K.E. Lanning (Karen) is a screenwriter and author born in Houston, Texas.
As a screenwriter, Lanning writes in both the drama and sci-fi political drama genres, creating award-winning screenplays.
As a novelist, Lanning writes both literary fiction and sci-fi (socio-political). As a part of her author platform, she’s published a series of book reviews and author interviews on THE MILLIONS and FUTURISM, including authors Claire Vaye Watkins, Hugh Howey, Margaret Atwood, Emily St. John Mandel, Andy Weir, and Cixin Liu.
Lanning is a member of the Virginia Screenwriters Forum, Women in Film & Video, and James River Writers.
K.E. LANNING Screenplay awards for 2023, 2024 and 2025 (to date, 3/6/2025)
Where the Sky Meets the Earth – Pilot, Drama series
Logline: At the depths of the Great Recession, a family, shattered by addiction and financial
collapse, encounters a 21st century saint… under an FBI probe as a dangerous cult leader.
Awards:
– 28th Annual Fade In Awards for TV Pilot/Web Series Competition – Semi-finalist, 2024
– Richmond International Film Festival – Semi-finalist, 2024
– Finish Line Script Competition – Honorable Mention, 2024
– Vail Film Festival – Semi-finalist, 2024
– LA Film & Documentary Awards – WINNER (Pilot), 2024
– Berlin International Screenwriting Festival – Official Selection, 2025
In the Wilderness – Short (adapted scene out of Where the Sky Meets the Earth)
Logline: A family broken by addiction and financial collapse searches for a cherished son lost in a
wilderness of nature…or a wilderness of men.
Awards:
– Vail Film Festival – Semi-finalist, 2024
– Richmond International Film Festival – Top Finalist, 2024
– The Caretaker – Short, Sci-fi Dark Comedy
Logline: In a future when every need, every wish is tended by a devoted android—if you can
afford it—a sociopathic humanoid caretaker does 'whatever it takes' for the health and
happiness of his client.
Awards:
– PAGE International Screenwriting Awards – Quarterfinalist, 2024
– LA Film & Documentary Awards – Winner (Short), 2024
A Spider Sat Beside Her – Pilot, Sci-fi Drama
Logline: After a catastrophic melt of the icecaps, global flooding triggers a new world order, and
a terrorist attack on the space station snares a young scientist into a deadly web of political
corruption.
Awards:
– New York Screenwriting Awards – Best TV Pilot DRAMA, 2023
– Austin Film Festival – Second Rounder in the Drama Teleplay Pilot category, 2023
– Williamsburg International Film Festival – Top Finalist, 2023
– Scriptation Showcase – Quarterfinalist, 2023
– Reel Harmony Film and Script Festival – Quarterfinalist, 2023
– Atlanta International Screenplay Awards – Quarterfinalist, 2023
– Finish Line Script Competition – Honorable Mention, 2024
– Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition – Quarterfinalist, 2025
– 29th Annual Fade In Awards TV Pilot/Web Series Competition – Semi-finalist, 2025
– Dallas International Film Festival – Quarterfinalist, 2025
The Sting of the Bee – Pilot, Sci-fi Drama
Logline: In 2108, a father and daughter race to stake a claim on the now ice-free continent of
Antarctica. But the UN Land Rush turns into a battle against ruthless, armed competitors… and a
corrupt politician determined to control this new land.
The Light of the Sun – Feature, Drama
Logline: A man warped by the hatreds of his past is saved by the very people he's been taught to
despise—until a brutal tragedy of his own making leads him into the light of forgiveness and
peace.