Folklore (n.): a cultural body of traditional customs, sayings, dances, tales, or art forms preserved among a group of people.
Caribbean Folklore is a rich and diverse collection of stories, beliefs, and traditions shaped by the region's history of colonialism, slavery, violence, and multicultural influences that blends many cultures including African, Creole, Asian, Indigenous American, European, and Indian. Folklore has served as a vulcanizing agent for a new form of literature unique to the Caribbean—one that celebrates the soul and spirit of a region and its people.
In partnership with local organizations in Barbados, Bahamas, and Grenada, Roadmap Writers is excited to bring you our first annual Caribbean Folklore Initiative! This initiative is focused on short scripts of no more than 30 pages that are inspired by the Folklore of any Caribbean Island AND either take place in the Caribbean or feature a Caribbean protagonist.
Short scripts are another great avenue to get industry professionals to experience your work!
Entry Pricing & Deadlines
Launches | October 21st, 2024
Submission Deadline | January 27th, 2025 | $35
*Deadline is @ 11:59 pm PST.
Add Feedback Notes | +$35
Receive a one-page analysis of your script.
*All Feedback Notes will be returned within 7-10 business days of the Quarterfinalist announcement date.
Grand Prize (1)
Short Script
- 1x Month Mentorship with one of our competition mentors!
- 5x Free Open Pitch Sessions
- 5x Months of Roadmap's Pitch Fitness Club
- A monthly 30-minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap's CEO and Director of Operations for 6 months!
- Personalized marketing outreach for your project.
See below for a full list of placements and prizes!
Announcement Dates
Quarterfinalist | February 28th, 2025
Semifinalist | March 31st, 2025
Finalist | April 28th, 2025
Winner | May 26th, 2025
*dates subject to change*
About Roadmap Writers
Roadmap Writers is a leader in screenwriting education and training taught by working industry executives & literary representatives. In almost seven years, Roadmap has helped more than 400 writers get signed to representation with agents and managers at companies like CAA, WME, Gersh, 3 Arts, Circle of Confusion, Wonder Street, Zero Gravity, Good Fear, Echo Lake Entertainment, and many more!
2024 Caribbean Folklore Initiative Judges
- Clarence Rolle | Director, Global Communications The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation | BIO
- De Carla Applewhaite | Festival Director, Barbados Independent Film Festival | BIO
- Meschida Philip | Founder & Director, 1261 Grenada Film Festival | BIO
THINK:
Competition Placements
Finalists
- 3 months of Roadmap's Pitch Fitness Club Program
- 3 Free Open Pitch Session credits. Choose to pitch to execs or reps
- 30-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap CEO
- Personalized marketing outreach for your project
Semifinalists
- 1 month of Roadmap's Pitch Fitness Club Program
- 1 Free Open Pitch Session credit. Choose to pitch to execs or reps
- 15-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap CEO
Quarterfinalists
- One 60-Minute Group Strategy Webinar with an industry executive
- Featured on Roadmap Writers Website
Scoring Criteria
Submissions will be judged by independent industry experts using the following criteria.
The questions are not exhaustive but are examples of what judges might consider in each category.
Premise/Concept
- Is it unique/original? Is it a new spin on a familiar story?
- Does the concept have longer form potential for either film or TV?
- Can it succinctly be explained?
- Do the actions and obstacles advance the story?
Characters
- Are the characters well-developed?
- Is their purpose or struggle clearly identifiable?
- Do they have a clear and complete arc?
- Are they multi-layered?
- Are the characters relatable or accessible to the reader/viewer?
Dialogue
- Does the dialogue elevate the scene?
- Does it heighten the overall story?
- Does it propel the story forward?
Story
- Is the story compelling?
- Does it serve to drive the characters and events forward in a meaningful way?
- Does it emphasize a deeper theme?
- Does the story explore new ideas?
Structure
- Does the story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
- Does it have the appropriate structural beats?
- For scripted work, is it formatted properly?
- For filmed content, is it edited effectively?
Voice/Style
- Does the writer use interesting word choice and sentence structure?
- Do they have a unique way of viewing and relaying what’s happening in the story?
- Does the writer/filmmaker have a unique perspective?
Thank you to our esteemed judges!
