2026 Roadmap Shorts Competition Rules and Guidelines
The competition is open to Short Screenplays (30-page max), Filmed Shorts (max runtime of 35 minutes), filmed Verticals (max runtime of 3 minutes), hereinafter referred to collectively as “Material.”
MATERIAL MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF REGISTRATION. SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DEADLINE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED.
Written Short Screenplays
- All Short Script submissions must be in PDF format.
- Short Scripts must not exceed 30 pages (not including the title page). All submissions must adhere to industry-standard margins and font.
- Must be written in English in 12-point Courier font.
- Do not include any additional documents with your submission i.e., pitch documents, series bibles, lookbooks, etc.
- All submissions are final. No substitutions of pages, drafts, or scripts will be allowed.
- Do NOT cheat in an effort to reduce your page count; your script will be disqualified. As a standard rule, 1.5” left, 1” right, and 1” top and bottom margins are acceptable.
- Submitting your script with a cover page including your name, script title, and contact information is recommended but not required. This may include a title, author name, WGA registration number, and/or Copyright information. The cover page does not count towards the overall script page count.
- Scripts submitted to the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased, or produced at the time of entry.
- In the event of multiple writers, please list all additional co-writers.
- Multiple screenplays may be submitted, but each screenplay is required to pay separate registration fees.
- If co-written, all prize packages are to be shared between the creatives.
Filmed Shorts
- Filmed Shorts must not exceed a total runtime of 35 minutes.
- Year completed must be within the last four years.
- Winning short film must be delivered on DCP by May 18th, 2026 and include open captions for audience inclusivity.
- Roadmap Writers nor BraveMaker are responsible for any associated travel costs or transportation to and from BraveMaker Film Festival. Should the winner(s) choose to attend, they will do such at their own expense.
- Directors and Screenwriters will be acknowledged. However, all prize packages to be shared between the creatives.
- Filmed Shorts must be submitted via a password-protected online streaming URL, either via Vimeo or YouTube
- The password you provide at the time of submission can not be changed for the duration of the competition. If we are unable to access your Short at the time of evaluation, your entry will be disqualified, and your entry fee will not be refunded.
- Downloadable files will not be accepted.
- Filmed shorts must be in English, or, if applicable, with English subtitles included at the time of submission.
- Entrant warrants that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead. Entrant will indemnify Roadmap Writers against any claim made for such violations of law.
- Filmed Shorts produced, financed, initiated, distributed, or hosted by major studios, online platforms, networks, or similar entities are ineligible for this competition.
- Animated Shorts are eligible.
- Documentary Short subject works will not be accepted for this competition.
Vertical
- Filmed Verticals must not exceed a total runtime of 3 minutes.
- Year completed must be within the last four years.
- Winning Vertical must have SDH-style captions for audience inclusivity.
- Winning Vertical will be featured on Roadmap Writer's Instagram and TickTock.
- Directors and Screenwriters will be acknowledged. However, all prize packages are to be shared between the creatives.
- Filmed Vertical must be submitted via an online streaming URL, either via Vimeo or YouTube
- If a password is provided at the time of submission, it can not be changed for the duration of the competition. If we are unable to access your Vertical at the time of evaluation, your entry will be disqualified, and your entry fee will not be refunded.
- Downloadable files will not be accepted.
- Filmed Verticals must be in English, or, if applicable, with English subtitles included at the time of submission.
- Entrant warrants that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead. Entrant will indemnify Roadmap Writers against any claim made for such violations of law.
- Filmed Verticals produced, financed, initiated, distributed, or hosted by major studios, online platforms, networks, or similar entities are ineligible for this competition.
Animated Verticals are eligible.
General Rules
- Material must be the original work of the submitter(s).
- Neither Roadmap Writers nor any of its judges and/or competition partners investigates or confirms the authenticity of an entrant’s authorship rights or claim.
- All projects submitted will remain the property of the writer(s) and/or creator(s). Neither Roadmap Writers nor any of its judges and/or their respective companies assume any attachment to your work.
- Entrants may submit both a filmed version and a written version of their short, however, each requires a separate entry and submission fee.
- Projects submitted to the competition must not have received grand prize awards from other competitions.
- Must be 18 years old or over to enter.
- Must be an original idea; free and clear of any copyright issues.
- Entrants may be contacted as a result of the competition by Roadmap Writers, a member of the judging panel, or other industry professionals.
- Material submitted that has a co-writer(s) or co-director(s) must be submitted by one individual with the consent of the other(s).
- If a writing or directing team places in the competition or is chosen as a winner, prizes will be granted to the person who submits the project. Each writing team is responsible for dividing or sharing the prize benefits.
- Only entries that purchase Feedback Notes at the time of submission will receive written feedback.
- Roadmap Writers is not responsible for any technical issue(s) that may arise from electronic submission.
- All evaluations by independent industry experts are final.
- Submissions will be evaluated by experienced independent industry experts and judged on the criteria of: Premise/Concept, Characters, Dialogue, Story, Structure, and Voice/Style. Submissions will receive multiple evaluations based on the competition’s proprietary scoring system.
- Feedback notes will be returned to writers at the time of the Quarterfinalist announcement.
- Roadmap Writers reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
- If a judge or competition partner is no longer able to serve in their specific capacity, Roadmap Writers will make best efforts to secure a replacement. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
- The grand prize winners will participate in a month-long mentorship from a list of of available Execs. Writer will have email access to the Executive, plus 4x one-hour consultations with the Exec. Exec will read up to 4 scripts in one month (different drafts of the same script or 4 different scripts) and conduct 4x one-hour story notes calls. Calls can also include feedback on your pitch, branding, or career strategy.
- By entering the Roadmap Shorts Competition, the Entrant agrees to receive competition updates via email and periodic marketing emails from Roadmap Writers. You may unsubscribe at any time.
- To enter the Roadmap Writers Shorts Competition, you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.
- All sales are final. No refunds will be issued.
- While it is not a requirement, we encourage writers to register their script with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or Writers Guild of America.
About Roadmap Writers
Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for Career Writers looking for a guided path to success. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Since 2016, we have helped more than 480 writers sign to representation, and countless others get staffed, optioned, or sell their script.