Fox Writers Intensive Announces Finalists

Fox has revealed the finalists for Fox Writers Intensive for the 2015-2016 season.

Now in its fourth year, the writing program’s 12 finalists were selected from more than 400 nominations and submissions from organizations including the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Sundance Institute, The Black List, Outfest, Film Independent, NAACP, Women in Film Los Angeles, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and Veterans in Film & TV.

The program will last 14 weeks, during which writers will develop their skills under the tutelage of Fox writers and executives. The curriculum is curated by Fox along with Film Independent. At the end of the term, one finalist will win the title of 2015 FWI Fellow, and his or her original script will also receive either a purchase and development deal or a first-look deal from Fox or its affiliates. The fellow will also score one-on-one creative meetings with Fox’s higher-ups. All of the finalists will be invited to staffing meetings for current Fox shows and get a first-look agreement to option their scripts.

Nicole A. Bernard, exec VP of audience strategy for 21st Century Fox, said the program aims to foster writers with unique backgrounds. “Authenticity is essential to successful storytelling,” Bernard said in a statement. “That process starts with hiring writers with diverse and authentic points of view, and that’s exactly who we want to engage through the Fox Writers Intensive. This has been the goal of FWI from the beginning – it has proven true in the talented and formidable group of writers we’ve announced today, and we look forward to being a part of their continued success.”

Here is a full list of the 2015-2016 finalists and alternates:

• Aaron Carew (Independent)

• Jason Coffey (Kaplan Stahler Agency and Oasis Media Group)

• David Cornue (Original Artists and Madhouse Entertainment)

• Cindy Fang (Gersh and Echo Lake Entertainment)

• Chuck Hayward (APA and Heroes and Villains Entertainment)

• David McMillan (Creative Artists Agency and Grandview)

• Diana Mendez (Animo Entertainment)

• Jess Pineda (Kaplan Stahler Agency and Principato-Young Entertainment)

• Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe (ICM Partners and Industry Entertainment)

• Rebecca Walker (United Talent Agency and 3 Arts Entertainment)

• JaNeika and JaSheika James (ICM Partners)

• Jared Romero (Think Tank Management)

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