Literary Affairs Intern – Literary IP Sourcing

Job Description

Literary Affairs Intern, Fall 2026 | The Walt Disney Company

The Tone:
This is an internship at The Walt Disney Company, located in New York, NY. The Walt Disney Company is a global entertainment leader, home to iconic studios like 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios. This role is crucial for identifying compelling literary properties, including books, articles, short stories, and podcasts, for potential film adaptation, serving as the studios’ connection to the publishing world. The intern will contribute to shaping future storytelling across major film franchises and original content.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Temporary
• Location: In-person, New York, NY
• Pay: $22.50 hourly
• Team: Small, close-knit team, supporting the Director of Literary Affairs
• Mission: Act as the studios’ eyes and ears in the publishing world, seeking out literary properties and other forms of IP for film adaptation.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office Suite

What You’ll Actually Do
• Collaborate on Projects: Engage in discussions concerning books, scripts, and projects to help establish industry leadership and innovate in storytelling.
• Market Research: Track industry news and book reviews, conducting research on literary trends, authors, and potential new projects.
• Content Evaluation: Support the department in the evaluation and analysis of scripts, books, and other materials for film adaptation.
• Database Management: Perform data entry and record keeping, maintaining and organizing literary databases.
• Administrative Support: Assist with various administrative tasks for the department.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Student pursuing a degree in Film, Cinematic Arts, English, Literature, or Marketing, preferably in their senior year.
• Experience: Experience proactively contributing and working collaboratively in a team environment. Demonstrated proficiency in critical analysis of content and experience communicating insights clearly and concisely.
• Skills: Understanding of literary analysis and storytelling techniques. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bonus: Previous internship or work experience in the publishing industry, a network, studio, publisher, agency (literary or film), or production company. Familiarity with literary databases and research tools. Knowledge of books and features across genres with the ability to compare potential adaptations. Interest in current trends across film, television, and literature.