SANDINA DAKHEL
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 PictureSANDINA DAKHEL
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Unfortunately, Naperville, Illinois (Kidding. Mostly)

Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel?
The inspiration came from how fast AI is moving. Every day there’s a new headline, a new “revolution”, a new existential crisis. I wanted to explore what it would actually look like if it all went too far, too fast. I wrote it as a script because it’s something that needs to be seen. Film lets you feel satire viscerally. You can laugh, cringe, and question things all in the same breath.

How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN?
It took me a few weeks to really think everything through and revise– but I did it obsessively. Once the idea hit, I couldn’t stop. My mind was going faster than my words could keep up. My process is visual. I imagine the movie playing in my head like it already exists. I outline loosely, then jump right into FADE IN and let the dialogue reveal the structure.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
To build a career telling stories that feel both human and sharp. Ones that make people think, laugh or see the world a little differently. I want to grow into producing, too, so I can help other writers get their voices heard. Basically, to build something that lasts longer than the scroll.

Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
I entered full short script. The story relies on its escalating absurdity. The layers of bureaucracy, the emotional collapse of the human actor, so it needed the full arc to land. The punchline only works once you’ve seen how far the system goes.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
I’m a John Wick fan. Unapologetically. The story, the precision, the quiet intensity, it’s beautiful chaos. I also love The Covenant by Guy Ritchie. It’s an incredible story about loyalty and humanity under pressure. Both prove you can have nonstop action and still care about what’s happening.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Write about what excites you– the thing you can’t keep to yourself. Don’t worry about what others might think or whether it fits a trend. If it lights you up, it’ll show on the page. No one will fan your fire like you will, so keep going, even when it’s just you and the blank screen.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I’m working on a few stories that I’m excited about. One of them might even make you question your phone a little. They all mix heart, humor, and a little bit of social relevance. I like writing things that make people laugh and think, sometimes in the same line.