Roadmap Writers Reveals Winners of LGBTQ+ Pitch Fellowship

      Roadmap Writers has introduced Nikki Palumbo, Teresa Jusino, Kevin Wolfe, and Edwin Domachowski as the inaugural recipients of its new LGBTQ+ Pitch Fellowship, aimed at uplifting queer voices and linking queer storytellers with industry professionals. To secure their fellowships, these four individuals submitted a three-minute recorded pitch, a one-page personal essay, and the first 25 pages of their script. As a result, they will participate in virtual pitch roundtables later this month with queer executives from Amazon, ABC, Gersh, These Pictures, Circle Management, Buchwald Agency, and others.

      “In a time when audiences seek more authentic representation, queer creatives are delivering some of the most essential, emotionally genuine, and culturally significant perspectives within the entertainment industry,” Roadmap Writers stated in the fellowship announcement.

      “There remains a substantial need for narratives that transcend stereotypes and portray the complexity, joy, challenges, and humanity of LGBTQ+ experiences. By connecting writers with queer executives who recognize the value of genuine representation, Roadmap Writers aims to cultivate stronger creative collaborations and enhance the presence of inclusive storytelling on screen.”

      Founded ten years ago by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform based in Los Angeles, designed to provide writers with a structured pathway to success in film and television. It offers online classes taught by executives, managers, agents, producers, writers, and other industry professionals to aid writers in honing their skills and broadening their networks.

      The organization reports that it has helped over 500 writers secure representation to date, collaborating with firms such as Kaplan/Perrone, Echo Lake, Good Fear, Anonymous Content, 3 Arts, Artists First, Industry Entertainment, Fourth Wall Management, CAA, and more. Participants have gone on to work on projects including Paramount +’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Amazon’s Reacher and We Were Liars, Netflix’s Fubar, CW’s The Flash, and Fox’s The Resident.

      “This initiative underscores Roadmap Writers’ continuous dedication to supporting diverse voices and assisting emerging talent in breaking into the industry,” the organization noted. “The LGBTQ+ Pitch Fellowship is more than just a week of pitches; it’s about creating opportunities, fostering community, and helping queer creatives achieve visibility in a landscape where representation behind the scenes is as critical as on-screen representation. Through initiatives like this, Roadmap Writers aims to champion the next generation of LGBTQ+ storytellers and contribute to a more inclusive future for film and television.”