Screenwriting & Story Development

Zane Zusta is a Latvian writer, screenwriter and dramaturg whose work moves between literature, theatre, television and film. Her experience as a novelist and children’s author gives her a strong foundation in character development, dialogue and emotionally engaging storytelling, while her work in screenwriting has allowed her to explore how stories transform when they move from the page to the screen.

Zane is particularly interested in character-driven stories, human relationships and the small, recognisable details of everyday life. Her writing often combines warmth and humour with more complex emotional themes, creating stories that are accessible while still leaving room for reflection.

One of Zane’s most significant screenwriting projects is the television series “Tarakāni tavā galvā”, based on the themes and characters from her books Tarakāni manā galvā and Tarakāni tavā galvā. Zane wrote the screenplay for the series, creating a new connecting storyline around a psychotherapist whose clients bring their own fears, habits and emotional “cockroaches” into his practice. The series was directed by Andrejs Ēķis and produced by Cinevilla Films.

Zane is also the creator and screenwriter of the family comedy series “Bruno”, produced by Cinevilla Films. The series explores family relationships and the challenges of growing up through the eyes of a teenager. Zane has described her approach to storytelling as one rooted in observation — in conversations, relationships, looks, silences and the small moments that make up everyday life.

Her screenwriting work also includes the development of “Ucipuci” for screen, bringing her internationally published children’s character into a new visual storytelling format. The project has been selected for the CEE Animation Workshop, where it was presented as a series project with Zane Zusta credited as screenwriter.

Zane’s storytelling extends naturally into theatre. She has worked as a dramaturg and adaptor, transforming literary works into stage productions and finding ways to translate narrative prose into dialogue, action and theatrical structure.

For the Latvian Puppet Theatre production “Vafeļu sirdis. Misija – tētis”, Zane adapted Maria Parr’s novel Waffle Hearts for the stage and also wrote the lyrics for the production.

Her literary works have also been adapted for radio. The Latvian Radio Theatre has produced dramatizations based on her books “Tarakāni manā galvā” and “Nepieradināts putns”, demonstrating how her stories can move between literary, audio and dramatic forms.

For Zane, screenwriting is a natural continuation of her work as a storyteller. After years of writing novels, children’s literature and poetry, she is increasingly interested in the craft of developing stories specifically for film and television — from the first idea and character concept to structure, dialogue and the emotional journey of the audience.

Her experience across different storytelling forms gives her a particular perspective on development: she understands both the intimacy of a writer’s original idea and the collaborative process required to turn that idea into a script, a production and ultimately a story on screen.

Explore Zane’s work and watch the trailers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKZFLhJUfpk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reQ-ssZPx5Y

http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4CcFiq81oc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q30vLVLC2Q8

http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkm06gXQ-WI&list=PL-hnUl7J1rx3k8mmKX-7nI2sG2QC8M6fQ