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.

What the Fellowship Covers

• Year-long mentorship from established industry professionals
• Workshops and craft sessions focused on screenwriting, pitching, and career development
• Writing labs where fellows workshop and edit their submitted script with guidance from mentors
• 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)

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.

How to Apply

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 in either film or TV, 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.

The 2026 cycle deadline was December 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. The 2027 cycle will open in fall 2026. Interested writers can sign up on the CAPE website to receive an email when the 2027 application is released.

Timeline

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

What Makes This Fellowship Different

Unlike many screenwriting fellowships that focus on feature films, CAPE New Writers Fellowship specifically requires an episodic pilot script. This reflects the fellowship's orientation toward television and streaming careers. The program is also distinctive in that it 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 the creative and business sides of the industry.

The fellowship does not require AAPI heritage or AAPI-themed content. CAPE's mission is to champion diversity, but the eligibility is broader than many similar programs. The $65 application fee is lower than many comparable fellowship programs.

Who Should Apply

Emerging screenwriters who have completed at least one original episodic pilot script and are ready for professional industry engagement. The fellowship is best suited to writers who are not yet staffed on a television show and who have not had a film or script with a budget over $1 million produced. Writers must be eligible for paid work in the United States and available to attend virtual sessions on weekday evenings Pacific Time.

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.

See Also

For screenwriting career guidance, see Screenwriting Essentials. For understanding television writing career paths, see Television Writing Careers. To explore filmmaking terminology, visit the Filmmaker Glossary.