Do you have the next great horror or thriller feature?
Whether it's psychological horror, elevated horror, supernatural terror, survival, creature features, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, we're looking for bold, commercial feature screenplays that audiences won't be able to stop talking about.
Projects From Longevity Pictures
How It Works:
Longevity Pictures and Roadmap Writers have partnered to discover the next generation of horror and thriller feature writers.
We're looking for unforgettable concepts with strong commercial potential and distinctive voices. One winning screenplay will receive a $2,500 option agreement with Longevity Pictures, with the goal of further developing the project toward production. The winning writer will also build a direct relationship with the Longevity Pictures team throughout the development process.
Competition Details:
- Competition opens from June 29, 2026 through August 30, 2026.
- Open to original horror and thriller feature screenplays including but not limited to: Elevated Horror, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural Horror, Crime Thriller, Survival Thriller, Folk Horror, Contained Horror, Monster & Creature Features, High-Concept Commercial Horror, Prestige Genre Films.
- Screenplays should be between 80-120 pages.
- Multiple submissions are welcome; each requires a separate entry fee.
- All submissions are final.
- 10 Semifinalists will participate in a virtual interview with Roadmap Writers.
- 5 Finalists will meet with the Longevity Pictures team.
- 1 Winner will receive: A $2,500 option agreement Development consideration with Longevity Pictures and industry mentorship throughout early development.
Please note: The winning writer may not remain the sole writer on the project throughout development.
Pricing & Deadline:
Submission Opens: June 30th, 2026
Early Deadline: July 31st, 2026 | $35
Final Deadline: August 30th, 2026 | $45
Deadline is 11:59 pm PT
Add Feedback Notes | +$55
Receive a one-page written analysis of your script.
* Feedback is returned within 6-8 weeks from the Finalist announcement.
Winner Announcements:
Semifinalists | September 20th, 2026
Interviews | September 21st, 2026 - September 26th, 2026
Finalists | October 2nd, 2026
Grand Prize Winner I October 31st, 2026
*dates are subject to change*
About
ROADMAP WRITERS
Founded by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley in 2016, Roadmap is an L.A.-based screenwriting education and training platform that is dedicated to writers seeking a guided path to professional success in film and TV. Led by working executives, managers, agents, producers, writers, and other industry professionals, their classes take place exclusively online and are designed to empower writers to elevate their craft while expanding their network. Roadmap has helped over 500 writers sign with representation to date, while guiding some directly toward work in the industry. Writers signed through the program to the likes of Kaplan/Perrone, Echo Lake, Good Fear, Anonymous Content, 3 Arts, Artists First, Industry Entertainment, Fourth Wall Management, and CAA, with some going on to staff on shows like GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES (Paramount+), REACHER (Amazon), FUBAR (Netflix), THE FLASH (CW), WE WERE LIARS (Amazon), and THE RESIDENT (Fox).
LONGEVITY PICTURES
Longevity Pictures is an international production company founded in 2023 by producer and entrepreneur Majd Nassif. Operating between Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi, Longevity Pictures is built on a passion for bold storytelling, crafting distinctive genre films that champion original voices, immersive worlds, and deliver high-concept ideas that resonate with global audiences.
The company's debut feature Locked, a thriller starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins and directed by David Yarovesky, was released worldwide in 2025. Nassif and Longevity also recently produced Mercy alongside co-producer Charles Roven. The film, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson and directed by Timur Bekmambetov, debuted at #1 at the box office and was the highest-trending film on Amazon Prime worldwide in March 2026.
Longevity Pictures is currently in post-production on Six Till Midnight, a horror feature directed by Andrew Donoho and starring Sasha Lane and Bella Poarch.
Judging:
Rodmap Writers will review all feature scripts.
The highest-scoring screenplays will advance to Longevity Pictures for final consideration.
Rules:
Scoring
Submissions will be judged by independent industry experts based on the following criteria. The below explanations of each criterion is by no means an exhaustive list, but just an example of some of the questions readers and judges consider in each category. Some criteria may not pertain to all genres/sub-genres.
Premise/Concept
Is it unique/original? Is it a new spin on a familiar story? Does it include a unique perspective from its protagonist? 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?
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? Is the story timely? Does it touch on things that are part of the zeitgeist?
Structure
Does the story have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Is it clear where the main plot turns are?
Voice/Style
Does the writer use interesting word choice and sentence structure? Do they have a unique way to view and relay what’s happening in the story? Does the writer present/have a unique perspective?
Marketability
Is this a project which meets today's market demands?
Why Should I Enter?
Roadmap Writers has helped over 500 writers and authors get signed, staffed, optioned, hired, and produced. We are excited to bring that same focus on finding vetting talent for this competition.
The horror and thriller genres continue to be among the most commercially successful in film, driven by original concepts and distinctive voices.
The Dark Roads Horror & Thriller Feature Competition is designed to connect exceptional writers directly with an active production company seeking its next feature project. Beyond the $2,500 option agreement, the competition offers finalists the opportunity to build relationships with industry professionals actively looking for commercially viable genre material.
What Do I Submit?
To enter The Dark Roads Horror & Thriller Feature Competition, please submit the following:
- Original horror or thriller feature screenplay (PDF)
- Screenplays should be 80-120 pages.
- Must be written in standard industry screenplay format.
- Logline: One to two sentences that clearly communicate the central premise of your screenplay.
- Writer Bio: A brief professional bio (approximately 100-500 words).
Eligibility
- Original, unproduced feature screenplays only.
- Horror and thriller features, or projects that blend both genres.
- Co-written projects are accepted, but all writers must be credited in the submission.
- Writers may submit multiple screenplays; each requires a separate entry.