Victor Orel

Victor Orel – Screenwriter | Filmmaker | Storyteller
Born in 1954 in Odessa, USSR (now Ukraine), I developed a passion for sports early on, excelling
in horse riding, shooting, swimming, and boxing before specializing in Thai boxing and karate. In
1971, I enrolled at Mechnikov Odessa State University, where I pursued English, French, and
Philology, earning my degree in Linguistics in 1976.
Over the course of a 32-year career as a journalist, I honed my storytelling and analytical skills, later
expanding into broadcasting. From 2010 to 2014, I served as the author, director, and host of
political-analytical programs such as Vzglyad on ATV and Amal’gama on Reporter in Odessa,
Ukraine.
In 2014, I transitioned into screenwriting, embarking on a new chapter in the United States. After
completing an external screenwriting course at the University of East Anglia, UK, in 2015, I wrote
my first screenplay, The Duplicate, a spy action-thriller with a sci-fi twist. The script gained critical
acclaim, becoming a Top Five selection at the London Lift-Off Film Festival and winning multiple
awards, including at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Since then, I have continued developing high-concept, action-driven narratives. In 2018, I completed
Phaethon, an action-adventure screenplay with sci-fi elements, which won awards at international
festivals. My latest feature, Lost, has been recognized with top honors, including wins at CineFest
LA (2024) and the Utah International Film Festival (2025). I am currently working on bringing Lost
into production while developing Diamond Gambit, a historical action-drama TV series.
Screenwriting & Film Achievements
• 2025 – Lost – Winner, Utah International Film Festival
• 2024 – Lost – Winner, CineFest LA
• 2021 – The Duplicate – Winner, Santa Barbara International Film Festival
• 2025 – The Duplicate – Winner at Swedish Academy of Motion Pictures
• 2018 – Present – Writing and developing the historical TV series Diamond Gambit
• 2020 – The Duplicate – Nominee, Calcutta International Film Festival