When she's diagnosed with terminal cancer, an introverted painter sets out to explore all the areas of her life that she's ignored in her pursuit of artistic expression before it's too late.
Type:
Feature
Status:
For sale
Page Count:
84pp
Genre:
Comedy, Drama
Budget:
Independent
Age Rating:
17+
Synopsis/Details
"Self Portrait" is "The Fault in Our Stars" meets "Lady Bird": a poignant drama about a terminally ill artist facing mortality with humor, purpose, and a bucket list that redefines what it means to truly live. After surviving cancer as a teenager, Chloe Finley dreams of becoming a celebrated artist, only to have her life turned upside down again by a terminal diagnosis in her mid-20s. Refusing further treatment, Chloe is determined to live fully, embracing her passions while confronting her fears. As she begins creating her long-delayed self-portrait, Chloe tackles a deeply personal bucket list: revisiting old relationships, forging unexpected new ones, and rediscovering the joy and pain of being alive. Haunted by the loss of her parents and supported by Dylan, her childhood friend and confidant, Chloe struggles to balance her fear of unfinished business with the beauty of small, meaningful moments. Together, they navigate humor, heartbreak, and a growing awareness of what it means to leave a legacy. Through intimate, character-driven storytelling, Self Portrait explores the pursuit of art, love, and purpose against the backdrop of impending mortality. This poignant drama blends dark humor and emotional candor, asking the audience: What would you create if you had only a few months left to live?
Attached Talent

Scott Sawitz, writer/director

All Accolades & Coverage

"Featuring resonant themes of grief and the value of living life like every day could be your last, SELF
PORTRAIT taps into an emotional premise with both meaningful pathos and moments of levity.
Choosing to take a more lighthearted approach to a film about dying lends the narrative a unique
angle, and moments such as Chloe’s conquering of the wing challenge contrast well with more
devastating sequences. Chloe’s likability as a protagonist helps to up the stakes, as audiences will
surely become invested in her end-of-life journey. As a deuteragonist, Dylan is equally likable, and his
role as Chloe’s longtime best friend is rendered believable through their interplay. Tapping into
similar emotions present in films such as FIVE FEET APART and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, this
script serves as a heartwarming addition to the pantheon of end-of-life films. In tackling the topic of
death and the power of love and finding one’s self, the writer successfully puts forth a powerful
message without resorting to preaching or other tactics." -- Blacklist evaluation

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Submitted: 2022-Nov-14
Last Updated: 2025-May-09
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The Writer: Scott Sawitz

I like to write character studies of complex, flawed people within a genre framework. My scripts are like my comedy; dark and thrilling with a dash of pop culture references mixed in with a heaping helping of fun. My feature film "Save State" is currently available to watch on Tubi, Amazon, FuboTV, iTunes, Fawesome TV and wherever proper indie films stream. I'm a four-time optioned screenwriter (features), a former freelance sports writer and all around funny guy... and my dog is cuter than yours. Go to bio
Scott Sawitz's picture