Diversity Initiative Competition

 September 2022 Diversity Initiative Winner!

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Ahyoka Saas

Harold Ramis Film School alum Ahyoka Saas is a Two-Spirit comedian known for writing, directing, and producing five hour-long sketch revues at The Second City Chicago. Their short film credits include writer/producer of Over It (2020) and writer/producer/director of Close To You (2021). Ahyoka’s self-published book, Koalas & Other Funny Short Stories, is now available in Chicago bookstores and online.

Roadmap's monthly Diversity Initiative Competition is always free to enter.

Each month, Roadmap Writers selects ONE diverse screenwriter to participate in the Pitch Prep Program (Step 1 of our immersive Career Writer Program) for FREE!

Also, each month the (1)Winner and (1) Runner-Up will receive a certificate for a free copy of Final Draft courtesy of our friends at Final Draft!

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Our prize partner Hammer Jaxx Films will also select one diverse screenwriter to participate in Roadmap's month-long On-Ramp program for free!

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 How to Enter

Opens: the 15th of every month

Deadline: the 3rd of the following month

Entry fee: FREE

To apply for this tribute, please submit the following in PDF format:

1. A one-page statement highlighting your diverse background and why you would be a valuable and hardworking member of the Career Writer Program.
2. A scripted writing sample (feature or TV pilot).

Roadmap truly wants the winning recipient to get the most out of the program. For that reason, winners are expected to attend each session and complete all assignments to the fullest of their ability. Writers who fail to complete any assignment or attend any of the classes during the first two weeks of the program will forfeit their spot for the remainder of the program.

View our complete rules and guidelines here.

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 sponsor the Roadmap Writers Diversity Initiative Competition!

We launched this tribute in memory of Roadmap Writer Coletta Preacely-Garcia, whose budding career was cut short when she passed suddenly shortly after Roadmap's launch in 2016. 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 that embody this same spirit.