DR. STEVEN KASSELS
Producer / Collaborative Screenwriter / Author / Physician
Steven Kassels is a physician and author. His novel, Addiction on Trial: Tragedy in Downeast Maine, based on his decades of clinical and medical-legal experiences, serves to educate, destigmatize and demystify the disease of addiction. His novel informs the screenplay, From Away.
Having been board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Kassels has served in clinical roles in emergency rooms and addiction treatment programs throughout New England. His career has also included public policy work, legislative testimony, public education and service as an expert witness in drug-related criminal trials.
Drawing on that experience, Kassels wrote Addiction on Trial: Tragedy in Downeast Maine as a medical murder mystery – legal drama that could explore the realities of addiction through fiction rather than a traditional clinical text. The novel became the source material forFrom Away, adapted for the screen by Joe Raffa in collaboration with Dr. Kassels.
Dr. Kassels donates all proceeds from book sales and speaking engagements to treatment centers, homeless shelters, and organizations that support education about addiction.
Contact: Steven.Kassels@gmail.com
Dr. Steven Kassels on Addiction, Stigma & the Opioid Crisis
In this excerpt from a talk on Maine’s opioid crisis, Dr. Steven Kassels discusses the realities of substance use disorder, the stigma surrounding addiction, and the importance of understanding addiction as a medical issue rather than a moral failing.
JOE RAFFA
Screenwriter / Director
For over a decade, Joe Raffa has been cutting his teeth as a writer/director in the entertainment industry, often working on stories that explore the dark corners of the human psyche. At 20 years old, Raffa wrote and directed his first feature film (You’ll Know My Name).
After winning several awards on the film festival circuit, his latest feature film (Downeast) was distributed by Gravitas Ventures and aired on Showtime. Known for his focus on character-driven storytelling and infectious energy, Raffa has remained in demand, working alongside producers and production companies of all varieties. He currently has several projects in various stages of development.
Drawing on a shared understanding of Downeast Maine—its challenges, its close-knit communities, and the rugged beauty of its coast—Joe and Steve formed a natural partnership to bring the story to the screen.
Raffa is based in Los Angeles and is represented by Zero Gravity Management.
Contact: JoeRaf1313@gmail.com
FEATURE FILM BY JOE RAFFA
DOWNEAST
"An exciting, chilling, wicked good mob drama with powerhouse performances that captures the essence, life force and breath of Maine."
— FILM THREAT
Contact
For screenplay, production, rights, press, or other industry inquiries,
please get in touch.
Email
Steven.Kassels@gmail.com