The CAPE New Writers Fellowship (CNWF) discovers and nurtures emerging Asian and Pacific Islander writers launching their careers in television and other entertainment mediums.
With one of the highest success rates in the industry, CAPE New Writers Fellowship graduates have staffed on over 70 shows across all major network, cable, and streaming platforms in addition to signing overall deals.
Founded and co-chaired by Emmy Award-winning Writer, Creator and Showrunner Leo Chu and veteran film and TV executive Steve Tao, 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.
The Fellowship includes a series of intimate panels, workshops, and discussions with top television and film writers, producers, agents, managers, and executives. 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.
As thought leaders at the forefront of the evolving entertainment landscape, CAPE is expanding this year’s program to address the current challenges in the industry and include a wider variety of pathways to becoming a professional writer in Hollywood.
The enhanced curriculum will include both in-person and virtual masterclasses, panels, and workshops that explore a diverse array of writing opportunities, which may include animation, video games, indie films, narrative podcasts, short form digital content, and more.
The Fellowship typically runs each year in the spring. Sessions take place on weekday evenings Pacific time for approximately 3 hours, twice a week.