Series Scriptwriters Program

Access to tech and creative industry employment

City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Latine writers in Los Angeles face systemic barriers limiting their access to media and entertainment, including scarce mentorship and few industry connections. Although Latinos represent nearly 50% of LA’s population, they account for just 2-5% of screenwriters and under 6% of media executives nationally. This underrepresentation leads to stories that misrepresent or oversimplify Latine culture, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and denying Latine audiences authentic reflections of themselves. Without targeted support, talented Latine creatives risk being overlooked, leaving the industry less diverse and less inclusive at a time when authentic storytelling is essential for social equity.

For over 20 years, NHMC’s Series Scriptwriters Program has been a cornerstone for equity in entertainment, offering one of the industry's most established writers labs dedicated to uplifting Latine storytellers. This competitive, eight-week virtual program selects ten emerging Latine writers annually from across the nation, with more than half residing in L.A. Participants engage in weekly writing workshops, pitch practice, script notes and development sessions, and professional development led by TV writers and showrunners. They also gain one-on-one mentorship and join a national Latine writers’ network. By the end of the lab, each writer completes an original series pilot and pitch their work to industry leaders, including partners like Disney, Netflix, and NBCUniversal. With over 200 alumni credited on shows across HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV+, and more, the program delivers both artistic excellence and real career outcomes.

Upon success, SSP will transform Los Angeles by empowering Latine writers to break systemic barriers and become media leaders who push for accurate and respectful representation of the complex, diverse Latine culture. Latino writers advocate for our stories to be told authentically and thoughtfully, which is crucial to combat stereotypes, build empathy, and influence public attitudes and policy making. Participants can gain access to spaces previously out of reach, increasing Latine presence in writers’ rooms, production teams, and executive decisions. This ripple effect strengthens community pride, economic growth, and social inclusion, which builds on LA’s entertainment industry as a model of cultural equity and empowerment.