Writing is an art that thrives on observation, empathy, and an understanding of how people behave when the world around them begins to fracture. In contemporary screenwriting, few writers capture emotional complexity and structural experimentation quite like Alice Birch. Birch has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in modern film and television. Her work often explores identity, gender, power, and the fragile connections between people. She does this thr

As part of our ongoing effort to spotlight the voices shaping the future of film and television (you can see last year's Emerging Screenwriters here ), we’re excited to present our list of emerging screenwriters to watch in 2026. Each year brings a new wave of storytellers pushing creative boundaries, exploring fresh perspectives, and redefining genre storytelling across the industry. From award-winning filmmakers to rising writers gaining recognition through major fellowship

The number of modern filmmakers who silently transformed the emotional vocabulary of screenwriting is quite large, and Lulu Wang is one of the most unique voices of the past ten years. Wang is best known as the screenwriter of The Farewell (2019) , whose stories are intimate but broad, personal but culturally expansive. Her writing deals with family, identity, migration, language, and the silent negotiations between truth and love. What can writers learn about the way Lulu Wa

There are so many greats in the screenwriting world, and few have had the longevity as Mike White. Primarily known for The White Lotus , White bursted onto the scene with 2000’s Chuck & Buck and 2003’s School of Rock . What can we learn from Mike White as writers? Let’s take a look! Photo license: Canadian Film Centre Recurring Themes and Tone Tone-wise, his writing is often a tonal balancing act between satire, absurdity, drama, and sometimes horror or tragedy. It's not pur