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.
Submissions are open now until Monday, December 15 at 11:59 PM PT!
The 2026 CAPE New Writers Fellowship will be a hybrid program with in-person and virtual sessions. Sessions will be held in April-May 2026 on Monday and Wednesday weekday evenings (Pacific Time). You must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Los Angeles. Transportation and lodging costs will not be covered. You must be able to attend every virtual session via Zoom.
Please prepare or complete the following application components prior to beginning the application form (full preview here):
General Release Form (PDF Format Only)
Non-Refundable $65 Application Fee via PayPal
Please save receipt as PDF or screenshot for proof of payment. PDFs of email receipts or confirmations are also accepted.
Resume (PDF Format Only, under 10 MB)
Complete, original episodic pilot script with all identifying markers stripped (PDF Format only, under 100 MB). You may watermark pages with “CAPE”/”CNWF” but not with any identifying markers.
We do not accept revised or replacement scripts after submission - no exceptions.
Half-hour or one-hour episodic pilots ONLY. Feature scripts will not be considered.
PLEASE NOTE: To access the Google Form application, you must log in with a Google/gmail account.
If you are unable to access the form before the December 15 Deadline, please 1) clear your web cache and cookies or 2) try a different web browser before contacting us.
If the problem persists, please contact CAPE at programs@capeusa.org.
Eligibility Requirements:
The 2026 CAPE New Writers Fellowship will be a hybrid program with in-person and virtual sessions. Sessions will be held in April-May 2026 on Monday and Wednesday weekday evenings (Pacific Time).
Applicant must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Los Angeles. Transportation and lodging costs will not be covered.
Applicant must be able to attend every virtual session via Zoom.
Applicants must not be currently staffed on an episodic program. Applicants who were previously staffed at the staff writer level, but are not currently staffed as a writer, may apply.
Applicants cannot have previously participated in the CAPE New Writers Fellowship.
Applicants must have the ability to accept paid work in the United States. CAPE does not sponsor or assist with visas.
Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Writing teams of up to 2 writers may submit. Writers must be committed to pursuing a career as a writing team. Both members of any writing team must meet all requirements.
The applicant and script should be consistent with CAPE’s mission to champion diversity by educating, empowering, and connecting Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment.
Script Requirements:
The 2026 CAPE New Writers Fellowship will be accepting half-hour or one-hour episodic pilots only. All genres accepted. Animation accepted.
Script must be original and applicant(s) must own all rights to the script free and clear.
Script must not be under an option and applicant(s) must have sole authority over changes to the script.
Submissions without proof of payment will not be considered.
CAPE does not provide coverage or feedback for scripts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is the CAPE New Writers Fellowship for?
The CAPE New Writers Fellowship is for exceptional new writers who are looking to launch their careers in television and other entertainment mediums. The Fellowship arms writers with the practical and business knowledge they need to succeed as a professional writer in the entertainment industry. Career pathways explored through the fellowship include opportunities in television, features, animation, video games, narrative audio, short form digital content, and more.
Previously staffed writers at the staff writer level who are currently unstaffed - in addition to writers who have never been staffed in a writers’ room - may apply.
Note that you must already be a strong writer to be considered a competitive applicant for the program. The CAPE New Writers Fellowship is a professional and career development program that focuses on the business aspect of the writing profession. Potential applicants are encouraged to wait until their scripts are strong enough technically before applying.
What is a professional writer as defined by the CAPE New Writers Fellowship?
A professional writer:
Can write on a deadline
Can write to someone else's vision
Can work collaboratively
Can take notes / critiques on their work
What is the time commitment for the CAPE New Writers Fellowship?
The CAPE New Writers Fellowship will take place from April to May 2026. Fellows are required to commit to:
Saturday in-person Fellowship Orientation in Los Angeles
Monday & Wednesday evening sessions (in person or via Zoom): 6:30 - 10 PM PT
You must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Los Angeles.
Session prep and homework
Script rewrites and mentor meetings on own time
What will I need for the CAPE New Writers Fellowship Application?
Original and complete episodic pilot script (half-hour or hour long)
Any identifiable information (name, contact information, etc.) must be stripped from the script to ensure fairness and anonymity in the judging process.
Live action or animation accepted. All genres accepted.
Scripts must be in industry format.
Spec scripts will not be accepted.
Decks or outlines submitted alongside your script will not be considered.
Script logline
Personal statement responses to the following questions:
How do you or your writing align with CAPE's mission to champion Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in the entertainment industry?
Where would you like to be in your career 5 years from now? In 10 years?
Professional writing resume
Non-refundable application processing fee ($65) paid via PayPal
What Script should I submit to the CAPE New Writers Fellowship and how will it be judged?
The submitted script should be your strongest writing sample and reflect the genres and content you would like to write. Selection for the CAPE New Writers Fellowship includes multiple rounds of anonymous judging. Criteria include (but are not limited to):
Concept - What makes it special? Does the world make sense?
Story - Is the plot clear and entertaining? Does the story have a theme?
Structure - Is the arc clear and interesting? Is there an act structure? Are you allocating time correctly?
Character - Are characters unique, likable, and active?
Dialogue - Does it sound distinct, believable, and purposeful?
Can I resubmit a script to the CAPE New Writers Fellowship?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: While we accept resubmissions, we do not encourage reapplying with a script you have submitted before without making substantial changes and ensuring that your new submission is distinct and unique from previous versions. Due to volume of submissions and bandwidth, CAPE is unable to provide feedback on submissions.
When will I find out if I have made it to the next stage of the CAPE New Writers Fellowship?
Applicants who have been invited to the interview stage of the CAPE New Writers Fellowship will be notified in late February or early March. Due to volume of inquiries and bandwidth, CAPE will not answer emails regarding application status.
Have more questions? Please contact programs@capeusa.org
MEET OUR 2025 FELLOWS!
CLASS OF 2025 BIOS
Photo by Darren Wong
AJ Currie (Mentored by Monica Macer; Showrunner & Executive Producer, MacGyver)| In conservative ‘90s Pakistan, gay and genderqueer AJ Currie was born “othered” by default, and started world-building as escapism. An immigrant who adores a good fashion moment, AJ writes about outsiders looking for home, balancing humanist contemplation with a sprinkle of theatrical flair. AJ is a Humanitas New Voices Fellow 2024-25, and a MFA graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Callie Chiang (Mentored by Charles Yu; Showrunner & Executive Producer, Interior Chinatown) | Callie Chiang is a third generation Chinese-Texan screenwriter who is still in recovery from her public school miseducation. Her stories serve a dual purpose: to entertain while offering profound insights into our society and the complexities of the human experience. Her writing has landed her on Coverfly’s Pitch Week and the 2024 Next List. Callie is an alum of Mentorship Matters and was recently accepted into CAPE’s 2025 New Writers Fellowship.
Justin Omori (Mentored by Kyle Harimoto; Co-Executive Producer, NCIS: Los Angeles) | Justin Omori is a screenwriter originally from Hawaiʻi and currently based in Los Angeles. Past projects have been featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, Criterion Channel, and Netflix. He was a screenwriting fellow for Film Independent Project Involve in 2022 and the Starz #TakeTheLead Writers’ Intensive in 2024.
Luke Fujimoto Jensen (Mentored by Keto Shimizu; Showrunner of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) | Luke is a mixed-race Japanese American TV comedy and hour-long genre writer, born and raised in Fargo, N.D. He graduated from Drake University with a degree in biochemistry before pivoting to his screenwriting dreams. He is also a graduate of the Paramount Writers Mentoring Program and staffed on the Amazon series Dinner with the Parents. He finds the heart beneath the humor in stories about outsiders searching for connection.
Kausar Mohammed (Mentored by Oanh Ly; Co-Executive Producer, Sweet Tooth) | Kausar Mohammed is a queer, Muslim, Pakistani writer working across comedy, horror, and everything in between. She wrote and starred in “The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night” (TIFF premiere, sold to a major studio) and was awarded the Sundance x Islamic Scholarship Fund’s Building Bridges Fellowship, and Orchard Project Artist Lab. She also acts in film, TV, and voiceover, with roles in The Flash, Mo, and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory.
Minoti Vaishnav (Mentored by Denise Thé; Executive Producer, Westworld) | Minoti Vaishnav’s credits include True Lies (CBS) and The Equalizer (CBS). As a former popstar, she released three albums. As a former unscripted development producer, she produced over a dozen true crime, historical, and paranormal investigation shows. Minoti is also a published short fiction author and scripted podcast writer. She has a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Oxford University and is an alumna of the Paramount Writers Mentoring Program.
Tia Kaiulani Kanaeholo (Mentored by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong; Co-Executive Producer, Resident Alien) | Tia is a Native Hawaiian, Japanese and Scottish writer, actor, and producer. She earned her MFA in Writing and Producing for Television at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. Most recently, Tia was a fellow in the inaugural PEAK (Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti) Writers Fellowship sponsored by Netflix. Her first short film, “Ornamental Oriental,” is set to premiere in 2025. Tia writes about complex individuals who fight against societal expectations. Just like she does every day.
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Fill out the form to get in touch with CAPE and request our fellows’ contacts and scripts.
Alumni of the CAPE New Writers Fellowship have been staffed on every broadcast network, major streamer, and premium cable channel.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 PARTNERS!
