2026 DET Writing Program | Noelle Liljedahl

We’re very pleased to share that 2026 DET Program Writer, Noelle Liljedahl, has staffed on Season 1 of Hulu/20th’s PRISON BREAK! Born and raised in Iowa, Noelle moved to the West Coast to attend Chapman University’s Screenwriting Program. Prior to the Disney Writing Program, Noelle held internships at various production companies including HBO, and was…

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2025-26 DET Directing Program – Unscripted | Kirsten “Kiki” Malone

We’re pleased to share that 2025-26 DET Unscripted Program Director, Kirsten “Kiki” Malone, has been assigned to direct a segment on Season 22 of ABC’s BACHELORETTE! A seasoned unscripted professional, Kiki’s passion for storytelling began in her Midwestern hometown and ultimately led her to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she graduated at the…

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Disney Entertainment Television Unveils 2026 Directing & Writing Program Participants

Top row, from left: Ryan Richmond, Noelle Liljedahl, Kiki Malone, Maya Florin Middle row, from left: Sagiv Karpel, Kat Vladimirova, Monica Lucas, Cassidy Lee, Aaron Outlen, Claire Gostin, Neiman Outlen Bottom row, from left: Jenna Park, Mariam Girgis, Jamala Gaither Not pictured: Vanessa Beletic, Sammi Cannold, Gayle Galvez, Alejandra Lopez Photo Credit: Disney/Michael Kirchoff Today…

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2025 DET Writing Program – Mo Abhat

Let’s hear it for 2025 Disney Program Writer, Mo Abhat, who has staffed on Season 1 of Hulu/20th’s PRISON BREAK reboot!  A first-generation Afghan-American writer, Mo began his career as an actor.  After graduating from the Stella Adler Academy of Acting & Theatre Conservatory, he appeared in numerous television projects including SWAT, FBI, CRIMINAL MINDS,…

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2025 Disney Program Writer, Andrina Wekontash Smith

We’re very pleased to share that 2025 Disney Program Writer, Andrina Wekontash Smith, has staffed on Season 2 of Hulu/Onyx/20th’s DELI BOYS! A Shinnecock storyteller who grew up on a reservation in the Hamptons, Andrina is a graduate of Emerson College, where she majored in Theatre Studies with an emphasis in SocialChange. Her work often…

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2025 Disney Program Writer, Mike Carreon

We’re excited to announce that 2025 Disney Program Writer, Mike Carreon, has been staffed on Season 2 of ABC/20th’s Shifting Gears! Mike is a Tejano comedy writer from Austin, Texas, who uses heart and humor to transform the hate in our world into stories audiences love. He previously co-starred in and wrote for NBC’s LOPEZ…

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2025 Disney Program Writer, Fatima Eldigair

We’re thrilled to announce that 2025 Disney Program Writer, Fatima Eldigair, has been staffed on ABC/20th’s THE ROOKIE! Fatima, 2025 FX John Singleton Scholar, is a Sudanese-American “traumedy” writer based in Los Angeles. An alum of the Walt Disney Television Apprenticeship Program, Fatima has since worked as an assistant to Stefani Robinson on projects such…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Kelly Yu

Shoutout to 2024-25 Scripted Director, Kelly Yu, who will be directing an episode of Showtime/20th’s THE CHI! A Swedish-born, New Orleans-raised, Chinese-American writer and director, Kelly’s work explores complex familial relationships and personal identity through an “East-meets-West” lens. Her first short film, PLUM TOWN, won the Grand Jury Award at the Boston Independent Film Festival,…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Sarah Smith

Applause for 2024-25 Scripted Director, Sarah Smith, who will be directing segments and an episode of ABC’s GENERAL HOSPITAL! An award-winning director, writer, and editor, Sarah’s latest short film, CARDIFF, was nominated for a 2023 BAFTA Camera, and her previous short, BLACK HAT, was an official selection of the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, and won…

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