2026 Purple List: Celebrating Emerging Talent in Film at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts
New York University has announced the selection of the 2026 Purple List, featuring the top production-ready screenplays from Tisch School of the Arts graduate film students and recent alumni. The five chosen screenplays are Kobayashi by Vincent Lee Accettola, Little Rhonda by Aisha Ford, Lychee Girl by Mira Peng, Rounds by Taylor Sanghyun Lee, and The Other Family by Juan Pablo Daranas Molina. These scripts were selected through a blind reading process by industry insiders, continuing the tradition of showcasing emerging talent in the film industry.
The Purple List, now in its 15th year, has previously featured works by acclaimed filmmakers such as Chloé Zhao, Hasan Hadi, Shaka King, Cathy Yan, Desiree Akhavan, and Laurel Parmet. Over the years, 19 scripts from past editions of the list have been developed into finished feature films, highlighting the success and potential of the selected screenplays.
This year's winners were chosen by a panel of industry professionals, including producers, writers, directors, cinematographers, and representatives from various organizations in the film industry. The diverse range of perspectives and expertise in the selection panel ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the screenplays and a platform for emerging talent to showcase their work.
Each of the selected screenplays offers a unique and compelling story. "Kobayashi" by Vincent Lee Accettola is a sports biopic and comedy that tells the true story of Takeru Kobayashi, a Japanese competitive eater who revolutionized the sport. "Little Rhonda" by Aisha Ford explores the coming-of-age journey of a teenager documenting her mother's recovery. "Lychee Girl" by Mira Peng is a coming-of-age sci-fi story set in rural China. "Rounds" by Taylor Sanghyun Lee delves into forgiveness and reconciliation in a Korean-American community. "The Other Family" by Juan Pablo Daranas Molina is a gripping thriller set in crisis-stricken Cuba.
The Purple List continues to be a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talent and creativity. The selected screenplays represent a diverse range of genres and storytelling styles, reflecting the rich and vibrant voices of the next generation of filmmakers. Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Purple List, and we look forward to seeing these stories come to life on the big screen.