The Devil's Dandruff

Based on the true-life story of a gangster's runner, a wayward London youth, seduced by the lure of fast money and unlimited cocaine, struggles to survive within London’s criminal underworld where his only escape hinges on whether he can kill another to save himself.

  • JoAnn Hess
    Writer
    The Devil's Dandruff, Framer
  • Project Type:
    Screenplay
  • Genres:
    Crime, Drama
  • Number of Pages:
    117
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • London Film Awards
    London, UK
    December 15, 2017
    3rd Place
  • Action on Film Festival
    Las Vegas, NV
    August 24, 2018
    Best Script
  • International Indie Gathering
    Cleveland, OH
    August 12, 2018
    1st Place, Crime-Drama
Writer Biography - JoAnn Hess

JoAnn Hess is a multi-award-winning screenwriter for film and television, with a proven track record across the US, UK, and Australia. Her dynamic storytelling and emotionally resonant scripts have been optioned and commissioned by producers worldwide, attracting interest from major companies such as Netflix, Muse Entertainment, Estuary Films, and SKY. She currently has several projects in development through MARVISTA Entertainment and Worldwide Entertainment & Media.

As Creative Executive for London Angel Films (UK), JoAnn plays a key role in shaping the company’s slate. She collaborates closely with the CEO and production team, providing script coverage, notes, and rewrites to prepare projects for market and production.

JoAnn’s portfolio includes over 20 credited feature films and television scripts. Her most recent feature, COOKSTER: The Darkest Days, premiered in UK theatres on March 6, 2025, earning five film awards and critical acclaim. Its sequel, COOKSTER: No Way Out, will be directed by Peter Field (Skyfall, Edge of Tomorrow). Another feature, RISE OF HEROES: The Legend of the Guardian, has secured financing with production set for summer 2025.

With over 60 international screenwriting awards, JoAnn’s work has placed in prestigious competitions including the PAGE Awards, Austin Film Festival, Final Draft’s Big Break, the London Film Awards, and New Hope Film Festival. She was also one of only eight global projects selected for the Torino ScriptLab and was inducted into The International Indie Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 2019.

As an Army brat and Navy wife, JoAnn has lived and traveled around the world, bringing a rich global perspective to her storytelling—infusing her work with adventure, emotional depth, and a profound understanding of the human connections that transcend borders.

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Writer Statement

At the heart of my storytelling is a deep commitment to the socially disenfranchised—the outsiders, the unheard, the forgotten. I’m drawn to characters who struggle to find their place in unfamiliar or unforgiving worlds, whether it’s a teen navigating the shadows of addiction, a young woman uncovering generational conspiracies, or a reluctant hero confronting powers far greater than themselves.

My stories explore themes of identity, resilience, and redemption, often set against gritty realities or heightened stakes. I believe in giving voice to those on the margins, crafting narratives that challenge, provoke, and connect. I don’t just write to entertain—I write to shine a light, spark empathy, and reveal the strength in those the world too often overlooks.