CAPE Selects 2026 News Writers Fellowship Class for Hollywood Training
Similar Articles
New Fellowship Pairs Filmmakers with AI Tools for Creative Projects
Six African Film Producers Selected for 2026 Accelerator Program
Variety and Gold House Name Eight Asian Pacific Islanders as 2026 Up Next in Entertainment
Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Announces 2026 Shortlist, Culminating in June Ceremony
Laika and Gotham Institute Launch Animation Accelerator for Early-Career Filmmakers
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has announced the four emerging screenwriters selected for its 2026 News Writers Fellowship class. The 14-year-old professional development program trains writers for Hollywood, with graduates having been staffed on over 70 shows. The fellowship receives support from major studios including Netflix, Sony, and Disney.
Facts First
- Four emerging writers selected for the 2026 News Writers Fellowship class.
- Fellowship is in its 14th year as a professional development program for Hollywood.
- Graduates have been staffed on over 70 shows across network, cable, and streaming platforms.
- Program receives support from Netflix, Sony, Disney, TAAF, and LA County Arts & Culture.
- CAPE is entering its 35th anniversary as an organization.
What Happened
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) announced the four writers selected for its 2026 News Writers Fellowship class. The 2026 fellows are Haley Chung, mentored by 'St. Denis Medical' executive producer Vicky Luu; Kalos Chu, mentored by 'We Were Liars' co-executive producer Gursimran Sandhu; Monisha Dadlani, mentored by 'Alien: Earth' executive producer and co-showrunner Monica Macer; and Val Tan, mentored by Disney's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' live-action writer and Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang. The fellowship curriculum consists of in-person and virtual panels and masterclasses.
Why this Matters to You
If you watch television or streaming shows, this program helps shape the stories you see by developing new writing talent. The increase in API (Asian Pacific Islander) writers on series suggests a gradual shift toward more diverse storytelling behind the scenes. However, the broader industry contraction means significantly fewer writers overall are being employed, which could affect the pace of new content creation.
What's Next
The selected fellows will begin their professional development training through the fellowship's curriculum. CAPE's other talent development programs will continue to operate alongside the fellowship. The organization's growth and the reported increase in API writer employment may encourage continued support from its studio partners for future fellowship classes.