TRANS & NONBINARY COHORT

Gay and genderqueer in conservative Pakistan, AJ Currie was born “othered” by default, and started world-building nice and early as a way of escaping the confines of his reality. An immigrant who adores a good fashion moment, AJ writes about outsiders in their own worlds, trying to find a way in. His work balances humanist contemplation with theatrical flair — because complicated cultural conversations are more fun in high heels with a wine pairing and Hello Dollie! blasting in the background.

DISABILITY COHORT

Ana Maria Defillo is a Caracas-born, Miami-raised, Dominican writer, producer, & NOT a comedian. The Austin Film Festival named her a 2023 Screenwriter to Watch after her satirical pilot won in the 2022 festival. She paved her road to hell as a missionary, human rights grad student, & nonprofit professional. Now she spreads a gospel of cynical optimism in her work. Ana is a Rideback Rise Circle member & NHMC Program alum. Find her stealing jobs on YouTube, @unmaskeddiary, a comedic archive chronicling her attempts at human contact & feeling understood.

DISABILITY COHORT

Isabela Aquino was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a small favela. Despite having to literally dodge bullets while venturing outside her house, she always came home to be surrounded by family and showered with love. As a shy kid, Isabela learned to express herself through stories. She writes to explore themes of loneliness, mental health, and Blackness mixed with comedy. She is currently earning her MFA in Screenwriting at the University of Southern California.

TRANS & NONBINARYY COHORT

Jameson P. Murray is a trans, black writer, comedian and New Orleanian. His multi-hyphenates have earned him awards for writing, directing, theatre and film. When he’s not rollerskating behind Kenan in Good Burger 2, he can be found performing stand-up in Los Angeles. His writing and comedy aims to destigmatize trans-ness and create a new schema. Ultimately, he’s a curious guy, writing worlds he wants to live in.

Follow his journey @jaypaydro on instagram and @yesindeedmedia on YouTube!

TRANS & NONBINARY COHORT

Miida Chu is a writer-director of trans experience in parallel universes. Her  work often uses imaginative thought experiments to challenge assumptions about  body and soul. Her short film EUREKA won the prestigious Golden Reel Award at the  38th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, qualifying the film for consideration for  the 2023 Academy Award. Her  feature script SOUND OF MY DREAMS was a quarterfinalist for the Academy Nicholl  Fellowships, a semifinalist for the ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship, and a  semifinalist for the Stowe Story Labs / The Black List Artist Development Fellowship. 

DISABILITY COHORT

Monica Cecilia Lucas got her career start in Washington, DC where she worked at the U.S. Department of State and as a political activist. She moved to LA after the 2016 election but has remained active as a disability advocate. She earned her MFA in screenwriting, writes stylistic character dramas centered around Latina women and girls, and has participated in several writing labs, including the Inevitable Foundation’s Accelerate Screenwriting Fellowship. Monica is repped by RBEL and Elevate.

UNDOCUMENTED/FORMERLY UNDOCUMENTED COHORT

Rosa Navarrete is a first generation Peruvian immigrant based in Los Angeles. She is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and a Creative Writer hailing from UC Berkeley + Inner-City Filmmakers. Rosa is a passionate storyteller who enjoys writing in comedy & drama. She is a 1st place winner for the CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge, a BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab Fellow with Justice for My Sister, and a board member with the Refugee Children Center. www.rosastory.com

UNDOCUMENTED/FORMERLY UNDOCUMENTED COHORT

Tania Dominguez-Rangel does a lot. Born in Mexico City and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, Tania’s career has led her on a journey that melds a rich cultural heritage with a passion for storytelling. She is currently one of the producers on Hannia Yeverino’s upcoming short film, PUNKS. As Artist Development Co-Lead for the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, she nurtures emerging immigrant talent in the industry. Her creative endeavors delve into Latinx cultural history, suburban nostalgia, migration, and niche internet culture. 

DISABILITY COHORT

Tatiana Carr is a French/Australian actor/writer who worked at PwC before passion for the creative arts made her move to LA to pursue a career in entertainment. She has booked roles on several TV shows, written two pilots and is currently working on a feature film. Honoring the complexities of human experience is her favorite part of being a storyteller. Tatiana spends her free time fostering animals, organizing charity events and reading every type of fantasy book she can find.

TRANS & NONBINARY COHORT

Van Newman is a queer, transmasculine, multi-genre writer whose work explores our individual and collective desires, fears and questions in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. In 2022, Van completed Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab. Currently, Van is writing their first feature with Trevor Noah’s production company, Day Zero Productions. When they’re not writing, Van hosts a pop-up writers cafe out of their home for screenwriters of color called “bewritethere” with their fiancée.