Do you have the next great proof of concept?
Whether it's a pulse-pounding thriller, terrifying horror, heartfelt drama, sharp comedy, or an unforgettable genre-bender, we're looking for exceptional short screenplays with the potential to become feature films. We want bold concepts, compelling characters, and stories that leave us wanting more long after the final page.
Projects From Halfway Crooks Entertainment
How It Works:
Halfway Crooks Entertainment and Roadmap Writers have partnered to discover the next great short screenplay with feature-film potential.
We're searching for exceptional proof-of-concept short scripts. We are looking for stories with unforgettable concepts, compelling characters, and a cinematic voice that leave us wanting more. One Grand Prize winner will receive $15,000 in production funding from Halfway Crooks Entertainment to produce their proof-of-concept short film. The production budget is intended to fully fund projects that can be realistically produced within that amount. As part of the judging process, Halfway Crooks Entertainment will consider each screenplay's production feasibility within the available budget.
Following production, Halfway Crooks Entertainment will work with the winner to submit the completed proof-of-concept short to film festivals and use it as a calling card when presenting the project to financing partners, producers, distributors, and studio contacts in an effort to secure feature-film financing and development. While feature development is not guaranteed, the goal of the initiative is to give exceptional stories the strongest possible path toward becoming feature films.
More than just a competition, this is an opportunity to begin a creative partnership with a production company committed to developing bold new storytellers.
Competition opens from August 3rd, 2026, through October 30th, 2026.
Eligible Projects:
Open to original short screenplays in all genres.
While Halfway Crooks Entertainment has a particular interest in thrillers and horror, they welcome outstanding stories across every genre, including but not limited to: Thriller, Horror, Drama, Comedy, Science Fiction, Action, Romance, Family, Genre-Bending Stories.
The strongest submissions will demonstrate clear potential to expand into a compelling feature film.
Submission Requirements:
- Short screenplays should be approximately 5-20 pages.
- Multiple submissions are welcome; each requires a separate entry fee.
- All submissions must be original work.
- All submissions are final.
Selection Process:
Top 10 Semifinalists
The Top 10 writers will participate in a virtual 30-minute interview with Roadmap Writers and Halway Crooks Entertainment to discuss their screenplay, creative vision, and the project's potential as a feature film.
One Grand Prize Winner
The winning writer will receive:
- $15,000 in production funding from Halfway Crooks Entertainment to produce the proof-of-concept short film.
- Collaboration with the Halfway Crooks team throughout production to develop and produce the short film.
- A festival strategy for the completed short film.
- Industry outreach by Halfway Crooks Entertainment to financing partners and studio contacts to explore opportunities for feature-film development.
- Roadmap Writers will provide marketing to Managers or Agents if the creative does not already have representation.
Important note: While Halfway Crooks Entertainment intends to use the completed proof of concept to pursue feature-film financing and development opportunities, production of the short film does not guarantee that a feature film will be financed, developed, or produced. Any future feature development remains at the sole discretion of Halfway Crooks Entertainment and will be subject to separate agreements.
Pricing & Deadline:
Submission Opens: August 3rd, 2026
Early Deadline: August 28th, 2026 | $45
Standard Deadline: September 25th, 2026 | $55
Final Deadline: October 30th, 2026 | $65
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:
Quarterfinalists | November 30th, 2026
Semifinalists | December 28th, 2026
Interviews | January 4th, 2026 - Janurary 9th, 2027
Grand Prize Winner I February 12th, 2027
*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).
HALFWAY CROOKS ENTERTAINMENT
Halfway Crooks Entertainment is a fast-rising Los Angeles-based production company creating bold, character-driven film, television, and branded content.
The company has developed original television projects with ABC Studios and CBS Studios, while its films have premiered at festivals including Raindance, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Deauville American Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, Heartland International Film Festival, and Dances With Films. Halfway Crooks currently has four short films and two features on the festival circuit, with previous productions available on Paramount+, Showtime, BET, and HBO Max.
Its commercial division has produced campaigns for major clients including Bose, LinkedIn, Emirates Airline, and Spectrum. Across every platform, Halfway Crooks champions distinctive voices, ambitious storytelling, and projects that refuse to play it safe..
Judging:
Rodmap Writers will review all short proof-of-concept scripts.
The highest-scoring screenplays will advance to Halfway Crooks Entertainment 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?
A great short film can change a career.
Some of today's most celebrated feature films began as proof-of-concept shorts that captured the attention of producers, financiers, and audiences alike. Halfway Crooks Entertainment X Roadmap Writers' Proof of Concept Challenge (2026) was created to help writers take that crucial first step.
Roadmap Writers has helped more than 500 writers and authors get signed, staffed, optioned, hired, and produced. Now, in partnership with Halfway Crooks Entertainment, we're looking for one exceptional short screenplay with the potential to become something much bigger.
The winning writer will receive $15,000 in production funding to create their proof-of-concept short film and begin building a creative relationship with Halfway Crooks Entertainment. Finalists will also gain valuable exposure to industry professionals looking for distinctive voices and cinematic stories with feature-film potential.
What Do I Submit?
For the Halfway Crooks Entertainment x Roadmap Writers Proof of Concept Challenge (2026), please submit the following:
Original Short Screenplay (PDF):
- Original short screenplay in any genre. While Halfway Crooks Entertainment has a particular interest in thrillers and horror, exceptional stories across all genres are welcome.
- Screenplays should be 5-20 pages. Projects should demonstrate clear feature-film potential and be written in standard industry screenplay format.
- A completed feature screenplay version of the short proof of concept script is NOT required at the time of submission.
- Writers who have already developed a feature-length version of their proof-of-concept project are welcome to mention it during the competition process. For projects selected as the winner that do not yet have a feature screenplay, Halfway Crooks Entertainment may collaborate with the writer to develop the feature alongside production of the proof-of-concept short film.
Logline:
- A one- to two-sentence logline that clearly communicates the central premise of your story.
Writer Bio:
- A brief professional biography (approximately 100-500 words) highlighting your writing background, accomplishments, or creative journey.
Eligibility
The Halfway Crooks Entertainment x Roadmap Writers Proof of Concept Challenge (2026) is open to writers with original short screenplays that have the potential to become feature films.
To be eligible:
- Your screenplay must be an original, unproduced short screenplay.
- Your screenplay should be one that can be successfully produced as a proof-of-concept short film within a production budget of approximately $15,000.
- Projects in all genres are welcome. Halfway Crooks Entertainment is especially interested in thrillers and horror, but exceptional stories of any kind will be considered.
- Your screenplay should be written in standard industry screenplay format and demonstrate clear feature-film potential.
- Co-written submissions are accepted, provided all writers are credited.
- Multiple submissions are welcome; each screenplay must be submitted separately.