CAPE New Writers Fellowship

Overview

The CAPE New Writers Fellowship (CNWF) is a mentorship and professional development program for emerging screenwriters, run by the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE). Founded and co-chaired by Emmy Award-winning creator and showrunner Leo Chu and veteran film and TV executive Steve Tao, the fellowship is one of the few programs created jointly by a creative and an executive. CAPE has been championing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in entertainment since 1991.

The fellowship runs each year in the spring. Sessions take place on weekday evenings Pacific Time for approximately 3 hours, twice a week. The 2026 cycle deadline was December 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Submissions for the 2027 fellowship will open in fall 2026.

The program is not a cash award. It is an immersive fellowship that provides each writer with practical and business knowledge needed to succeed as a professional writer in the entertainment industry. Fellows work with established showrunners, screenwriters, and industry professionals who serve as mentors throughout the fellowship period.

History

CAPE was founded in 1991 to champion Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in entertainment. The organization launched the New Writers Fellowship in 2012, making 2026 its 14th year. Co-founders Leo Chu and Steve Tao designed the program to bridge the gap between creative craft and industry business, drawing on their respective careers as a showrunner and an executive.

Over the years, the fellowship has adapted to industry shifts. In 2025, CAPE expanded the curriculum to address pathways beyond traditional television, including animation, features, video games, narrative audio, podcasts, and vertical content. The program also opened applications to staff writer-level writers, responding to a 46 percent drop in TV writing jobs for lower-level writers during the 2023-2024 season, as reported by the WGA. Graduates have been staffed on over 80 shows across all major network, cable, and streaming platforms, and some have signed overall deals.

Award Value

The CAPE New Writers Fellowship does not provide a cash stipend. Its value lies in the professional development, mentorship, and industry access it delivers. Each fellow receives:

• Year-long mentorship from an established industry professional matched to their writing sample
• Masterclasses, workshops, and panels covering television, features, animation, video games, narrative audio, and short-form digital content
• A Writing Lab where each fellow revises their original script with guidance from a high-level mentor
• Industry introductions to agents, managers, producers, and executives
• Showcase events where fellows present their work to industry decision-makers
• CAPE community membership connecting fellows with AAPI entertainment professionals
• Virtual sessions via Zoom (all sessions are remote)

The $65 application fee is lower than many comparable fellowship programs. CAPE does not charge tuition or participation fees for selected fellows.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be currently employed as a staff writer (or higher level) on an episodic program. Previously staffed writers may apply.
• Not have had a film or script with a budget over $1 million produced
• Have the ability to accept paid work in the United States (CAPE does not sponsor or assist with visas)
• Submit a script in English (additional languages accepted with subtitles)
• Submit an original episodic pilot script (half-hour or one-hour format). Anthology and limited-series scripts are accepted. Animation scripts are accepted in half-hour or one-hour format. Feature scripts and short-form digital/animation scripts are not accepted.
• The script must be in PDF format and in industry standard format
• The script must not contain any identifying information (name, email, rep information) on any pages. WGA or copyright registration numbers are optional.
• The script must be original and the applicant must own all rights free and clear
• The applicant must not be under an option agreement that would prevent them from workshopping the script
• Writing teams of up to 2 writers are accepted. Both members must meet all requirements and must be committed to pursuing a career as a writing team.

You do not have to be of Asian American or Pacific Islander heritage to apply. The fellowship is open to writers of any race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. Scripts do not need to feature AAPI characters or themes. CAPE recommends submitting your strongest work regardless of theme.

Past Recipients

The 2026 fellowship class includes 4 writers. Haley Chung, a former Fred Rogers Productions writing fellow, is mentored by Vicky Luu, executive producer of St. Denis Medical. Kalos Chu, whose pilot Imposter won first place at the 2026 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition, is mentored by Gursimran Sandhu, co-executive producer of We Were Liars. Monisha Dadlani is mentored by Monica Macer, executive producer and co-showrunner of Alien: Earth. Val Tan is mentored by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang.

The 2025 class included 7 fellows: AJ Currie, Callie Chiang, Justin Omori, Luke Fujimoto Jensen, Kausar Mohammed, Minoti Vaishnav, and Tia Kaiulani Kanaeholo. The program marked its 13th year and introduced expanded programming to address the entertainment industry's transitional period.

Notable alumni include Kevin Lau (class of 2015), who signed an overall deal with HBO and served as a story editor on Lovecraft Country. April Shih (class of 2017) became a supervising producer on FX's Dave. Julie Wong (class of 2015) was promoted to co-producer on ABC's Grey's Anatomy for season 16. Teresa Huang (class of 2015) served as a story editor on CBS's MacGyver.

What Made Their Application Stand Out

Successful CAPE fellows submit pilot scripts with a clear, original voice and a strong sense of structure. The fellowship values writers who demonstrate command of the episodic format, whether in comedy or drama. Applicants whose scripts show distinct personal perspectives tend to advance, especially when those perspectives reflect underrepresented experiences.

Mentors and selectors look for scripts that can serve as professional writing samples. A polished pilot that introduces compelling characters and a sustainable series premise gives applicants an edge. Writing teams who apply should demonstrate seamless collaboration and a unified voice in their script. Previously staffed writers who apply benefit from showing growth beyond their prior staff experience.

Renewal Requirements

The CAPE New Writers Fellowship is a one-time, single-cycle program. Fellows do not reapply for subsequent years. Once selected, fellows complete the program during the spring cycle and join the CAPE alumni network.

Alumni maintain access to the CAPE community and are encouraged to return as mentors for future cohorts. Several alumni have come back to mentor new fellows, continuing the program's cycle of support. There is no post-program obligation, but fellows are expected to attend all sessions and actively participate in the Writing Lab.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the CAPE website at capeusa.org/cnwf. The application requires:

• An original episodic pilot script (half-hour or one-hour) in PDF format, industry standard, with no identifying information
• A completed application form
• A $65 non-refundable application processing fee paid via PayPal

Applicants may submit more than one entry, but each entry must be submitted separately with its own application and fee. CAPE does not accept revised or replacement scripts after submission. All entries are non-refundable.

All dates are subject to change. Sessions are held on weekday evenings Pacific Time via Zoom.

What Filmmakers Should Know

Unlike many screenwriting fellowships that focus on feature films, the CAPE New Writers Fellowship specifically requires an episodic pilot script. This reflects the fellowship's orientation toward television and streaming careers. The program was founded by both a creative (Leo Chu, an Emmy-winning showrunner) and an executive (Steve Tao, a veteran film and TV executive), giving fellows exposure to both sides of the industry.

The fellowship does not require AAPI heritage or AAPI-themed content. CAPE's mission is to champion diversity, but eligibility is broader than many similar programs. Writers with feature screenplays only should note that CAPE no longer accepts feature scripts. Only half-hour or one-hour episodic pilot scripts are eligible. Writers with animation pilots in standard half-hour or one-hour format are eligible.

The program has expanded beyond television to cover animation, features, video games, narrative audio, and vertical content. This broader curriculum reflects changes in the entertainment industry and gives fellows multiple pathways to a writing career. Writers must be eligible for paid work in the United States and available to attend virtual sessions on weekday evenings Pacific Time.

Watch

See Also

For understanding how fellowships fit into a broader funding strategy, see Film Grants and Funding. For film festival strategy and submission tips, see Film Festival Strategy. To estimate production costs for a fellowship-supported project, use the Budget Breakdown. For evaluating the cost of applying against projected returns, use the Ad Spend Break-Even Calculator.