Private Project

Wingtips and Scripts


Wingtips and Scripts, directed by James Scott (2025), is a short narrative inspired by a chapter from Donna Saltz’s book Wingtips and Scripts (2024), celebrating the pursuit of dreams at any age. What begins as a film about making a film evolves into a personal journey of stepping into the spotlight and embracing lifelong passions.
A reflective moment shows Donna reminiscing about her years as a flight attendant, including her days with the Concorde, while a poster from Nando Parrado—included with his blessing—marks a memorable acting experience.
Jeff Senour, a pilot and musician, opens the story with a chorus from his song Reach for the Sky. In Donna’s final reflective moment, she echoes the lesson of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a fictional character from a 1970s novella about a seagull learning to soar and follow its own path, who has accompanied her on many of her journeys in life: it’s not about the destination, but the journey. Jeff closes the film during the credits with his charted song One Life, a soulful reminder that dreams are timeless and that it’s never too late to pursue them.
Wingtips and Scripts celebrates creativity, resilience, and the courage to pursue dreams at any age.

  • James Scott
    Director
    The Transaction, Love Over Greed, Akashic Spheres, Eye of Aruna, Knock Knock, Kelvin
  • James Scott
    Writer
    Imdb
  • Donna Saltz
    Producer
  • Donna Saltz
    Key Cast
    "Self - Donna"
    Akashic Spheres, ADilla Champagne, Love Over Greed, I Am Alive
  • Jeff Senour
    Key Cast
    "Jeff "
    Space Cowboys, True Lies, Hot Shots, Silence Of The Lambs, Executive Decision
  • Karen Lovett
    Key Cast
    "Production Assistant/Extra"
  • James Scott
    Key Cast
    "Cameo and Director"
    Transaction
  • Project Type:
    Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Narrative, Biopic
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 19, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • American Motion Pictures
    Atlanta
    United States
    Quarter- Finalist award - Narrative Short( July 2025)
  • Columbus Film, Author, and Photography Festival
    Columbus
    United States
    Selected - Narrative Short (August 2025)
  • World Premiere Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Winner - Best Narration (July 2025)
  • Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Winner - Best Artist Film (August 2025)
  • East Village New York Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    Finalist and Honorable Mention- Original Song (August 2025)
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    Honorable Mention - Costume & Design & Make-Up (August 2025)
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    Finalist - Best Acting (August 2025)
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions Volume 7
    England
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection - Shorts New Voices (July 2025)
  • Sweden Film Awards
    Norrbottens Ian
    Sweden
    Semi-Finalist - Short (July 2025)
  • Anatolia International Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Official Selection - Best Drama Short Film (August 2025)
  • Creation International Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Winner - Best Narrated (August 2025)
  • Hollywood Gold Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Winner- Inspirational
  • Florence Film Festival
    Florence
    Italy
    Winner - Producer
  • World Class Film Awards
    TBA
    Nominee - Best Narrative Short
  • Los Angeles Stars Film Festival
    Glendale
    United States
    Winner - Best Original Story (2026)
  • Top Indie Film Awards
    Tokyo
    Japan
    Winner- Best Message (Summer Session) and Original Idea - Nominee
  • New York Istanbul Short Film Festival
    New York (& Istanbul)
    United States
    Official Selection in 3 categories: Best Drama Short, Best Director and Best Low Budget
  • Inspire Cinema Fest
    Vancover, British Columbia
    Canada
    Winner- Best Costume Design and Finaliist - Best Narrative Short
  • 100% Independent Film Festival
    Denver
    United States
    Official Selection - Best Musical Track
  • Hollywood Verge Film Awards
    Burbank
    United States
    Honorable Mention - Short Narrative Domestic
  • Culver City Film Festival
    Culver City
    United States
    Official selection for Screening
  • 2025 Eire International Film Festival
    Eire
    United States
    Official Selection- Religious Spirtual Short
  • Himachal Short Film Festival
    Pune (TBD)
    India
    Official Selection - Best Female Producer
  • Golden State Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    March 5, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Cinema World Fest Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Award of Merit, Narrative, Short
  • Indie Vegas Film Frxtival
    Las Vegas
    April 30, 2026
    Officially selected
Director Biography - James Scott

Embarking on a creative journey at the tender age of 14, I delved into the world of Sign Painting, honing my skills with dedication and passion. By the age of 18, I had expanded my artistic repertoire, mastering screen printing and airbrushing. A five-year venture into the realm of running a successful t-shirt business followed, setting the stage for my diverse artistic career.
Venturing into the vibrant landscape of automotive airbrushing in South Florida during the 90s, I immersed myself in a craft that blended skill and innovation. The dawn of the new millennium marked a pivotal moment as I embraced technology, acquiring my first computer and venturing into the realms of computer graphics, programming, and database design. Despite this digital evolution, my commitment to visual arts remained steadfast, creating compelling graphics using Adobe products and various 3D modeling programs.
The year 2010 witnessed a rekindled passion for graphics, leading me to immerse myself in intensive 3D modeling and animation. Fast forward to 2017, where I took a leap into the world of cinematography, acquiring professional film equipment and capturing the essence of storytelling through the lens.
In 2018, the culmination of my creative endeavors took shape with the co-founding of Castillo Film Group. This collaborative effort paved the way for the production of our inaugural short film, marking a significant milestone in my journey as a versatile and innovative artist. With each chapter of my artistic evolution, I continue to explore new horizons, driven by an insatiable passion for creativity and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Wingtips and Scripts was a passion project born from a simple yet meaningful idea — that no matter where we are in life, our dreams remain a vital part of our journey. Telling that story with warmth and humor in just one day, on a shoestring budget, was both a challenge and a joy.

Working with Donna Saltz was nothing short of inspiring. Her energy, professionalism, and heart brought the story to life in a way I couldn’t have imagined. She embodied the spirit of the film — resilient, expressive, and delightfully human. I’m truly grateful for the trust and creativity she brought to the project.

Jeff Senour’s participation elevated the entire experience. His generosity in contributing his music and allowing us to incorporate footage from his live performance gave the film a unique depth and authenticity. His presence added a soulful layer that resonated beautifully with the film’s message.

Despite the constraints, Wingtips and Scripts came together as a lighthearted yet poignant reminder that chasing our dreams isn’t just for the young — it’s a lifelong pursuit that shapes who we are and how we see the world. I hope this short film inspires viewers to keep writing their own scripts and never hang up their wings.

— James Scott, Director