Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch for 2026

The foundation of every compelling movie or television show rests squarely on a solid script. Recognizing this vital truth, Variety has officially announced its esteemed selection of 10 up-and-coming scribes to celebrate as the Screenwriter to Watch class of 2026. These talented writers are being honored at a dedicated panel taking place at the Santa Fe International Film Festival, providing a prominent platform for their emerging voices in the entertainment industry.

Among the honored talents are creative partnerships and individual writers whose projects span compelling biopics, adaptations, and original narratives. One notable duo featured on the list is Todd Bartels and Lou Howe, who co-wrote the script titled 'Tony.' The feature focuses on a pivotal, formative summer for a young Anthony Bourdain long before he became a celebrated chef, writer, and television host.

Bartels and Howe have been friends since high school, but 'Tony' marks the first feature they have had produced as a team. Their previous collaboration included 'Dumb Blonde,' a script about a Dolly Parton origin story that successfully made the prestigious Black List in 2022. Their shared enthusiasm for biographical narratives led them to explore the life of Anthony Bourdain, whose work they had long admired.

When discussing their creative process, the writing duo emphasizes the importance of finding a narrow window that acts as a microcosm for a much larger life journey. For Dolly Parton, they focused on her early years in Nashville. For Anthony Bourdain, they zeroed in on a single summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he worked as a dishwasher and discovered his lifelong calling in the culinary world.

Their personal backgrounds heavily influenced the authenticity of the script. Both writers spent time working in New England kitchens during their youth, which allowed them to capture the atmosphere and grit of restaurant life accurately. This dedication to authentic detail is a hallmark of their broader approach to exploring origin stories and understanding the formative seeds of remarkable individuals.

Following their work on 'Tony,' Bartels and Howe are actively developing a diverse slate of future material. Their upcoming projects include a biopic about a young Jackie Bouvier and her romance with John F. Kennedy, a project centered on the early days of MTV, and an adaptation of the 'Murder 101' podcast for Amazon. Furthermore, they have ventured into high-profile franchise territory by working on the 'Metal Gear Solid' video game adaptation for Sony.

Reflecting on their transition from intimate biopics to large-scale action properties, Howe noted that the specialized skill set used to focus on micro-windows of life successfully translated to managing expansive cinematic canvases. Alongside Bartels and Howe, other visionary writers are being recognized for shaping projects like 'Being Heumann,' 'Clarissa,' and 'A Different World,' pointing toward a vibrant future for screenwriting.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, discovering fresh writing talent remains essential for sustaining innovative storytelling on both the big and small screens. The recognition from Variety serves as a crucial career milestone for these ten screenwriters, signaling to studios and audiences alike that these are the creative forces to watch in the coming years and beyond.