The 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026 at the Austin Film Festival - MovieMaker Magazine
Being recognized as one of Austin Film Festival’s Screenwriters to Watch indicates both creative potential and professional growth in one's career. Chosen from a competitive pool, these writers excel in originality, craftsmanship, and audience engagement, attracting the attention of industry professionals looking for new viewpoints. The writers featured this year join a broad network of seasoned creatives who have successfully transitioned from aspiring writers to established careers. Other notable screenwriters to watch include Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar (Train Dreams, Sing Sing), Megan Park (My Old Ass), VJ Boyd (The Madness), Austin Kolodney (Dead Man’s Wire), Zarna Garg (A Nice Indian Boy), and Glen Powell (Hit Man), among others. This acknowledgment not only serves as recognition but also paves the way for mentorship, networking opportunities, and visibility—essential resources that can influence a writer's career and hint at future possibilities.
Mark Bianculli, writer of How To Rob A Bank, Cliffhanger, Hunters
Bio:
Mark Bianculli is a writer and producer based in Los Angeles, with a focus on TV and features. Recently, he wrote and executive produced his original feature screenplay HOW TO ROB A BANK for Amazon/MGM, which was directed by David Leitch and features a cast including Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Pete Davidson, and John C. Reilly. He also penned the screenplay for the CLIFFHANGER reboot, starring Pierce Brosnan and Lily James.
Prior, Bianculli was the co-creator and co-showrunner of NBC’s LINCOLN RHYME: HUNT FOR THE BONE COLLECTOR and contributed to Amazon’s HUNTERS, produced by Jordan Peele and featuring Al Pacino. He began his journey in features, co-writing THE GOOD NEIGHBOR with James Caan, and has sold scripts to various studios, with two of his screenplays having appeared on The Blacklist. In television, he co-wrote and produced additional pilots like THE JURY (ABC) and DOOMSDAY (ABC). He takes pride in the fun, silly movies he creates with his children.
On breaking in:
I had been selling feature projects intermittently and even made an indie film. However, the real stability in my career materialized when VJ Boyd, a friend and collaborator (also a past AFF Screenwriter to Watch), invited me to co-write a TV idea he believed I was ideally suited for. He had a blind script deal and chose to split it equally with me, despite me being less established. That remains one of the most generous acts anyone has done for me. It introduced me to a more stable television world, leading to development deals and enabling me to build a secure life as a writer. For the first time, I was making creative decisions rather than just struggling to land any paycheck.
Buck Bloomingdale, writer of Riding Hurt
Bio:
Buck Bloomingdale hails from a small rural town in Virginia and has always nurtured a passion for storytelling. After earning a degree in media studies at James Madison University, he moved to Los Angeles, where he has penned numerous features, pilots, plays, and short stories. His work has been recognized by several institutions; most recently, Buck sold his feature spec RIDING HURT in a competitive auction to Teton Ridge, with Range producing.
On writing advice:
Writing advice can be tricky, but one foolproof piece I’ve encountered is “read a lot, and write a lot.” I also often reflect on Mark Duplass’s phrase, “the cavalry isn’t coming”—no one is going to write for you.
Richie James Follin, writer/director of Crystal Cross, music for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep
Bio:
Richie Follin is an American musician, writer, actor, and filmmaker who proudly identifies as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He first gained recognition at 18 after releasing a 7-inch record on Posh Boy Records. This led to a music video directed by Michel Gondry and his music being featured in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, marking the beginning of a long-standing creative partnership.
Follin has toured worldwide with bands like The Willowz, Cults, CRX, and Guards, performing at festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Primavera Sound. He has made appearances on various TV shows, including Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Late Late Show with James Corden.
In 2025, he wrote and directed his debut feature film Crystal Cross, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival and won the Audience Award.
On a memorable experience at AFF:
Aside from meeting my film heroes like Rian Johnson, Celine Song, Robert Rodriguez, Christopher McQuarrie, and Christine Vachon, and attending a life-changing screenwriting lecture by Michael Arndt, the BBQ at Robert Rodriguez’s
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The 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026 at the Austin Film Festival - MovieMaker Magazine
Being recognized as one of the Screenwriters to Watch by the Austin Film Festival indicates both artistic potential and career advancement. Chosen from a
