Curriculum Vitae

Ela Ilham
von Schöning

Screenwriter · Creator · Singer · Songwriter

Screenwriter and creator writing character-driven feature films and series across drama, comedy, adventure and science fiction. A former recording artist and songwriter, she brings a musician's instinct for rhythm, emotion and character to her storytelling.

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Film

THE SINGER

Feature Screenplay · Dystopian Sci-Fi Drama

Screenwriter / Creator · Completed screenplay

A character-driven dystopian sci-fi with the DNA of a family gangster epic, set in a futuristic city where power, loyalty and betrayal collide, and one extraordinary voice sparks a revolution fought not with weapons, but with sound and frequency.

THE BUSINESS BOYS

Feature Screenplay · Comedy-Drama

Screenwriter / Creator · Completed screenplay

A stylish New York City comedy-drama about family, ambition and loyalty, where a mistaken romance becomes a business strategy and professional chaos collides with the complicated bonds of family.

WHAT A GIRL WANTS, WHAT A GIRL NEEDS

Feature Screenplay · Drama

Screenwriter / Creator · In development

From New Jersey to Manhattan, a coming-of-age drama centered on a young woman and the pursuit of a dream — about ambition, courage, love, hard work, sacrifice, loyalty and never losing faith in yourself.

Television

MIMI & VITUS — ADVENTURE BEHIND THE WALL

Episodic Series · Family Adventure / Fantasy

Screenwriter / Creator · Pilot completed, Season One in development

A contemporary family adventure series where curious twins enter a magical world to explore the questions, emotions and everyday mysteries real kids actually have.

"Today's heroes don't wear capes. They wear hoodies and sneakers."

Awards & Festival Recognition

THE SINGER — Multi-Award-Winning Feature Screenplay

6× Winner · 2× Finalist · 4× Official Selection · 2× Honorable Mention

Brandenburg International Film Festival — Winner
The Great Britain Silver Screen Awards — Winner
Los Angeles Film & Documentary Awards — Winner
Dubai International Cine Carnival — Monthly Winner, Feature Script
Berlin International Screenwriting Festival (BISF) — Finalist

THE BUSINESS BOYS — award-winning feature screenplay, official selections including Whispers of the Universe: IFMelbourne 2026, Red Movie Awards, East Village New York Film Festival, Dubai International Cine Carnival and Box Office Cine Awards.

Music — Singer · Songwriter · Recording Artist

Began her professional career with a recording deal with EMI Milan / EMI Italy.
Recording artist and singer-songwriter, followed by live performances across Europe.
Moved to New York City, continuing as a singer, songwriter and performer.
Performed at cultural venues in New York, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wrote original songs and lyrics throughout her New York years, and worked with a New York radio show.
Returned to Germany and continued recording and releasing music, including work with Kontor Records.
BIATCH — music project with a Top 10 placement in the dance charts.
Wrote and recorded a further original album of her own songs; the material remains unreleased but registered.
Sony Music Publishing, Berlin — songwriting and publishing relationship, with original material circulated for artists and major German television formats.
Continues independently as a songwriter and composer, carrying rhythm, voice and emotional pacing into her screenwriting.

Cultural & Live Operations · Education

Experience in cultural exhibition management, live performance operations, and creative project coordination.

B.A., Economics — Wittelsbacher School, Germany, 1998–2003