The Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Fellowship

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Diversity Fellowship

Roadmap Writers is proud to continue our mission of opening doors for unrepped writers from underrepresented groups. As we approach the 8 year anniversary of our monthly Diversity Initiative, we’re excited to widen the scope of our efforts to provide even more actionable industry knowledge to more applicants by expanding our monthly Diversity Initiative into the Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Fellowship.

Always FREE to apply and now offered quarterly, Roadmap Writers will award ONE diverse Winner the Grand Prize of a full scholarship for Steps 1-4 of our Career Writer Program—a $1600 value! ONE Runner-Up will also be awarded Step 1: Pitch Prep. These immersive and interactive programs (Pitch Prep Program, Marketing Intensive, Portfolio Polishing, and Manager Track) give writers a competitive edge in the marketplace while helping them build relationships with as many working industry professionals as possible from anywhere in the world.

This program is for diverse screenwriters with at least 2 polished original features and/or TV pilots in their portfolio (with at least a 3rd original script in the works) who are ready to tackle the marketing aspects of their career! Roadmap defines "diverse" as anyone belonging to a group whose voice has been traditionally marginalized in Hollywood, particularly BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women over 45, and Disabled writers.

 

NOTE: Writers will not be able to save their application progress so before submitting, please take the time to review ALL application eligibility requirements and questions before starting.

How It Works


Opens For Applications: August 20th, 2024 at 9:00am PST

Personal Statement Deadline: September 20th, 2024 at 12:00pm PST

Submit a Personal Statement (500 words max) that communicates why you would be a valuable and hardworking member of the Career Writer Program!

  • Describe how your diverse background informs your storytelling.
  • Highlight your ability to craft a good story.
  • Focus on your screenwriting goals.
  • Demonstrate your ability to be collaborative. 
  • Maximum of 500 words (yes, we said it again)

All qualifying applicants will receive FREE Screenwriting Craft and Industry Resources focused on crafting strong fellowship applications. These will be distributed on October 4th, 2024.  


Top 25 Semifinalists Announced: October 4th, 2024

All 25 Semifinalists will:

  • Be required to submit an original, complete script (feature or TV pilot) by October 28th, 2024 at 12:00pm PST in order to be considered for the Fellowship prize.     
  • Receive 2 optional Q&A Strategy Sessions with Executive, James Moorer.
    • Session 1 - October 13th, 2024: Writers will discuss what they learned from the resources provided.
    • As an optional service, up to 10 of the Semifinalists can submit the first 15  pages of their script for verbal feedback ($25) during the 2nd session. These writers should submit the script they are planning to provide as Part 2 of their Fellowship application. With only 10 spots available, they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants who choose not to submit for the First 15 with James will in no way be penalized during the Fellowship application review process. The intention is only to provide support in strengthening opening pages but is in no way required. 
    • Session 2 - October 19th, 2024:  James will give verbal feedback to the 10 writers who submitted their first 15 pages, but all Semifinalists are encouraged to attend to learn from the feedback and insight. 

Finalists Announced: November 18th, 2024

Up to 5 Finalists will be invited to participate in a 30-minute interview with the RoadCrew.

Grand Prize Winner & Runner-Up Announced: December 20th, 2024

The Grand Prize Winner will receive CWP Steps 1-4, while one Runner-Up will be awarded CWP Step 1: Pitch Prep! 

Fellowship Program Begins: December 29th, 2024

The Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up will begin the January Career Writer Program (CWP) Step 1: Pitch Prep Program.

When January's Pitch Prep Schedule is posted (will update here), please review it to ensure your availability to participate in the program should you be chosen as the Winner or Runner-Up.

*schedule subject to change*

In Loving Memory


The lack of diversity and representation in Hollywood has been at the forefront of the national conversation for a while now. At Roadmap, we want to do our part to help bring more diversity to the big screen (and the small)! For us, that starts with the screenwriters.

That's why we are proud to host the Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Fellowship!

We launched this tribute in 2016 in memory of Roadmap Writer Coletta Preacely-Garcia, whose budding career was cut short when she passed suddenly shortly after Roadmap's launch. Coletta was an extremely hardworking screenwriter who was always working to better her craft—tirelessly writing, rewriting, and taking advantage of every opportunity presented to her to gain skills, make connections, and polish her screenplays.

This tribute highlights diverse writers who embody this same spirit.

"If I can evoke love, hate or make you wish you had the courage of a character in my story, then I’ve done my job as a writer." 
– Coletta Preacely-Garcia, Screenwriter

 

View our complete Fellowship rules and guidelines.

 

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be part of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women over 45, or Disabled communities.
  • While 25 Semifinalists will be submitting only one original feature or pilot as Part 2 of their Fellowship application, the applicant's portfolio must have at least 2 completed and polished original scripts (features and/or pilots), with at least a 3rd original script drafted by the beginning of CWP Step 4. If a writer does not have at least 3 completed original scripts in their portfolio by Step 4, they will not be eligible to apply for Top Tier, which is Roadmap's most vetted group of exec-ready writers where most signings take place.   
  • Must have earned less than $25k as a screenwriter. 
  • Must not have already completed any step of the Career Writer Program. 
  • Must have fewer than 3 produced feature film or TV credits that aired or had distribution. 
  • Must not currently have a literary manager or agent. Writers who have been previously repped are still eligible.
  • Must be able to actively participate in CWP Steps 1-4 back to back throughout the 4 months. Special permission would need to be requested for a one-time, one-month delay between two steps in order to retain the Diversity Fellowship prize without reapplying. If a prize winner does not attend or come prepared to participate in the supermajority of sessions for any given CWP Step, their prize will be canceled. The writer would then have to resubmit as part of a future applicant pool in order to be considered to complete the Career Writer Program.

Roadmap Writers reserves the right not to pick a winner and/or a runner-up from a given applicant pool if we don't find a candidate whose writing and interview skills are ready for the Career Writer Program. Deadlines and announcement dates are subject to change. 

Signing & Staffing Success


Past winners of our previous diversity initiative have been signed by Anonymous Content, Rosa Entertainment, APA, First Story Entertainment, Untitled Entertainment, Fictional Entity, The Buchwald Agency, and more! Our December 2020 winner Lillian Wang recently staffed on a Netflix show!

"As I complete the final weeks of my Diversity Initiative Fellowship, I wanted to express my appreciation for the experience here that each of you made possible. Roadmap is indeed THE place to cultivate community, craft, and opportunity. As someone who struggles with low self-esteem, anxiety, and everything that comes with trauma, every step from Pitch Prep to Manager Track has helped build confidence in myself as an artist and a business. Thank you for your time, talent, hard work, and support during the last four months."

– Bernadett Belinda York, 2023 Diversity Fellowship Winner

Past Diversity Initiative/Tribute Winners

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Matias Headshot

Marisa Martinez-Marquez


Winner, May 2024

BIO

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May 2024 RunnerUp

Josiah Brown


Runner Up, May 2024
BIO

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Stephanie Bast

Stephanie Bast


Winner, December 2023

BIO

 

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Jeremy Lloyd-Styles

Jeremy Lloyd-Styles


Runner-Up, December 2023

BIO

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Kareema

Kareema Bee


Winner, August 2023

BIO

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Leon Masters

Leon Masters


Runner-Up, August 2023

BIO

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Dennis Gonzalez

Dennis Gonzalez


Winner, May 2023

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A.P. de la Caridad

A.P. de la Caridad


Runner-Up, May 2023

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Bernadett Headshot

Bernadett Belinda York


January 2023

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Amanda Headshot

Amanda Eberhardt


January 2023

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Coradata McCloud Headshot

Coradata McCloud


December 2022

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Brit Cowan Headshot

Brit Cowan


December 2022

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Tiffani

Tiffani Davis


November 2022

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Irene Hernandez & Kelsey McConnell


November 2022

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Mark Heath Howard Headshot 240 x 240.png

Mark Heath Howard


November 2022

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Harrison Hamm Headshot

Harrison Hamm


October 2022


*Signed with Industry Entertainment*

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Headshot

Ahyoka Saas


September 2022

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Feyza Headshot

Feyza Safoglu


August 2022

Meemee Taylor


July 2022

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June Winner

Kyle Sosa Frederick


June 2022

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DI Competition Winner: Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Jordan Smith


May 2022

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April DI Winner

Toyi Ward


April 2022

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February DI Winner

Alejandra Gracia


February 2022

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Bryce Marrerro Headshot

Larry Coleman


January 2022

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Robert A. Douglas Headshot

Robert A.


December 2021

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Sierra Sanborn 240x240

Sierra Sanborn


November 2021

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Blaine Ross

Blaine Ross


October 2021

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Larry Collins

Larry Collins


September 2021

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Kathryn Orwig

Kathryn Orwig


August 2021

 

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Helen Fernandez

Helen Fernandez


July 2021

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Latasha Mercer

Latasha Mercer


June 2021

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Vanita Borwankar

Vanita Borwankar


May 2021

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Jason Coombs - April 2021

Jason Coombs


April 2021

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Ashley V. Hudson - March 2021 *signed with Circle of Confusion

Ashley V. Hudson


March 2021 (Co-winner)


*Signed with Circle of Confusion*

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Candace Patrick - March 2021

Candace Patrick


March 2021 (Co-winner)

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John Lowe - February 2021

John Lowe


February 2021


Signed with The Buchwald Agency

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Lore V. Olivera - January 2021

Lore V. Olivera


January 2021

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Lyric Fergusson - December 2020

Lyric Fergusson


December 2020

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Lillian Wang

Lillian Wang


November 2020


*Signed with Rosa Entertainment*
*Staffed on Netflix & Amazon shows*

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Tarik Woodbine

Tarik Woodbine


October 2020


Signed by Range Media

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Quinton Stroud

Quinton Stroud


September 2020

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Jennifer Irons

Jennifer Irons


August 2020

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Kayona Ebony Brown

Kayona Ebony Brown


July 2020


*Signed with Anonymous Content*
*Hired to write two featurettes for CBS & nominated for a Sports Emmy*

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Eljohn Macaranas

Eljohn Macaranas


May 2020

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Lori Beth Crawford

Lori Beth Crawford


April 2020

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Lenna Murisier

Lenna Murisier


March 2020


*Signed by Untitled Entertainment*

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Amena Kheshtchin-Kamel

Amena Kheshtchin-Kamel


February 2020 (Co-winner)


*Signed with 3 Arts Entertainment*

*Signed with Seth Nagel Management*
*Signed with The Seymour Agency (from Roadmap Authors)*
*Landed two writing assignments with the producer of Netflix's RATCHED*

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Chloe Samantha-Rose Owens

Chloe Samantha-Rose Owens


February 2020 (Co-winner)

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Krystal Foster

Krystal Foster


January 2020

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Erica Land

Erica Land


December 2019


*Signed with Recon Literary*

*Feature Produced by Lifetime*

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Monisha Dadlani

Monisha Dadlani


November 2019

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Christina Jun

Christina Jun


October 2019

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Ashlei Hardenburg-Cartagena

Ashlei Hardenburg-Cartagena


September 2019


*Signed with First Story Entertainment*

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Craig Winstead

Craig Winstead


August 2019

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Katie Wadsworth

Katie Wadsworth


June 2019

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Vanar Jaddou

Vanar Jaddou


May 2019

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Jessica Burnett

Jessica Burnett


April 2019

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Aimiende Negbenebor Sela

Aimiende Negbenebor Sela


March 2019 (Co-winner)

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D.K. Uzuokwu

D.K. Uzuokwu


March 2019 (Co-winner)

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Shawn Parikh

Shawn Parikh


February 2019


*Signed with Klasco Entertainment*

*He then won the NBCUniversal Writers on the Verge Fellowship*

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Ijaaz Noohu

Ijaaz Noohu


December 2018


*Signed with APA*

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Monique Madrid

Monique Madrid


November 2018

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Amy Wang

Amy Wang


October 2018

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Jaclyn Chan *Signed with The Cartel*

Jaclyn Chan

*Signed with The Cartel*


August 2018

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James Moorer

James Moorer


July 2018


*Signed with KDX Entertainment*

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Harker Jones

Harker Jones


June 2018

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Felicia Felton

Felicia Felton


May 2018

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Juan Francisco De La Guardia

Juan Francisco De La Guardia


April 2018

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Brian O'Donnell

Brian O'Donnell


March 2018

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Ziyad Saadi

Ziyad Saadi


February 2018


*Signed with Fictional Entity*

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Larry Coleman

Larry Coleman


January 2018

The Roadmap Promise

Roadmap Writers prides itself on the quality of executives we bring to our programs and we work hard to get you the best feedback possible.

Our vetted executives are chosen by the legitimacy of the companies they work for and their ability to evaluate pitches and pages.

Only the executives you sign up for will be provided with your materials.