How Writer Dmytro Bielov Entered Hollywood from a War-Torn Country - MovieMaker Magazine

      Today, few stories emerging from Ukraine are centered on film. One of these belongs to Dmytro Bielov, a writer whose challenging journey in screenwriting unexpectedly led him to establish a book publishing house in wartime Kyiv.

      In August 2022, amidst the early months of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Bielov wrote a detective script in merely two weeks. Upon completing it, he swiftly translated it into English and submitted it to prominent Hollywood agencies such as UTA, WME, and CAA.

      Only CAA responded, sending a brief message indicating that the agency does not accept unsolicited submissions. “It wasn’t rude; just a standard reply,” Bielov states. “But it became evident that this route wasn’t progressing.”

      Without representation, he shifted his focus to screenwriting competitions. Over the subsequent years, Bielov entered nearly every major contest he could afford, including PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, Austin Film Festival, Final Draft Big Break, Script Pipeline, Screencraft, Scriptapalooza, and several others.

      Some of his scripts made it to long lists, but none advanced any further. By this stage, Bielov had written close to thirty screenplays, with all his earnings directed toward entry fees, evaluations, and submissions. “For a long time, there was no advancement,” he notes. “No agents, no meetings, and no feedback beyond contest comments.”

      Dmytro Bielov presenting at an event

      The Black List: Tough Scores and a Clear Standard

      His final attempt was with The Black List, one of the industry's most recognized yet challenging platforms. He uploaded about ten scripts and paid for evaluations for each.

      The outcomes were disheartening.

      One script — a biopic about Elon Musk — received remarkably low scores: nearly all twos in various categories and just one three for dialogue. Nonetheless, Bielov continued to upload more scripts, purchasing further evaluations. Only one screenplay garnered favorable results: 6 for dialogue, 7 for characters, and 9 for setting. However, The Black List has a well-known benchmark: a score of 8 or higher usually prompts interest from managers, agents, and producers. Despite several attempts, Bielov never achieved that score. “I came close, but 'close' doesn’t count there,” he remarks. “If you’re below eight, no one contacts you.”

      Ultimately, he halted all submissions. Nearly two years went by.

      An Unexpected Email from Canada — and a Studio Affiliated with Netflix

      After this lengthy break, Bielov unexpectedly received an email from a Canadian talent agency that collaborates with a Netflix-affiliated studio. They had reviewed one of his earlier scripts and requested more materials.

      Within weeks, the studio acquired the screenplay for the minimum pilot rate. Although he wasn't considered for showrunning due to language barriers and a lack of industry experience, the sale was authentic and contractually binding.

      “In the U.S., that amount wouldn’t make much difference,” he reflects. “In Ukraine, particularly during wartime, it opens up opportunities.”

      Using a Hollywood Paycheck to Launch a Publishing House

      Rather than pursuing additional screenwriting deals, Bielov invested the earnings into creating a small publishing house in Kyiv — Adaptationbooks. This imprint concentrates on Ukrainian literature influenced by the experience of war: fiction, nonfiction, personal narratives, and works by civilians and soldiers.

      Books from AdaptationBooks showcased at Knyharnia Sens on Khreshchatyk, Kyiv

      “We publish authors experiencing situations that most people cannot fathom,” he explains. “Some write from occupied territories, others from the army, and some from devastated towns. These narratives are important — and they need a dedicated platform.”

      Adaptationbooks quickly established a unique identity, publishing literary works that confront themes of displacement, survival, trauma, resilience, and daily life amidst invasion. Bielov manages acquisitions, editing, and development, applying skills he honed over years of working with story structure in screenwriting.

      A Non-Linear Career Trajectory

      Bielov’s journey highlights a reality familiar to many budding screenwriters: breaking into Hollywood seldom follows a straightforward path. Years of effort might yield no feedback, and success often arises from indirect avenues rather than a linear trajectory.

      “I spent years trying to reach that ‘8’ on The Black List,” he shares. “It never occurred. Instead, a different opportunity presented itself—one I hadn’t anticipated.”

      Selling a screenplay to a Netflix-affiliated studio didn’t relocate Bielov to Los Angeles or launch a Hollywood career. However, it provided the financial capacity to foster something within Ukraine — a publishing house that amplifies the voices of those living through the war.

      As he puts it: “The sale didn't dramatically alter my life. But it enabled me to effect change here. And that feels more substantial.”