Harvardwood Announces Winners of the 2025 Writers Competition: A Celebration of Emerging Talent
Harvardwood, Harvard University’s prestigious writer incubation program, has proudly unveiled the winners of its 2025 Writers Competition. This year, Yael Schick clinched the top spot in the feature category with her captivating script, Mazel Tov? Meanwhile, Gwen Thomas excelled in both the TV category and secured the title of Most Staffable Writer with her innovative project, Not That Deep.
Now in its 19th successful year, Harvardwood’s competition winners were chosen through a rigorous blind judging process by a panel of industry experts. Each winner will have the opportunity to receive mentorship from leading professionals in the TV and film sectors, gain exposure to top producers, and be considered for representation by renowned agencies and management companies. Additionally, they will each receive a cash prize to support their creative endeavors.
This year’s mentors include notable industry figures Michael Colton (known for his work on A Futile and Stupid Gesture and Penguins of Madagascar) and Scott Weinger (Black-ish, Galavant). Harvardwood founder Mia Riverton Alpert expressed her excitement, stating, “In a time of increased uncertainty for emerging writers, we are thrilled to celebrate the talents of Yael and Gwen and leverage Harvardwood’s resources to amplify their unique voices.”
In recent years, participants in the Harvardwood Writers Program and Competition have achieved remarkable success, securing pilot sales with major networks and platforms such as ABC, The CW, Disney+, Netflix, and Showtime. Many Harvardwood writers have also been staffed on over two dozen prominent TV series and have gained representation with esteemed agencies including CAA, WME, and UTA.
Meet This Year’s Winners and Their Projects
Feature Category Winner: Mazel Tov? by Yael Schick
In Mazel Tov?, Jennifer, a supportive mother, faces an unexpected challenge when her son Max returns from a year abroad, declaring his newfound Orthodox faith and a desire to marry immediately. As she navigates the complexities of family dynamics and her own sanity, this heartfelt story explores the lengths a mother will go to for her child.
TV Category Winner: Not That Deep by Gwen Thomas
Not That Deep is a half-hour animated comedy that follows two awkward teenage mermaids who unexpectedly become the stars of a nature documentary. This unique series humorously captures their painfully relatable high school experiences, combining wit and charm in an engaging narrative.
Most Staffable Writer: Gwen Thomas (Not That Deep)
Gwen Thomas has also been recognized as the “Most Staffable Writer” for her exceptional work on Not That Deep, which was nurtured within the Harvardwood Writers Program.
For more information about this year’s winners and their exciting projects, stay tuned! Harvardwood continues to be a beacon for aspiring writers, helping them transform their creative visions into reality.
