2026 Episodic Lab Semifinalists & Writers of Distinction

This year’s Episodic Lab submissions demonstrated an exceptional level of craft, originality, and ambition, making this one of our most rigorous selection processes to date.

We are proud to announce 25 Semifinalists: writers whose work rose to the very top of an extraordinarily strong field.

We would also like to recognize 15 Writers of Distinction: artists and projects that distinguished themselves through the strength of their voice and vision.

Every writer who shared their work with us deserves recognition; the extraordinary range of storytelling in this year’s submissions celebrates both talent and artistic clarity, and heralds exciting new stories making their way to our screens.

Our gratitude also extends to our jury members, Justin Geldzahler and Jennifer Cho Suhr, whose insight and care helped guide this year’s selection process.

SEMIFINALISTS

Allyson Morgan – THE 411
Amy Huckabay – ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD
Carla Torres – BRACE FOR IMPACT
Claire Nauman – THE COMPOUND
Dannah Shinder – DEAD INSIDE
Danniel Rodriguez – YUMA
Darren Anderson – HOLY GHOST
Drew Lausch – FRIENDLIEST
Hannah Levin – HONEY BADGER
Jabari McDonald – THRUST
Jackie Cloud – MAYFIELD
James Anthony Tyler – BONDS
Jeanine Daniels – LOWCOUNTRY
Justine Beed-Chen – THE AMERICAN SCHOOL
Kate Roche – CICATRIZ
Kimberly Divad – TYPECASTED
Kris Crenwelge – CHOCTAW LAW
Kyra Brown – SIDE HUSTLE
Lekethia Dalcoe – VALLEY OF BONES
Mike Benner – LIKE MOTHER LIKE SON
Mishki Vaccaro – GALIANO
Rebecca Delgado Smith – MY FAMILIA
Sean Buckley – AT WITS END
Tahir Bell – HOW TO BE BLACK ON SOL III
Thaddeus McCants – OUT OF THE RED, INTO THE BLACK

WRITERS OF DISTINCTION

Aiman Mimiko – NATIVE AUTHORITY
Andrew James – BATTY
Benjy Steinberg – CLOSERS
Carlton Gillespie – FIVE STAR
Corey Popowski – OUR SUMMER PLACE
Emily Hornsby – SUCKERS
Evan Manning – FOXTOWN
Julia Hannafin – THE UNSEEN
Julia Prescott – TINY BIRD WOMAN
Maalik Evans – SIMMER
Meg Swertlow – WITCH PLEASE
Melody Cooper – RISE
Ruth Fowler – LADY GHISLAINE
Terron - – IN PLAIN SIGHT
Vanessa Benton – PRIMORDIAL