The CAPE New Writers Fellowship (CNWF) discovers and nurtures exceptional new writers launching their careers in television and other entertainment mediums.

Having one of the highest track records of success in the industry, the CAPE New Writers Fellowship boasts graduates who have been staffed on over 80 shows across all major network, cable, and streaming platforms in addition to those who have signed overall deals.

Founded and co-chaired by Emmy Award-winning Writer, Creator and Showrunner Leo Chu  (Disney’s Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion) and veteran film and TV executive and producer Steve Tao (Previously at The CW, ABC, & Bad Robot), the CAPE New Writers Fellowship is one of few writing programs in Hollywood created by a creative and an executive. This immersive program equips each writer with the practical and business knowledge they need to succeed as a professional in the entertainment industry.

As thought leaders at the forefront of the evolving entertainment landscape, CAPE has expanded this program to address the current challenges in the industry and include a wider variety of pathways to becoming a professional writer in Hollywood.

The Fellowship features masterclasses, workshops, and panels that explore a diverse array of writing opportunities in television, features, animation, video games, narrative audio, short form digital content, verticals, and more. The Fellowship also features a Writing Lab where each Fellow is matched with a high-level industry mentor to help them revise their original script into professional level writing samples. 

The Fellowship typically runs each year in the spring. Sessions take place on weekday evenings Pacific time for approximately 3 hours, twice a week.

Haley Chung | Mentored by Vicky Luu (Executive Producer, St. Denis Medical) | Haley Chung is a bicoastal writer originally from Vancouver, Canada. As a former Fred Rogers Productions writing fellow, Chung has written for shows on PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, and TVOKids. She is also a 2026 Project Involve fellow with Film Independent and LAIKA Studios. Growing up as a third-generation Chinese Canadian, she is most drawn to writing dysfunctional comedies with heart. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University.

Kalos Chu | Mentored by Gursimran Sandhu (Co-Executive Producer, We Were Liars) | Kalos is a screenwriter and playwright based in Los Angeles. His original pilot, Imposter, won first place at the 2026 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition. He is currently writing “The Crossroads”  for The Musical Stage Company with Michael Rubinoff (“Come From Away") attached to produce. He attended Harvard University, where he wrote “Ship Happens” for The Hasty Pudding, the oldest theatrical organization in the U.S. Kalos currently works in development at DreamWorks Animation.

Monisha Dadlani | Mentored by Monica Macer (Executive Producer & Co-Showrunner, Alien: Earth) | Monisha Dadlani is a NYC-born, Los Angeles-based storyteller drawn to magical realism, young adult, and all things romance. She’s written for Netflix, Amazon MGM, Apple TV+, MRC, Tubi, and Sony. A USC alum, Imagine Impact alum, and member of Dan Lin’s Rideback Rise circle, her scripts have been featured on the annual Black List and the Desi List. Currently, she’s developing her directorial feature debut, The Fiddler, with support from Antigravity Academy and IFFLA.

Val Tan | Mentored by David Henry Hwang (Writer, Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame live-action; Tony Award-winning Playwright) | Val Tan is a Singaporean writer/director, creating stories that balance heart, humor, and spectacle. She developed her voice through fellowships including the DIVERSO Minority Report Fellowship and the Unlock Her Potential Mentorship. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts Film Program, Val also works as a commercial director, bringing a visually dynamic and performance-driven approach to her narrative work.

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