Kelly Nicholson is an AWGIE-nominated, award-winning writer, director and producer for film and theatre. She is drawn to the strange, the unsettling and the darkly funny. Her character-driven work blends psychological realism with heightened genre, using horror, science fiction, the supernatural, and surrealism to externalise the internal struggles of her characters.

Interested in themes of isolation, disconnection and identity, Kelly creates heightened worlds that remain emotionally grounded, finding humour and humanity in even the darkest places.

Her horror sci-fi short film Connected (2023) was nominated for an AWGIE, shortlisted for the Australian Writers’ Guild John Hinde Award, selected for St Kilda Film Festival and won Best Short Film Director at the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival.

Most recently, her dark comedy thriller It Gets Dark at Night (2024) premiered at the Inner West Film Festival.

In 2024, her stage play, Death of a People Pleaser, premiered at the Sydney Fringe Festival to sold-out audiences and rave reviews. It’s currently in development as a web series.

Her dark comedies Bloody Words (2022) and Girl Talk (2019) were praised for their unique concepts and humorous dialogue.

Bloody Words won Best Comedy and Best Short Film at the London and Hollywood Movie Awards, while Girl Talkwas a finalist in the Short and Sweet Film Festival.

In 2023, she began producing work under the name Atomic Darlings, a film and theatre company focused on creating opportunities for female creatives and telling stories featuring strong female characters.

Kelly has worked with EndemolShine Australia and Curio Pictures to bring their shows to life from the script department, including NCIS: Sydney and Playing Gracie Darling.

NCIS: Sydney season 4 will be Kelly’s first television writing credit, premiering in 2027.