Key Takeaways
- The Writers Guild Foundation has announced its 2026 Veterans Fellowship cohort.
- Five military veterans will participate in the program.
- Each veteran will be paired with an industry mentor.
- The program aims to support veterans entering the television industry.
2026 Veterans Fellowship Cohort Revealed
The Writers Guild Foundation has unveiled the latest group of military veterans selected for its Veterans Fellowship program. This initiative is designed to assist veterans in breaking into the television industry.
The 2026 cohort includes Jon-Alexander Genson, Kat Castañeda, Manda K. Skelton, Shain Brenden, and Shannon Corbeil. Each participant will be matched with a mentor from the industry, including notable figures like Dennis Lehane, David Schulner, Aron Eli Coleite, Dayo Adesokan, and Brian Studler.
Program Goals and Structure
The Veterans Fellowship program focuses on providing educational resources, professional guidance, and career-building opportunities tailored for military veterans. This marks the third year of the program, which will be led by Eli Edelson, a development executive and writer.
This fellowship builds on the success of the WGF Veterans Writing Project, a yearlong mentorship initiative that has been helping veterans hone their screenwriting skills for over a decade. Alumni from the program have gone on to have their scripts optioned and have secured positions on various television shows.
Industry Insights
Eli Edelson expressed optimism about the future of the participants, stating, “While the industry landscape continues to be challenging, I believe there will always be a place in Hollywood for writers with incredible stories. These five talented military service veterans have more than a few stories to tell. With the help of their high-level mentors and the community of the Writers Guild Foundation, I have no doubt they will find their place in the writers’ room before long.”
