3rd Annual Feature Drama Writing Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WINNER

Stage 32 is thrilled to present the 3rd Annual Feature Drama Contest!

This year’s Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet one-on-one with our judging and mentoring panel whose credits include the Oscar-winning THE REVENANT, GIRL, INTERRUPTED, THE CIRCLE, WALK THE LINE, 3:10 TO YUMA, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION, TETRIS for Apple+ and more!

ALL Finalists will receive exposure to our incredible panel of judges and have their titles and loglines featured in the Stage 32's Industry LookBook, which is sent to over 500 executives and professionals who work directly with Stage 32! Previous Stage 32 contest finalists have had their projects optioned and been signed for representation as a result of our industry lookbooks!

Dramas have the power to capture the imagination, ignite passion, and change perspectives. It’s the genre that has always moved filmmaking forward, and made our industry so exciting.

New drama features like THE GREEN KNIGHT and NO TIME TO DIE are already making splashes at the box office, and audiences are excited for upcoming films like THE FRENCH DISPATCH, DUNE and NIGHTMARE ALLEY. This year, we’re looking for screenwriters with the potential to bring something new to the industry, and excite our judges.We can't wait to see what you have in store for our judges. Don't miss this chance to have them read your script!

Nowhere else do you find top judges and mentors like you do on Stage 32. The Grand Prize Winner will meet with an incredible panel of judges from companies that have produced some of the great Drama films in recent memory including recent hits including THE CIRCLE, TEST PATTERN, MERCHANT OF VENICE, and Academy Award winners including GIRL, INTERRUPTED, WALK THE LINE, THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN and more!

“This is more impressive than most other contests I've placed in - Nicholl, Austin, etc. - so I'm really grateful and happy!" 

- Jeff Galante, Stage 32 Contest Winner

Judges' Credits & Company Credits Include:

If you write Drama this contest could launch your career! With theaters back open, and streaming just as popular as ever, there is plenty of room for new writers of all genres. Whether you write classic dramas, indies or epics, our judges want to see them all!

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:

Jon Grossman, Creative Executive (WALK THE LINE, GIRL, INTERRUPTED)

Karina Wilson, Development Executive (THE CIRCLE)

Agustine Calderon, Producer (THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN)

Jason Piette, Producer (MERCHANT OF VENICE)

Liska Ostojic, Development Executive (TEST PATTERN)

Colleen Marshall, Producer (UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION, THE BACHELORS)

Dramas show us beautiful stories of humanity, and tragic stories of heartbreak, but either way, they open the door for emotional connection. Let us connect with your unique story, and help you bring it to the world!

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?

Remember that Drama has seemingly infinite sub-genres and we are open to them all. We want unique Dramas that have something new to say to audiences. Whether your story is a Romantic Drama, Historical Drama, Horror Drama, Legal Drama, War-time Drama, Crime Drama - or anything else in between - our judges want to see it!

Feature Length Screenplays:

All sub-genres of Drama 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:

Jon Grossman, Creative Executive, TreeLine Films (WALK THE LINE, GIRL, INTERRUPTED)

Karina Wilson, Development Executive (THE CIRCLE)

Agustine Calderon, Producer, Apple+ (THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN)

Jason Piette, Producer/Founder, Disrupting Influence (MERCHANT OF VENICE)

Liska Ostojic, Head of Development, 120E Films (TEST PATTERN)

Colleen Marshall, Producer/Founder, Four Leaf Productions (THE BACHELORS)

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.

Jon Grossman (Judge) - Creative Executive, Treeline Films

Jon Grossman is the Creative Executive for Golden Globe-winning, Oscar-nominated Producer Cathy Konrad, working on films and series for major networks, streamers, and studios across the industry.

 

Cathy Konrad has produced films in the WALK THE LINE, 3:10 TO YUMA, GIRL, INTERRUPTED, KNIGHT & DAY with Tom Cruise, and films SCREAM franchise. Jon is currently in pre-production on JULIET with Oscar-nominated director James Mangold.

 

Jon started in the industry over six years ago, beginning at AMC, NBC Universal, USA Network, and HBO. Jon worked in the Film and TV Talent Department at APA, followed by the management company Framework Entertainment.

 

Jon then transitioned to scripted development and production at Barefoot Films, a German-based production company, with a deal at Warner Bros., owned and operated by one of Germany’s biggest movie stars, Til Schweiger ("Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz" of INGLORIOUS BASTERDS).

 

Over the course of these different positions Jon has held, he has gained valuable skills in scripted development in both film and television, casting, sourcing material, creating decks and other pitch materials, production, as well as working directly with A-list talent.

Karina Wilson (Judge) - Story and Development Consultant,

Karina Wilson is an independent story and development consultant who works with a broad range of clients across film and television.

 

She has helped to shape narratives in every genre, from independent documentaries to Netflix animated series. She was the in-house story consultant at IM Global and worked on many of their titles including SECRET IN THEIR EYES with Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts, 13 SINS, and THE CIRCLE with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson.

 

She is currently developing a series of Thrillers for British TV. Karina is considered an expert in the Horror genre and has taught classes at UCLA and her analysis of horror trends through the decades has been featured in the WSJ, on NPR, in medical textbooks and in documentaries alongside luminaries such as Jason Blum, Joe Dante, and Andy Muschietti.

 

She's the lead screenplay judge for niche indie horror festival, Shriekfest, and has been picking winners for them since 2007. Karina is committed to nurturing the next generation of female filmmakers, especially those offering new and diverse perspectives within genre films.

Agustine Calderon (Judge & Mentor) - VP of Features, Amigos Studios

Agustine Calderon is the VP of Features at Amigos Studios. Previsouly he was VP of Features at 3Pas ("Trey Pās") which has a First Look production deal with Lionsgate for features, and ABC Signature for series. Their previous 3 projects with Lionsgate have made over $250m in the Global Box Office - starting with breakout remake of the classic OVERBOARD with Anna Ferris.

Previously, Agustine identified the IP, and co-produced TETRIS starring Taron Egerton for Apple+. He also just developed CRITICAL THINKING directed by actor, John Leguizamo.

He was previously an executive at a major production company with a co-financing and production deal at Warner Bros. His production and development credits include HORRIBLE BOSSES, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN, READY PLAYER ONE, WONDER WOMAN, THE LEGO MOVIE & THE LEGO MOVIE II, THE JUNGLE BOOK.

Agustine is also currently in development on a project with producer Beau Flynn (Rampage, Requiem for a Dream, San Andreas). Agustine specializes in Drama, Horror, Comedy, Action-Comedy Features, and Television of all genres.

 

Jason Piette (Judge) - Producer/Founder, Disrupting Influence

Jason Piette is a BAFTA-winning producer and film financier with over 50 movies and TV series to his name, including ​The Merchant Of Venice ​starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, Head In The Clouds​ starring Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz, the $33m ​"Napoleon"​ TV series for A&E, ​Perfect Creatures​ for Twentieth Century Fox; Mark Pellington’s ​I Melt With You ​for Magnolia Pictures and ​Iron Sky​ for eOne.

He is currently executive producing ​Berlin I Love You​, the anthology movie starring Helen Mirren and Keira Knightley, and producing a $30M adaptation of Jack London’s ​White Fang​ in Canada and China.

Jason is founder, director for sales, production and UK distribution group Disrupting Influence, which represents films and TV shows on a worldwide basis and which actively raises equity for film from the European equity markets.

Jason is a graduate of Cambridge University.

Liska Ostojic (Judge) - Head of Development, 120E Films

Liska Ostojic is the Head of Development for 120E Films, a company run by producer Pin-Chun Liu (PAPER TIGER, TEST PATTERN). Focusing on stories of diverse and underrepresented voices for an international market, 120E Films is interested in short-form and feature-length content that is timely and impactful.

 

Previously Liska worked at Dreamworks Animation where she was involved in films such as MEGAMIND and THE BEE MOVIE. After graduating with an MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory, Liska co-wrote the award-winning shorts CONTRAPELO and WAY IN RYE, as well as numerous commissioned features.

 

Her passion remains collaborating with and mentoring writers, discovering wonderful stories that deserve to be told, and championing ones that will make a difference in the world.

Colleen Marshall (Judge) - Founder/Producer, Four Leaf Productions

Colleen Marshall is a producer who focused on high-concept, character-driven content. Colleen produced the indie film THE BACHELORS, starring Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons, as well as the sequel UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION for Universal 1440 Entertainment.

 

Prior to launching her development and production venture, she first worked in the literary department at the Gersh Agency in Beverly Hills. She then helped open the LA-based office of Random House Studios, focusing on book-to-television adaptations. In 2015, Colleen went to work with veteran producer Matthew Baer who produced films with Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert DeNiro, Mark Ruffalo, and Michael Keaton.