fountain-parser

A fast, lightweight, zero-dependency, typed AST parser for the Fountain screenplay format in Python.

Built with Python standard library @dataclass models and strict adherence to the Fountain 1.1 specification.

Features

• Zero Third-Party Dependencies: Pure Python standard library (dataclasses, enum, typing, re).
• Fully Typed: Complete type hinting for all AST nodes.
• Spec-Compliant: Supports Title Pages, Scene Headings (forced & unforced), Characters, Extensions (V.O., O.S.), Dual Dialogue (^), Parentheticals, Dialogue, Transitions, Actions, Sections, Synopses, Page Breaks, and Boneyards.
• Scene-Level Grouping: Convenience .scenes and .dialogue_blocks properties for instant pipeline consumption.

Installation

pip install fountain-parser

(Or for local development: pip install -e .)

Quick Start

from fountain_parser import parse

script = """
Title: The Diner
Author: Forest Taylor

INT. DINER - NIGHT #1#

Jacob sits across from Violet.

JACOB
(whispering)
Vi, I'm sorry.

VIOLET
(coldly)
You should be.
"""

screenplay = parse(script)

# Title page metadata
print(screenplay.title_page["Title"])  # ['The Diner']

# Access grouped scenes
for scene in screenplay.scenes:
    print(scene.heading.text)  # "INT. DINER - NIGHT"
    print(scene.heading.scene_number)  # "1"

    # Iterate over dialogue blocks
    for block in scene.dialogue_blocks:
        print(f"{block.character.name}: {block.spoken_text}")
        # JACOB: Vi, I'm sorry.
        # VIOLET: You should be.