What We Leave Unsaid, is a Quarterfinalist in the Scriptation Showcase Script Competition. Grateful for the recognition and looking forward to the next round.

#screenwriting #quarterfinalist #scriptationshowcase

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Honored that my short script, Six Degrees of Ted, received Best Comedy Screenplay at the Oregon Short Film Festival. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. OSFF was a terrific showcase of rising short‑film voices, and I’m looking forward to the next steps in Ted’s festival journey. #SixDegreesOfTed #OregonShortFilmFestival #IndieScreenwriting #ShortFilmFestivals

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Some encouraging news this morning: Six Degrees of Ted was named Finalist at Austin ShortsFest. This quirky, dark‑comedic short has built a steady festival trajectory this year, earning recognition for its voice, humor, and heart. I’m grateful for the judges’ support and looking forward to seeing how the rest of Ted's 2026 festival season unfolds. #AustinShortsFest #Finalist #Screenwriting #ScreenwritersofX

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Screenwriting wins this week:
• Six Degrees of Ted — Finalist, Cambridge Script Festival
• Being Joanna — Official Selection, StoryPros International Screenwriting Contest
Appreciative of the support.
#screenwriting #finalist #officialselection

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Some wonderful news from the Oregon Short Film Festival: Six Degrees of Ted was awarded Finalist for Best Comedy. I’m grateful for this moment and want to thank the judges for selecting Ted. This quirky script has had an unexpectedly steady run, continuing through Austin, Rhode Island, and Oxford, England. I’m enjoying every step of its amazing little journey.
#SixDegreesOfTed #OregonShortFilmFestival #Finalist #Screenwriting #ScreenwritersOfX

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Chinese Calendar: September Horse Haiku — A Seasonal Shift

The horse sleeps, standing.
A harvest wind in her mane.
She dreams of apples.

—Rita Hanner-Ward © 2026

#HorseHaiku #FallHaiku #Haiku #NatureHaiku #Poetry #PoetryCommunity

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

This year has been steady, quiet momentum — small updates, little wins, and letting the work speak for itself. Thanks to everyone who’s stayed with me through this creative stretch.

The Pillar was a quiet release… and this week it won Best Short Script in the July Wiki Screenplay Contest. Still taking that in.

My gratitude to the Wiki team runs deep. Their recognition feels like a sign I’m moving in the right direction.

Sharing their full winners page here — congrats to all: https://t.co/JMfsfVWluq

More to come.

#wikiscreenplaycontest #shortscript #awardwinner #bestshortscript #screenwriting #screenwritersofx

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Excited that my short screenplay, Six Degrees of Ted, is an Official Selection at the Austin Short Film Festival this November. Grateful to the judges for seeing a spark in this quirky little dark comedy. Congrats to all the other selectees — honored to be in your company.

Ted promises he’ll behave at the festival… but I wouldn’t bet on it.

#Screenwriting #FilmFestival #AustinShortFilmFestival #SixDegreesOfTed #IndieFilm #DarkComedy

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

My IIBA red‑carpet interview is live. It's a simple, open conversation about the inspiration behind my books and the message at their core — transformational love.
Watch: https://t.co/pmoMiFY9pe
#InternationalImpactBookAwards #RitaHannerWard #KivaWolfe #IndieAuthor #AuthorInterview #RedFlashNovel #TearsOfIemanjáNovel

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Sharing a link to this morning’s SCW Independent, which features a profile on my writing and recent book awards. And yes — the rumors are true. My second‑grade teacher once wrote on my report card that I “told too many stories in class and distracted her and the other students.” In hindsight, that may have been my first professional review. I’m starting to think I should frame it.

Simple Share Buttons https://t.co/lgtXmhJDmD #simplesharebuttons

#indieauthor #womeninfiction #womenwriters #arizonaauthors #writers

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Thrilled to announce that my novel, Red Flash, received the 2026 International Impact Book Awards’ Distinguished Author honor, plus recognition in Multicultural & Interracial Romance. Grateful for this incredible acknowledgment.

#DistinguishedAuthor #RedFlashNovel #InternationalImpactBookAwards #AwardWinningAuthor

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Chinese Calendar: August Sheep Haiku
Summer Fades into Memory

Moss clings to the crag.
A ram stills, ears to the trail.
Whispers breach the ridge.

—Rita Hanner-Ward © 2026

#NaturePoetry #Haiku #SheepHaiku #PoetryCommunity #HaikuLovers

[Rita Hanner-Ward @RHannerWard2025]

Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards has a reputation for thoughtful judging and a genuine appreciation for character‑driven storytelling. I’m honored that my feature screenplay, What We Leave Unsaid, was selected as a Semifinalist this season. Their commitment to discovering and supporting emerging voices means a great deal, and I’m grateful to be included among such talented writers. Congratulations to everyone recognized.

#Screenwriting #Screenwriter #WritingCommunity #FilmFestival #Semifinalist #SantaBarbaraInternationalScreenplayAwards