The Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Initiative Competition

Diversity Initiative Winner: December 2022

Image

Amanda Eberhardt

Amanda, also known as Ace, is a nonbinary and neurodivergent writer whose passion lies in telling immersive, emotive, and inclusive stories, especially dramas featuring strong central femme and queer characters. They firmly believe there is a unique joy to existing across borders, boxes, and binaries and strive to share that glorious liminality through their stories which expose long-forgotten and purposefully erased narratives.

They have attended writing programs at the University of Cambridge, Arcadia University London, UCLA, and Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts. In 2016, Amanda graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Writing for Film and Television from Emerson College. Their work has placed in Final Draft’s Big Break Competition, ScreenCraft, WeScreenplay, the Austin Film Festival, and the Stowe Story Labs. They currently work as a Writer’s Assistant to Eric Kaplan (YOUNG SHELDON) and as a Writer for WEBTOON. When not writing scripts, Amanda is working on hiking all the US National Parks with their black Labrador, Loki, and writing their first fantasy novel, based on their Czech heritage and Slavic folklore. 

Diversity Initiative Winner: December 2022

Image

Bernadett Belinda York

Bernadett Belinda York is a diverse storyteller specializing in complex female narratives, LGBTQ+ representation, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Raised in Chicago, she now resides in Los Angeles and is an award-winning screenwriter, actor, producer, certified script reader, singer-songwriter, author, animal advocate, blissful bride, ardent Stevie Nicks fan, and self-proclaimed "Warrior Princess."

She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA, ISA Connect, Film Independent, Stowe Story Labs and has several projects registered with the WGA.

 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 that includes your diverse background, highlights your ability to craft a good story, focuses on your screenwriting goals, and demonstrates your ability to be collaborative. In other words, tell us why you would be a valuable and hardworking member of the Career Writer Program!
2. A scripted writing sample (feature or TV pilot). Please include your logline, format, and intended audience/home.

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.