11th Annual Feature Comedy Screenwriting Contest

SEASON 11 OF THE FEATURE COMEDY CONTEST IS OPEN!

Accepting Feature Film Scripts ONLY!

The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will be set up on meetings with producers and executives behind comedy hits: SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, RUSSIAN DOLL, ON A STRING, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM STANDING UP FALLING DOWN, PLAN B, and MORE!

PLUS - ALL Top 10 Finalists set up on general meetings with industry execs!

Last year's winner Ted Sperling signed a shopping agreement with Pathfinder Media on his winning script, TREASURE INC. Todd Biermann (IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY, MYTHIC QUEST) is attached to direct.

"In a time when it seems very difficult to get good reads from execs and producers, Stage 32 is an incredible resource for writers who want to make a breakthrough on a piece of work they truly believe in."

- Ted Sperling, Stage 32 x Pathfinder Media Film & TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest Winner

Your Comedy Script Could Be Next

You've built the world. You've written the script. Now let's get it into the right hands.

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT NOW

Stage 32's Feature Comedy Screenwriting Contest - the longest-running comedy screenwriting contest in the world - has connected writers like you with the producers, managers, and executives actively developing the next generation of comedy storytelling. This isn't about winning a trophy and going home. It's about opening the door to your career.

This Is Where Careers Launch

The Stage 32 Difference: Everyone hands out trophies. We do something different - we go to work for you. Over 15 years, Stage 32 contests have helped writers get representation, get optioned, get staffed, and get produced. Your win doesn't end with an announcement; it starts there.

Recent Stage 32 winners have signed with major agencies like UTA, WME, CAA, IAG, Verve, Gersh, Zero Gravity, 42MP, Evoke and 3 Arts, been hired into writers' rooms, and seen their scripts produced by Lionsgate and beyond. When you win with us, we roll up our sleeves and help you take your project to market.

What You'll Win

As our Grand Prize Winner, you'll be set up on meetings with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, RUSSIAN DOLL, the festival darling ON A STRING, PLAN B, STANDING UP FALLING DOWN and literary managers from Expectation Management and Epigram Entertainment! You will receive a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $4,000 - including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and a full education package. You'll get 1:1 career development sessions with our success team, an industry marketing campaign putting your work in front of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives along with rolling submissions to execs for a year, and dedicated support to prepare your script to take directly to market.

And it doesn't stop at the top.

ALL FINALISTS get set up on General Meetings and get their loglines sent out to over 2,500+ industry executives.

ALL Semi-Finalists & Quarterfinalists also receive prize packages filled with screenwriting education and access to executives!

See all the details below!

Who’s Reading Your Script? Meet Your Contest Judges

When you make the Top 10, your script gets read by working producers and development executives — the people who actually make these shows and films:

• Colleen Labella, Vice President of Development for Leslye Headland's company, Shoot to Midnight (RUSSIAN DOLL, THE ACOLYTE (a STAR WARS series), SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE)
• Sarah J. Cornelius, Creative & Production Executive at Whitewater Films (SMALL ENGINE REPAIR, STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN, THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR)

Make the finals, and either of these execs can meet with you if your writing speaks to them. That's the kind of direct access Stage 32 is known for.

We're Looking for Your Story

Hilarious parodies. Scathing satires. Slapstick spoofs. Knee-slapping romps and buddy road trip adventures. Gags, pranks, antics, bits, jokes, one-liners, deadpan observations, all the things that make us howl with laughter. Whether you write dry humor, farces, dark comedy, black comedy, romantic comedy, abstract, surreal or absurdist comedy, if you have a feature comedy that needs to be told, the Feature Comedy contest wants to see it!

Want Script Coverage and the Ability to Submit a New Draft?

Want professional feedback on your script?

We offer discounted script coverage and the option to resubmit revised drafts. Our feedback options are designed to help you strengthen your story, sharpen your characters, and give your script the best possible chance to stand out.

You can even get coverage back in as little as 5 days! To see full details check the Terms & Conditions.

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT HERE

Mentorship Opportunities

Ready to get your logline in front of a top comedy executives? Choose the “add on prize mentorship” at checkout and your logline will be sent to our mentors, Brandon Tamburri, Val Mcleroy, and Mitchell Bendersky. They will review all loglines submitted and will choose one writer to mentor and have virtual development meetings on their script!

This unique opportunity is only available to those who chose “add on prize mentorship” at checkout:

Brandon Tamburri is the producer of the comedy feature film PLAN B starring Jamie Lee (HBO's Crashing), Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Tom Berenger (Platoon), Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), and Kate Flannery (The Office). Tamburri produced the film under his comedy venture, Joke Zero, which in 2026 released the festival darling dramedy film ON A STRING starring Isabel Hagen, Dylan Baker, and Eric Bogosian. 

Prior to Joke Zero, Tamburri directed and produced several projects for National Lampoon including the National Lampoon Radio Hour which was distributed by Roku.Though he specializes in comedy, he also served as an Associate Producer on A24's hit feature film HEREDITARY which premiered at Sundance in 2018 before going on to gross over $80M at the box office.

Previously Brandon was a Creative Executive at PalmStar Media, where he worked under Producer Jeff Frakes on films like THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, starring Paul Rudd; GLASS and SPLIT, directed by M Night Shymalan; JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2, starring Keanu Reeves; COLLATERAL, starring Will Smith, and auteur Wim Wenders' film SUBMERGENCE.

Val McLeroy is a literary Manager at Epigram. At Epigram Val has been partnered with Doug Draizin, whose films have grossed over $100 Million at the box office, in managing writers working on some of the top film and television. Epigram currently has writers working with Amazon, Netflix and Freemantle on projects such as REACHER, FUBAR, SCORPION, NCIS, and AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.

Prior to managing writers, she has been a development executive at several companies including Atlantic and Green/Epstein Productions (Growing Pains: The Movie, Malpractice, Above & Beyond). While at Green/Epstein she produced several TV movies, two of which she wrote (as V. R. McDade) for Lifetime: Spirit (starring Elisabeth Moss, Greg Evigan, Austin O'Brien) which was nominated for a Humanitas award and Heart of the Storm (Starring Tom Cavanagh, Melissa Gilbert).

Mitchell Bendersky is a Manager and Owner of Expectation Management, an entertainment company dedicated to representing and servicing the next generation of undeniable storytellers. His clients have worked on projects such as ACAPULCO (Apple), ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK (Nickelodeon), CALL ME KAT (FOX), THE CHI (Showtime), THE GORDITA CHRONICLES (Hulu/Max), HISTORY OF THE WORLD PT. 2 (Hulu), PHYSICAL (Apple), RIVERDALE (CW), Academy Award-winning film WAR IS OVER!, and many more.

Prior to his role as Manager/Owner, Mitchell served as a Manager at Gramercy Park Entertainment, an entertainment management company specializing in representing writers, directors, producers, and creatives working across all media. Mitchell began his career as the Television Coordinator at Marvel Entertainment.

This unique add-on benefit is separate from the Stage 32 Contest prizes and placements. Only projects submitted to the Stage 32 Contest AND that select this add-on are eligible for consideration in this category. Additionally, all projects that place in the Top 10 round of the competition will automatically be considered.

What Are You Waiting For? Submit Now!

Stage 32 has launched the careers of countless writers, helping them secure representation, land paid gigs, and see their scripts come to life. Could this be the year your career takes off? Our previous winners of this very contest have gone on to work with major studios, sign with top managers, and see their films produced.

Comedy stories are bigger and better than ever, and we’re here to make sure your script rises to the top. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be discovered—enter now and let us champion your story!

See Our Track Record of Past Winner Success Stories Below!

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: October 15th, 2026

Early Bird Deadline: November 18th, 2026

Regular Deadline: December 9th, 2026

Final Deadline: December 30th, 2026

Quarterfinalist Announcement: February 12th, 2027

Semifinalist Announcement: February 26th, 2027

Finalist Announcement: March 12th, 2027

Winner Announcement: March 26th, 2027

If you have any questions regarding this contest, check out frequently asked questions here.

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE PACKAGES INCLUDE:

WINNER: The Career Accelerator Package - $4,000 Value

VIP MENTORSHIP meetings with top industry pros, who have worked on projects like SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, RUSSIAN DOLL, ON A STRING, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, STANDING UP FALLING DOWN, PLAN B, and MORE!

• Script Development Package
  • Free detailed, comprehensive story notes on your script
  • Pitch deck development to help get your winning project market-ready for you to shop
  • Logline polish for your winning project

• Career Development Package
• Free Career Development Call with a top Executive of your choice!
• Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
• Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
• An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement

• Writer Branding Package
• A punch-up of your professional bio
• Headshot selection advice
• Portfolio guidance
• Portfolio branding tips
• Social media branding tools

• Education Package
• Free 1-year Writer’s Room Membership
• Stage 32 Webinar Library All-Access prize code (3,000+ hours of educational content)
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification

FINALISTS: The Career Momentum Package - $1,500 Value

• Career Development Package
• Free Career Development Call with a top Executive of your choice!
• Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
• Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
• An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement

• Writer Branding Workshop with an Executive
• A punch-up of your professional bio
• Headshot selection advice
• Logline polish for your finalist script

• Education Package
• Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
• 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

SEMIFINALISTS: The Career Breakthrough Package - $1,000 Value

• Education Package
• Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
• 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

QUARTERFINALISTS: The Career Elevation Package - $500 Value

• Education Package
  • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
  • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
  • 1 Free webinar code

ALL ENTRANTS - $100 value

• Education
  • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
  • 1 Free webinar code

In addition to all that, all writers receive continued support from the Stage 32 team, who work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

Our Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 15 years and emerged as the leading source for industry executives to uncover new talent! Is this your year to move the needle on your career?

Last year's winner, Ted Sperling who took home the Grand Prize with his winning script TREASURE, INC. signed a shopping agreement with Manager/Producer Mark Wheeler of Pathfinder Media, who attached his client and established director Todd Biermann (IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY, MYTHIC QUEST) to direct. After months of development, they are currently shopping the project to studios and financiers! 

Ted also met with execs from Elevate Entertainment, with whom he is still in touch on more projects in his portfolio!

Last year, eleven writers met with Mark Wheeler of Pathfinder Media!

• Finalist Andrew Clemes met with Producer Brandon Tamburri of Joke Zero (PLAN B, ON A STRING) after placing with his script WE HAVE HISTORY.
• Finalist Andrew Clemes also met with Literary Manager Evan Anglin of Zero Gravity Management after placing with his script WE HAVE HISTORY.
• Finalist Lissette Jean-Marie met with VP of Film & TV, Jordan Rubio of 3 Pas Studios (ACAPULCO) after placing with her script BOOK F*CKER.
• Finalist Barbie Ross met with Literary Manager Andrew Kersey of Kersey Management after placing with her script ROLE PLAY.
• Finalist Subhah Agarwal met with Literary Manager Spencer Robinson of Art/Work after placing with her script UNWELLNESS.
• Finalist Nicole Dimond met with Literary Manager Tamer Ahsan of Zero Gravity Management after placing with her script STRIDE.
• Finalist Lori Lee Peters met with Producer & Financier Todd Remis (UNDER THE SILVER LAKE) after placing with her script TWO FATES.
• Finalist Kelsey Ann Wacker met with Producer Carolyn Levine (HEELS) after placing with her script TWO FATES.

"In a time when it seems very difficult to get good reads from execs and producers, Stage 32 is an incredible resource for writers who want to make a breakthrough on a piece of work they truly believe in." - Winner Ted Sperling

"Stage32 was my first choice to work with. They provide an incredible amount of avenues leading to success, great communication, and honest." - Finalist Lori Lee Peters

"I'm blown away by the dedication and commitment Stage 32 has to up-and-coming writers and how hard their team works to connect projects to the right industry professionals. I'm so grateful to be part of this community and appreciate all of the tools they offer." - Finalist Barbie Ross

Our 9th Annual Comedy Feature Screenwriting winner, screenwriter Brian Pracht gained massive traction on her winning script EON, as she took a full slate of meetings with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Hartbeat, CEL Films, Shoot to Midnight, Organically Grown Productions, Mighty Engine, American High, Kersey Management and more -- all looking for comedy stories!

Previous winners, the mother-daughter writing team of Kelly & Megan Anelons won with their script BEST LAID PLANS and met with execs from Circle of Confusion, Suite 06, and two Emmy-nominated Producers!

Our 7th Annual Comedy Feature winners, Bobby & Rachel shares about their winning script JEW-ISH. Rachel and Bobby flew out to LA and met with industry professionals, where they met a producer with whom they're developing their script!

Our 5th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Jenny Rauch met with industry executives from Panay Films, Smart Entertainment, Whitewater Films, Verite Entertainment, and Zero Gravity Management, which boosted her career and helped get her in front of real decision makers.

In her own words: "Stage 32 have really continued to champion me and my writing, continuing to send my work around. A year ago, I was just a stay at home mom with dreams of writing, and now I feel like I'm barreling towards this career in the industry and I have Stage 32 to thank for it."

Our 1st Annual Winner Jeff Thompson went on to work in the writer's room of the popular TV series, The Goldbergs! Jeffrey rose to the ranks of Staff Writer and contributed to 22 episodes of the ABC sitcom!

Jeffrey's winning reaction:

Our 3rd Annual Feature Drama Winner Kelly Nugent tells you why you should enter!

Our 6th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Jeff Galante signed with a manager at Primary Wave, and he is currently working on a slate of feature films with producers. Jeff's gone on to create/produce TV pilots for NBC and A&E and has consulted on projects for Ron Howard, Chris Moore, and Warner Bros animation.

Our 5th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Eric Jeske signed with a manager at Heroes & Villans Entertainment.

Recent Winners Making Waves:

Film & TV Comedy Winner Ted Sperling signed a shopping agreement with Pathfinder Media on his winning script TREASURE INC!

Diversity Talent Accelerator Winner Micheal S. Camp signed a shopping agreement with Color Farm Media on his winning script THE PERFECT KISSER!

TV Comedy Winners Maxwell Gay & Tucker Flodman - Signed with Literary Agent Joe Fronk of IAG (setup by Stage 32) who got them hired as Staff Writers on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!

New Blood Winner Travis J. Opgenorth - Script optioned by Broken Time Entertainment and signed with Persistent Entertainment after Stage 32 introduced him to nearly a dozen industry pros.

New Blood Winners Tanya Klein & Jim Cirile - Script set up for production with $1.5M budget, Lucas Heyne attached to direct & Scoot McNairy set to star!

Diversity Springboard Winner Jeffrey Thompson - Staffed in the Writer's Room of THE GOLDBERGS

New Blood Winner Christina Pamies - Signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager Jake Wagner, then hired by StudioCanal to adapt BAGHEAD (now streaming on Shudder/AMC+).

New Blood Winner Kevin Bachar - Winning script became THE INHABITANT (2022), produced by Lionsgate and released on Hulu.

Career-Changing Representation:

• TV Drama Winner Katie McClung - Signed with literary manager Chloe Morris of 42 MP
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner Josh Miller - Signed with literary manager Tamer Ashan of Zero Gravity Management
• Rom Com Finalist Henry Sawyer-Foner - Signed with literary manager Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment
• Female Driven Winner Jimmy Miller - Signed with literary manager Marc Manus
• New Blood Winner Richard Doyle (Australia) - Signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield
• Drama Winner Jonathan Jordan - Signed by major agency Verve, script currently in production
• New Blood Winner Glenn Forbes - Secured representation with Infinity Management International
• Comedy Winner Diana Wright - Signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency
• New Blood Winners Alyssa & Griffin Devine - Signed with HG5 Entertainment
• Comedy Winner Greg Mania - Signed with Cohn/Torgan Management, published NPR Best Book of 2020
• New Blood Finalist Frank Ponce - Signed with 3 Arts Entertainment, script picked up by Atlas Entertainment, sold Evel Knievel series to USA Network

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:

More Contest Winners Jonathan Jordan and Greg Mania would love to tell you why you should enter!

Winner Jonathan Jordan was signed by major literary agency Verve, and worked on a script currently in production through them. He has also signed with a manager and is currently working on a new film.

Winner Greg Mania was signed by Cohn/Torgan Management, and has since published a memoir called Born To Be Public, which was named NPR’s Best Book of 2020.

Previous Contest Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!

She shares her advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"

"Stage 32 isn't about a quick win and a pat on the back. They're serious about opening doors." - Travis J. Opgenorth, Contest Winner

Click the "Success Stories" link here for even more testimonials from our past winners!

Sarah J. Cornelius (Judge) - Producer, Whitewater Films

Sarah J. Cornelius is a Producer at Whitewater Films in Los Angeles. Her mission is to produce film and TV that "buzz" in the marketplace and align with the cultural conversation. In her 9+years as Creative Executive and Producer at Whitewater Films(the production company owned by Oscar and Emmy-nominated Director and Producer Rick Rosenthal), Sarah has worked on such films as THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR, which released on AMC-owned horror streamer Shudder, SMALL ENGINE REPAIR starring Jon Bernthal and Shea Whigham, STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN starring Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz, and more. Her creative choices are influenced by her desire to empower women and marginalized communities, acknowledge good men, and remind people that humor and beauty are often found in the most unexpected places.

 

Whitewater has produced projects for Paramount Classics, The Orchard, Showtime, CNN Films, Netflix, IFC and Samuel Goldwyn Films. Whitewater’s numerous notable films have won Independent Spirit Awards, the Sundance Directing Award, a Primetime Emmy, and audience awards at Sundance, SXSW and Tribeca Film Festivals.

 

 

Brandon Tamburri (Mentor) - Founder, Director, Producer, Joke Zero

Brandon Tamburri is the producer of the comedy feature film PLAN B starring Jamie Lee (HBO's Crashing), Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Tom Berenger (Platoon), Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), and Kate Flannery (The Office). Tamburri produced the film under his comedy venture, Joke Zero, which in 2026 released the festival darling dramedy film ON A STRING starring Isabel Hagen, Dylan Baker, and Eric Bogosian.

Prior to Joke Zero, Tamburri directed and produced several projects for National Lampoon including the National Lampoon Radio Hour which was distributed by Roku.Though he specializes in comedy, he also served as an Associate Producer on A24's hit feature film HEREDITARY which premiered at Sundance in 2018 before going on to gross over $80M at the box office.

Previously Brandon was a Creative Executive at PalmStar Media, where he worked under Producer Jeff Frakes on films like THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, starring Paul Rudd; GLASS and SPLIT, directed by M Night Shymalan; JOHN WICK CHAPTER 2, starring Keanu Reeves; COLLATERAL, starring Will Smith, and auteur Wim Wenders' film SUBMERGENCE.O

Val McLeroy (Mentor) - Literary Manager & Producer, Epigram Entertainment

Val McLeroy is a literary Manager at Epigram. At Epigram Val has been partnered with Doug Draizin, whose films have grossed over $100 Million at the box office, in managing writers working on some of the top film and television. Epigram currently has writers working with Amazon, Netflix and Freemantle on projects such as REACHER, FUBAR, SCORPION, NCIS, and AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.

Prior to managing writers, she has been as a development executive at several companies including Atlantic and Green/Epstein Productions (Growing Pains: The Movie, Malpractice, Above & Beyond). While at Green/Epstein she produced several TV movies, two of which she wrote (as V. R. McDade) for Lifetime: Spirit (starring Elisabeth Moss, Greg Evigan, Austin O'Brien) which was nominated for a Humanitas award and Heart of the Storm (Starring Tom Cavanagh, Melissa Gilbert).

 

Mitchell Bendersky (Mentor) - Manager, Expectation Management

Mitchell Bendersky is a Manager and Owner of Expectation Management, an entertainment company dedicated to representing and servicing the next generation of undeniable storytellers. His clients have worked on projects such as ACAPULCO (Apple), ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK (Nickelodeon), CALL ME KAT (FOX), THE CHI (Showtime), THE GORDITA CHRONICLES (Hulu/Max), HISTORY OF THE WORLD PT. 2 (Hulu), PHYSICAL (Apple), RIVERDALE (CW), Academy Award-winning film WAR IS OVER!, and many more.

Prior to his role as Manager/Owner, Mitchell served as a Manager at Gramercy Park Entertainment, an entertainment management company specializing in representing writers, directors, producers, and creatives working across all media.

Mitchell began his career as the Television Coordinator at Marvel Entertainment.

Colleen Labella (Judge) - Vice President of Development & Production, Shoot to Midnight

Colleen Labella is the Vice Presiden of Development for Leslye Headland's company, Shoot to Midnight, which developed the Emmy award winning show, RUSSIAN DOLL for Netflix, and the recently released THE ACOLYTE (a STAR WARS series) for Disney+.

 

Colleen is also a producer on the Freeform show, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE. Her projects currently in development include "MILK FED" (based on the book of the same name), an untitled comedy series for FX, Catya McMullen's feature film GEORGIA MERTCHING IS DEAD and a number of other series under Headland's overall deal with 20th Century Fox.

 

Colleen has read hundreds of scripts over her career and sold projects to FX, Hulu, Freeform and Lucasfilm. Colleen also has a background in directing theatre and is particularly interested in queer and female-centric storytelling.

ENTRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Void where prohibited by law.

This Stage 32 Contest is an international contest. Must be 18 years or older to submit.

Entrant agrees to Stage32.com terms and conditions.

This Stage 32 Contest is not a game of chance. All material is read and reviewed by industry professionals.

All quarterfinalists, semi-finalists, finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays an Entrant can enter. The same screenplay cannot be submitted multiple times under different names. If so, you will be disqualified.

Entrant must not be an immediate family member or friend of any of the judges or their respective companies.

Entrant acknowledges that because of the judges' and mentors' position in the entertainment industry they receive numerous submissions of ideas, formats, stories, suggestions and the like and that many such submissions heretofore or hereafter received by them are similar to or identical to those developed by them or their employees or, if an agent, are otherwise available to them.

Entrant acknowledges that they will not be entitled to any compensation because of the use by judges or mentors of any such similar material.

Entrant acknowledges that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between Entrant and judges or mentors, and Entrant further acknowledges that no such relationships are established between Entrant and judges or mentors by reason of this contest entry.

Entrants must submit screenplays and payment online.

Entrants must upload their submission within 72 hours of entry purchase.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

No waivers are available for this contest.

SCREENPLAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Screenplays should be written in English and in standard industry format.

The rights to the Entrant’s screenplay should not have been previously optioned or sold.

The Entrant retains the rights to his or her screenplay at all times.

Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced.

The screenplay can be submitted with or without a title page and/or contact information.

After a screenplay is entered, no new drafts or corrected pages can be made by the Entrant unless it is confirmed in our records that the Entrant has paid for the "Resubmission" option.

Screenplay must be submitted as a PDF document.

Screenplay must be the original work of the Entrant and may not be based whole or in part on any fictional or non-fictional material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced for which the Entrant does not have rights. Neither Stage 32 nor its judges investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

Using our new Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. Updated drafts will need to be sent to contests@stage32.com to be scored.

Immediate Feedback & Resubmission Option

We offer the option to get immediate script coverage when you submit and the ability to re-submit a revised draft to the contest for $99.00. See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. With this option you will receive coverage/notes within 5-days from when you submit your script and you have up to 10 days after the final deadline to submit a new draft.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. See full terms in the Rules Section. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is January 9th, 2027. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

Discounted Coverage Option

We offer discounted script coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on February 12th, 2027. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Resubmission Option

We offer the option to resubmit a new draft of your script later in the contest for $39.00. You only have until 5 days after the Final Deadline to submit a new draft. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is January 4th, 2027. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

You cannot re-submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?

We're looking for bold, hilarious, inventive comedy features in the vein of:

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, SCARY MOVIE, THE DRAMA, THE INVITE, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES, FRIENDSHIP, ONE OF THEM DAYS, THE NAKED GUN, FREAKY FRIDAY, HAPPY GILMORE, THE ROSES, LITTLE BROTHER, 72 HOURS, I LOVE BOOSTERS, MILE END KICKS, GAIL DAUGHTRY & THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS, PIZZA MOVIE, POWER BALLAD, THE WRECKING CREW, MIKE & NICK & NICK & ALICE, THE MOMENT, IDIOTS, MY OLD ASS, ANYONE BUT YOU, BOTTOMS, JOY RIDE, NO HARD FEELINGS, PALM SPRINGS, GAME NIGHT, GIRLS TRIP, BRIDESMAIDS, SUPERBAD, SUPER TROOPERS

But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before!

For the last 15 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.

If you have an comedy story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!