7th Annual Comedy Feature Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! 

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Stage 32 is excited to launch the 7th Annual Comedy Feature Screenwriting Contest!

THE WINNER WILL BE PERSONALLY MENTORED BY

"STUBER" SCREENWRITER TRIPPER CLANCY

& "GET SMART" SCREENWRITER MATT EMBER! 

Audiences could all use a good laugh right about now! That is why some of the most popular films this year have been comedies, including Kevin Hart’s FATHERHOOD which hit #1 in over 80 countries on Netflix and FREE GUY which premiered at #1 in the US Box Office. Producers, film financiers, agents, and managers are looking for fresh, unique, and inventive Feature Comedy.

As audiences begin to return to movie theaters, everyone is hoping for the same thing: to leave feeling uplifted and with smiles on their faces. And what better escape than a theater filled with laughter? Films like FREE GUY have viewers rolling in the aisles. Streaming services are specializing in quirkier films like SHIVA BABY, AFTERLIFE OF THE PARTY and VACATION FRIENDS, to round out the exciting 2021 comedy scene.

Is your Feature Comedy ready for the most successful comedy screenwriters, producers, executives and managers in the business? Stage 32 is going to bring it straight to them.

Nowhere else do you find top judges and mentors like you do on Stage 32. The Grand Prize winner will be personally mentored by Feature Comedy writer Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and meet the Executive Producer behind FATHERHOOD, and executives at companies behind AMERICAN MADE with Tom Cruise, SIDEWAYS, THE INFORMANT!, THE FAMILY STONE, the screenwriter behind GET SMART, FAILURE TO LAUNCH, and THE WAR WITH GRANDPA, and many more!

Judges' Credits & Company Credits Include:

If you write Comedy this contest could launch your career! No matter if you write Broad Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Family Comedy, Action Comedy, Horror Comedy, or any other subgenre, our judges want to see it!

Now - exclusively through Stage 32 - you have the opportunity to meet industry professionals from these prolific companies who will have read your script!

The Grand Prize winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet with:

Tripper Clancy, Screenwriter (STUBER)

Matt Ember, Screenwriter (GET SMART, FAILURE TO LAUNCH, THE WAR WITH GRANDPA)

Danyelle Foord, Executive (AMERICAN MADE with Tom Cruise)

Carli Haney, Executive Producer (FATHERHOOD)

Samantha Schoen, Creative Executive, Groundswell Productions (SIDEWAYS)

Shane Stanely, Producer (GRIDIRON GANG with Dwayne Johnson)

Grant Torre, Stampede Ventures (10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU)

Andrew Kersey, Kersey Management  (Client Credits Include VACATION FRIENDS)

Bring the hysterical moments, hilarious dialogue, and above all - your unique Comedic voice.

Comedies not only prove laughter is the best medicine, but they’re also uniquely suited to show viewers new perspectives and ideas. Be part of the next wave of brilliant, insightful comedy films - and let us help you get your voice heard!

ALL FINALISTS will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books are respected throughout the industry and have helped secure dozens meetings and which have led to writer success with companies like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Black Bear Pictures, Lit Entertainment and many, many more.

Over the last 8 years, Stage 32’s screenwriting contests have gained a reputation as one of the “most worthwhile screenwriting contests to change your career.” No other contest provides their winners and finalists with the same level of direct access to industry leading professionals who can take your career to the next level! Over the last 8 years, Stage 32 has become an incubator for finding talent and material across the globe.

Recent success stories to come out of Stage 32 include:

• Gwenn Joyaux won the grand prize in the 5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest for her film Tomorrow Island and was signed by Le'Ander Nicholson from Believeland Management.
• Ghana born, Montreal-based filmmaker Will Niava was one of the 5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest winners for his film Zoo. Producer Jason Resnick (Serenity, After, Destination Wedding) saw Will's film in the Stage 32 Short Film program and hired Will to work on co-directing a feature film. 
• Billion Dollar Production Company Mandalay Pictures optioned the script 99 Dreams Neon by Donnie Hobbie after Donnie connected with Creative Executive Will Raynor through Stage 32. 
• Writer Robert Levering's feature script, Discredited Citizen is now in development with John Goldwyn Productions ("Dexter", "Dopesick") after connecting through consultation at Stage 32. 
• Search for New Blood Winner Grand Prize Winner - Christina Pamies - was signed by Jake Wagner off of her winning script, A Good Deed! She was hired to write the Horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal!
• The Eye of Owou, written by Martin Reese, received a $5,000 option and with a consideration for $100,000 in production financing!
• Eric Jeske - was signed by literary managers Krista Sipp and Devon Byers of First Friday Entertainment after winning the 5th Annual Feature Writing Contest and taking meetings set by Stage 32!
• 10-31, a horror film that will be produced by renowned director Eli Roth, Roger Birnbaum and Orion Pictures,written by Stage 32 member Laurie Ashbourne is greenlit and starts shooting later this year.
• Chick Fight starring Malin Ackerman, Alec Baldwin and Bella Thorne written by Stage 32 member Joe Downey is in post-production and awaiting release!
• What Lies Ahead, written by Stage 32 member William Viglione, directed by Stage 32 member Rob Gardner, and packaged by Stage 32 script services executive Tiffany Boyle of Ramo Law was released in theaters in 2019.
• Vagic, a romantic comedy written by Stage 32 member Julie Ann Cross, received a $7,500 option and is being produced by legendary producer Amy Baer of Gidden Media Group.
• My Clone’s an A-Hole, a comedy written by Julie Ann Wight was offered a $5,000 option by National Lampoon.
• I'm Not Jack, a script written by Stage 32 member Jack Cusick, received a $7,500 option and is being developed by legendary producer Amy Baer of Gidden Media Group.
• Stage 32 member Diana Wright signed with The Cartel after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Jonathan Jordan signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Aaron Benjamin signed with Housefire Management.
• Stage 32 member Aaron Bierman signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Chris Torres signed with manager Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Greg Mania was signed by manager Laina Cohn of Cohn/Torgan Management after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!

This contest has produced some of the most sought after material from our finalists and winners. Requests for our finalists scripts have increased year over year and our winners have met face to face with a who’s who of working industry executives and gatekeepers!

Unprecedented access. Greater opportunities.

Better exposure. More reads.

Real success!

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

What Types Of Scripts Can I Enter?

We're looking for Comedy films of all genres, including Broad Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Family Comedy, Horror Comedy, Bromance, Action Comedy, and any other sub-genres you can think of!

Feature Length Screenplays:

All sub-genres of Comedy feature film screenplays are welcome. Please no series or shorts.

Feedback Option

For an additional fee of only $49 you can receive full coverage from our industry readers on your screenplay or teleplay. Just check "coverage" upon checkout. Coverage will be sent out after the winners are announced.

"I found Stage 32’s contest coverage far better than some other services I have used in the past, where I felt almost assaulted. Please thank him or her for a well-done job. It was my first try with Stage 32 but it will not be my last." - Bob C.

"Stage 32 contest coverage is even better than some of the industry coverage I received. Thank you for these invaluable notes!" - E. Robinson

"The insight from my coverage from the Stage 32 contest helped me improve my script's dimension exponentially. I had looked at the script so much that I can't believe I missed a major plot point. Thank you!!" - S. Persons

Resubmission Option

Do you think you will want to send an updated draft later in the competition? For an additional fee of only $39 you will be able to resubmit one (1) revised draft up to 24-hours after the Final Deadline of the Contest. 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 Grand Prize winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet with:

Shane Stanley, Producer (GRIDIRON, BREAK EVEN)

Tripper Clancy, Writer/Producer (STUBER, I AM NOT OK WITH THIS)

Danyelle Foord, VP of Development & Production, Big Cat Productions (CHAMPION, BACKPACKERS INC)

Matt Ember, Writer/Producer (FAILURE TO LAUNCH, GET SMART)

Sam Schoen, Groundswell Productions (THE INFORMANT!, TRUMBO, MILK)

Carli Haney, Executive Producer (#1 Hit film FATHERHOOD)

Grant Torre, Director of Development & Production, Stampede Ventures (GOING PLACES, AMERICAN SNIPER)

Andrew Kersey, Manager, Kersey Management (Client Credits Include VACATION FRIENDS)

Stage 32’s contests have gained a reputation as one of the “most worthwhile contests to change your career.” No other contest provides their winners and finalists with the same level of direct access to industry leading professionals who can take your career to the next level! Stage 32 has become an incubator for finding talent and material across the globe.

Tripper Clancy (Mentor) - Screenwriter, Stuber (FOX), I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix), Varsity Blues & Die Hart (Quibi)

Tripper is a screenwriter who dabbles in tv and film, comedy and drama. His credits include STUBER for 20^th Century Fox, I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS for Netflix, and two new shows for Quibi: DIE HART, an action-comedy starring Kevin Hart and John Travolta, as well as VARSITY BLUES, a modern day reimagining of the original movie. A graduate of Wake Forest undergrad and The University of Texas grad school, Tripper lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Maggie, and their daughters, Olive and Ruby.

Shane Stanley (Judge) - Producer and Director,

Multi Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Shane Stanley has worked in almost every capacity on and off the set with hit shows like ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT and SEINFELD and producing films like Sony Pictures’ GRIDIRON GANG a #1 box office hit starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. For three years, Shane was Vice President of Sheen/Michaels Entertainment where he produced several motion pictures starring Marlon Brando, Mira Sorvino, Thomas Hayden Church, Donald Sutherland, Marisa Tomei, Sean Penn, John Travolta, and Charlie and Martin Sheen. Shane continues to produce and direct independent films of all levels, including the action thriller BREAK EVEN and action comedy DOUBLE THREAT, currently in production. Shane recently released his book What You Don’t Learn In Film School, which covers filmmaking from concept to delivery and has already landed on required reading lists at several universities across the country.

Carli Haney (Judge) - Executive Producer, FATHERHOOD with Kevin Hart, Executive Producer, FATHERHOOD

Carli Haney is the Executive Producer of the Kevin Hart film FATHERHOOD which hit #1 in over 80 countries through Netflix.

 

Carli has worked in Film and TV development for the last eight years as a Creative Executive and Director of Development. Most recently, Carli ran feature and television development for Kevin Hart at Hartbeat Productions. There, she worked to develop feature projects including NIGHT SCHOOL with Kevin Hart, WHAT NOW?, and LET ME EXPLAIN, as well as the television comedy "DAVE" with Dave Burd.

 

Her next Kevin Hart feature is MONOPOLY, which was just announced, as well as the TV-movie, "ALL FANCY" for NBC.

 

In addition Carli has worked with A-list companies and industry-leading talent including Jennifer Lopez at Jennifer Lopez Enterprises and an A-list production and finance company with a deal at Warner Bros. She got her start in the industry at Tea Time Films.

Danyelle Foord (Judge) - Vice President Development & Production, Big Cat Productions

Danyelle Foord is establishing herself as a driving female force in the entertainment industry. She began her career working for Aaron Kaplan at Kapital Entertainment, where she helped develop numerous television shows, including "LIFE IN PIECES" for CBS, "SANTA CLARITA DIET" for Netflix and "DIVORCE" for HBO.

 

Danyelle then went on to work at Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment, where she worked on films such as LOWRIDERS, which opened the 2016 LA Film Festival, and AMERICAN MADE, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Doug Liman.

 

In 2017, she helped establish Big Cat Productions with founder Alexandre Dauman, and holds the title of Vice President of Development & Production. Danyelle developed and co-produced Big Cat’s first feature film, SUMMER ’03, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and was released theatrically by Blue Fox Entertainment in September 2018. Danyelle then went on to co-produce THE DOUGHERTY GANG which wrapped production in November 2018.

Matt Ember (Judge) - Writer/Producer,

Matt Ember is writer/producer who got his start writing for television in the 1990's. He wrote episodes for THE FAMILY MAN, STEP BY STEP, and HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS before turning to producing. He rose up the ranks of television producing on shows like THE WAYANS BROS, LUSH LIFE and THE DREW CAREY SHOW.

Matt returned to writing in the early 2000's, this time in comedy features. His first feature film, FAILURE TO LAUNCH, was a huge hit. The romantic comedy stars Matthew McConoughey and Sarah Jessica Parker, and is still a classic today. He followed it up with another smash, GET SMART, an action-comedy feature based on the classic television show. Stars Steve Carrell and Anne Hathaway made the film an instant success.

Next, he wrote two animated features, EPIC and HOME. Matt returned to producing television in 2019 with THE CONNERS, a spinoff of ROSEANNE. He currently has two more features in production.

Creative Executive (398) (Judge) - Creative Executive, A-List Production & Finance Company

This executive is the Creative Executive at a finance and production company whose credits include the Oscar-winning film, MILK along with critically and commercially successful films THE VISITOR, TRUMBO, WIN WIN, along with television series "THE MAGICIANS" and "THE ASTRONAUGHT WIVES CLUB"

She was previously an Acquisitions Executive at Gunpowder & Sky, which has acquired several high profile independently produced projects. Recent projects have been nominated, or won awards, at the Toronto International Film Festival, SXSW Festival, and AFI Fest, among many others.

She is dedicated to creating content with emerging and established talent that impacts pop culture conversations, by empowering creators to take risks in the pursuit of novel stories and formats.

She was formerly an exec at Warrior Poets, the production company of veteran filmmaker Jeremy Chilnick, that produced projects for companies including Roadside Attractions, Magnolia Pictures, and Sony Pictures Classics.

Prior to Warrior Poets, she was at the award-winning production company Scott Rudin Productions, and the production and finance company, Mad Riot Entertainment.

Grant Torre (Judge) - Director of Development & Production, Stampede Ventures

Grant Torre is the Director of Development & Production at Greg Silverman’s media company Stampede Ventures. Starting at the company as a founding employee, his responsibilities include working on development, packaging, and production across the company’s feature slate.

Greg Silverman is the former President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. Under Silverman, Warner Bros. Pictures had worldwide grosses of $3.7 billion in 2015, driven by such hits as AMERICAN SNIPER and MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.

Current projects include the in-production Netflix animated musical PRINCE OF PORT AU PRINCE, the Walter Cronkite biopic NEWSFLASH, the film adaptation of the video game DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION, and more.

Coming out next is GOING PLACES, a coming-of-age action comedy that Grant produced. Grant began his career in the CAA mailroom the company’s Motion Picture Literary Department.

Andrew Kersey (Judge & Mentor) - Manager, Kersey Management

Andrew Kersey is a Literary Manager and the head of Kersey Management. In fall 2021, his client's comedy VACATION FRIENDS starring John Cena and Lil Rel was Hulu's biggest 3-day weekend opener for an original in the streamers history. A sequel is being fast-tracked.

In 2023, Andrew sold his client's action comedy spec script NEVER TOO OLD TO DIE, to Amazon Studios with Sylvester Stallone attached to star and produce!

His incredibly talented clients are working on projects at all the major studios and streaming outlets including Netflix and Amazon, and the networks and cable channels ABC, Fox, NBC, CW, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon.

Andrew worked his way up through the industry, starting as a production company intern before working for the management and production powerhouse 3Arts Entertainment. He left 3Arts to get experience in development at a Universal production company, before starting his own management company, Kersey Management, in 2004. Kersey Management is a boutique literary management company that
nurtures unique storytelling voices in film and TV.