Screenwriters Breaking the Mold in 2023

In screenwriting, it's important to know when to follow the rules and when to break them. Screenwriters need to dance between obeying an audience's expectations and surprising them. Most importantly, writers must achieve these things while crafting stories that are true to their hearts.

Following all of this can feel like a pretty tall order, but many screenwriters do all these things every year. Keep reading to see my list of five screenwriters breaking the mold in 2023!

Alex Convery

With his Air Jordan creation biopic, "Air," being directed by Ben Affleck and theatrically released this year, Alex Convery wasn't' sure this day would ever come. Previously, he had two screenplays placed on The Black List but never produced. The idea of getting a big name attached to one of his scripts seemed like a long shot.

Discouraged during the early days of the pandemic, Convery found inspiration in the form of his love of sports. While watching the hit Michael Jordan docuseries, “The Last Dance,” he was struck with the idea to write about Nike's beloved shoe, the Air Jordan.

Convery didn't set out to write your average biopic or even a traditional sports movie. Instead, “Air” is a witty, talkative drama that makes an underdog of the billion-dollar company, Nike, and introduces Michael Jordan as a relatively unknown basketball player.

Convery's script feels both refreshing and like a throwback to smart adult-focused movies that we don't see very often anymore.

Twitter: @alexconvery

IMDb: Alex Convery

Ximena García Lecuona

Ximena García Lecuona's feature script debut “Anything's Possible” first gained attention on the 2019 GLAAD List and then the 2020 Black List before Billy Porter became attached to direct. It finally made its streaming premiere on Amazon in 2022 to positive reviews. Inspired by a Reddit post, and drawing from Lecuona's own life experience, “Anything's Possible” is a pioneering teen coming-of-age story that follows a confident high school girl, who happens to be trans, in her senior year as she finds romance.

With her dedication to creating works that showcase trans joy, Ximena García Lecuona is at the start of a groundbreaking career.

Stream “Anything's Possible” on Amazon's Prime Video!

IMDb: Ximena García Lecuona

Twitter: @xime_lecuona

Samuel D. Hunter

Samuel D. Hunter's first feature film “The Whale” is an adaption of his awarding winning play by the same name. “The Whale” tells the story of a morbidly obese English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his teenage daughter. The film proved a critical and box office success, going on to win numerous awards.

Hunter began his writing career as a playwright and went on the receive the MacArthur Genius Grant. The MacArthur Foundation describes him as "a playwright who crafts moving portraits of unlikely protagonists and explores the human capacity for empathy through the prism of his characters' struggles." With the promise of more insightful character-driven work, I can't wait to see what Samuel D. Hunter does next in the world of film.

 IMDb: Samuel D. Hunter

Stefani Robinson

While many might know Stefani from her television work writing on “Atlanta” or “What We Do in the Shadows,” she's recently broken into feature film with her historical biopic, “Chevalier.” “Chevalier” is based on the life of the titular musician, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner and follows him as he rises in French society as a composer. Likening Chevalier to Prince or Jimi Hendrix, Robinson has wanted to tell his story since she was in high school.

Despite being about a living person, “Chevalier” isn't your average period piece or by-the-book biography, instead, Robinson draws from her television experience to create a story that lies somewhere between works like “Belle” and “Bridgerton.”

With such notable works to her name, it'll be exciting to see what the future holds for Stefani Robinson.

Be sure to check out “Chevalier” during its theatrical run!

IMDb: Stefani Robinson (II)

Instagram: stefanirobinson

Joel Kim Booster

Joel Kim Booster helped to shift the rom-com landscape with his feature screenwriting debut, “Fire Island,” a “Pride and Prejudice”-inspired story about a group of gay friends who vacation on New York's Fire Island. “Fire Island” utilizes Booster's perspective as someone from both the Asian American community, and the LGBTQIA+ community, and creates a romcom that does justice to both marginalized communities.

In addition to his work as a writer, Booster is also a stand-up comedian and actor, having appeared in “Shrill” and “Loot.” He's also written for television, his credits include “Big Mouth,” and “The Other Two.”

He told Variety that he enjoys writing "slices of life, domestic stories set against a backdrop that is really heightened and fantastical." Seeing what Joel Kim Booster does next with his unique perspective is something to look forward to!

Be sure to check “Fire Island” out on Hulu.

IMDb: Joel Kim Booster

Twitter: @ihatejoelkim

These five screenwriters are pushing the boundaries and changing the film industry for the better with their unique, authentic, and inclusive stories. As we eagerly await their future projects be sure to follow them on social media and check out any of their currently available works. With these screenwriters breaking the mold, the future of screenwriting looks bright.