CAPE Announces Recipients of the 2026 New Writers Fellowship

According to CinemaDrame News Agency, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has announced the emerging screenwriters selected for its 2026 New Writers Fellowship class. Now entering its 14th year, the professional development program is designed to prepare talented writers for success in Hollywood’s competitive entertainment landscape.

The 2026 class includes the following fellows, who will work under the guidance of prominent mentors:

• Hailey Chang (mentored by Vicky Luu, executive producer of St. Denis Medical)
• Kalous Chou (mentored by Gursimran Sandhu, producer of We Were Liars)
• Monisha Dadlani (mentored by Monica Owusu-Breen, executive producer and co-showrunner of Alien: Earth)
• Val Tan (mentored by David Henry Hwang, writer of Disney’s live-action The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tony Award-winning playwright)

Leo Chu and Steve Tao, co-founders and co-presidents of CAPE, said: “We were amazed by the quality of the applicants and their passion for becoming professional writers. As the industry continues to evaluate the challenges facing traditional media, we remain committed to creating opportunities for this new generation of voices to be heard.”

The fellowship boasts one of the highest success rates in the entertainment industry, with alumni going on to work on more than 70 television series across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. This year’s curriculum includes both in-person and virtual panels, as well as masterclasses exploring a range of career pathways, from animation to vertical storytelling platforms.

Referring to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) inclusion report, Ryan Moore, CAPE’s Director of Programs, stated: “Although the percentage of working Asian American writers in television has increased by 2 percent, the overall contraction of the industry means fewer writers are being hired overall. Our 2026 program is focused on career sustainability and expanding the range of entry points into the entertainment business.”

The fellowship is supported by Netflix, Sony Pictures, The Walt Disney Company, TAAF, and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. The fellowship is just one of CAPE’s talent development initiatives, which also include animation directing accelerators, executive incubators, and a short film challenge.