6th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest

Contest Info

Winners Announced!  

You've made a short film. You've put in your time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and perhaps even some serious money into your project. Your goal isn't only to get your film seen, but to get it seen around the world and by people who can make a difference in your career. Would being screened by an Oscar qualifying film festival matter? How about having it screened for over 1,000 executives including managers, agents, producers, film financiers and more? Look no further.

The most prestigious short film competition on the planet is back. For the 5th straight year, Stage 32 is looking for the best short films for our 6th Annual Short Film Program. For the last 5 years, we've screened our winning filmmaker's films at some of the most prestigious festivals around the world, and for our stable of 1,000+ Stage 32 executives, and this year will be no different.

In this DIY, control your own material world, legions of filmmakers are turning to short films to have their voices heard. Further, with more and more film festivals adding short programs into their lineups and with so many filmmakers shooting short films as proof of concept to showcase their talents, short films are finally getting the attention they deserve.

 

Our top 5-10 winning filmmakers receive:

  • Inclusion in our 5th Stage 32 Short Film Program - The most anticipated short film program in the business.
  • Their film screened theatrically at 2 film prestigious film festivals: The Oscar-qualifying 2021 Hollyshorts Film Festival and the 2021 Raindance Film Festival in London.
  • Their film screened online to a worldwide audience on Stage 32 - This global screening will be available to all of our 650,000+ members on the platform
  • Their film showcased to over 1,000 executives who work with Stage 32 - All of our executives will be able to view an online screening of the program. If a meeting is requested between the executive and the filmmaker, we will facilitate.
  • Our Grand prize winning director will be flown to Los Angeles or London (travel permitting)- Walk the red carpet at either Hollyshorts or Raindance and participate in a live Q&A with Stage 32 Founder & CEO Rich "RB" Botto

 

We welcome entries from filmmakers all over the world. Last year's contest produced entries from Stage 32 members in 40 countries and resulted in a curated program of 7 incredible and well received short films made by filmmakers from 3 countries.

Over the last 4 years, our winning filmmakers have gone on to be signed (UTA, Echo Lake, Verve, and more), financed, and produced. One of our winning screenwriter/directors even went on to have one of the biggest spec sales in recent years, with Warner Brothers winning a bidding war which was based off a short film!

The Stage 32 Short Film Contest gives you the opportunity to show your chops and shine by providing access to some of the top executives in the business and exposure to film festival and worldwide online crowds. This is access, opportunity, and exposure you won't find anywhere else!

 

The Stage 32 Short Film Program has been featured to critical acclaim in Variety and Indiewire.


Congratulations to the 2021 Stage 32 Short Film Program Filmmakers!

Name Title
JULIE BRUNS & STEVEN KAMMERER  ADA (GRAND PRIZE WINNER)
DICKY CHALMERS ANGEL
BRIANNE BERKSON BABY'S PHONEY FRIEND
SOPHIE HAIKALI INVISIBLES (KAUNAPAWA)
YUVAL SUSSLER RAG
JEFF PERRECA TALENTLESS
OLIVIER DRESSEN THE PASSPORT
CATE CARSON THE PLUMBER

 

 

Congratulations to the 2021 Stage 32 Short Film Program Finalists!

Name Title
GABRIEL KALUSZYNSKI 12H20 (12:20PM)
ANA MARIA CARRIZALES A PREGNANT WOMAN
JULIE BRUNS ADA
DICKY CHALMERS ANGEL
BRIANNE BERKSON BABY'S PHONEY FRIEND
OLE-ANDRÉ RØNNEBERG BATHTUB BY THE SEA (ORIGINAL TITLE: FYRVAKTAREN)
CHRISTIANNA CARMINE ENOUGH ROOM
MATEO WILLIS EULOGY
SAMUEL EDWARD MAC FACE
NIKKI BORN HAUNT
ZEKE FARROW HE LEFT INSTRUCTIONS
SOPHIE HAIKALI INVISIBLES (KAUNAPAWA)
LUCA GRIMALDI LA VOCE
SCOTT JESCHKE MIMIC
KEVIN JOHN MC CORRY NINETY SECONDS
OLIVER LAVERY-FARAG PIECE OF MIND
DAN EDWARDS PRETTY METAL
YUVAL SUSSLER RAG
EDWARD VERA STRAIGHT OR ALIVE
JEFF PERRECA TALENTLESS
MICHAEL A LEVINE THE ASPIRANT
OLIVIER DRESSEN THE PASSPORT
CATE CARSON THE PLUMBER
DOMINIC J. DEJOSEPH TURN IT OFF
DAVID KELLY CROW WHATEVER IT TAKES

 

 

 

Congratulations to the 2021 Stage 32 Short Film Program Semi-Finalists!

 

Name Title
GABRIEL KALUSZYNSKI 12H20 (12:20PM)
MARGARITA ZHITNIKOVA 2 WEEKS
ANA MARIA CARRIZALES A PREGNANT WOMAN
MARK HAMPTON ACCEPTANCE
JULIE BRUNS ADA
DICKY CHALMERS ANGEL
BRIANNE BERKSON BABY'S PHONEY FRIEND
OLE-ANDRÉ RØNNEBERG BATHTUB BY THE SEA (ORIGINAL TITLE: FYRVAKTAREN)
RON JACKSON BECAUSE I WANT TO
VICTOR HOLLINGSWORTH CLEARING
DERWIN HAYDEN DAHLIA'S PARADISE
NIKI FRAZIER-CURRY DESERVED
MATT JAEMS DIVIDE BY ZERO
CHRISTIANNA CARMINE ENOUGH ROOM
JONNY WRIGHT ETHEL
MATEO WILLIS EULOGY
SAMUEL EDWARD MAC FACE
VITAL BUTINAR FORGOTTEN WISDOM - INNOCENT LOVE
JOE PERALES GEORGE/GEORGIA
KIA M. KISO HALLWAYS AND DOORS
TAMARA HERNANDEZ HAPPILY NEVER AFTER
NIKKI BORN HAUNT
ZEKE FARROW HE LEFT INSTRUCTIONS
KATHERINE SWEETMAN HIGH FLYING JADE
SOPHIE HAIKALI INVISIBLES (KAUNAPAWA)
LUCA GRIMALDI LA VOCE
MARTIN VAVRA LAMENT
D. ELLIOT WOODS LIFE AND LEMONS
BILLY FEDERIGHI MILKSHAKE
SCOTT JESCHKE MIMIC
ADAD JOEL WARDA MISS HER
TAMIKA J. SPAULDING MOJANA
KEVIN JOHN MC CORRY NINETY SECONDS
BRIAN DEININGER O SIX HUNDRED
RANJIT SINGH OCCAM'S RAZOR
WILLIAM ADIGUNA OUT LOUD
NEIL WATSON PAUPER
OLIVER LAVERY-FARAG PIECE OF MIND
ADAM ETHERIDGE POACHERS
DAN EDWARDS PRETTY METAL
YUVAL SUSSLER RAG
EDWARD VERA STRAIGHT OR ALIVE
JEFF PERRECA TALENTLESS
MICHAEL A LEVINE THE ASPIRANT
CHRIS ZARB THE END
LARRY HANKIN THE OUTLAW EMMETT DEEMUS & WILLY JONES
OLIVIER DRESSEN THE PASSPORT
CATE CARSON THE PLUMBER
PHILIP NELSON TIME
NATHALIE KANE TOKYO IN NYC
DOMINIC J. DEJOSEPH TURN IT OFF
DAVID KELLY CROW WHATEVER IT TAKES
JEN WINEMAN YOU LOOK AMAZING
PHILIP SEDGWICK ZAP!

 

Congratulations to the 2021 Stage 32 Short Film Program Quarterfinalists!

Name Title
GABRIEL KALUSZYNSKI  12H20 (12:20PM)
MARGARITA ZHITNIKOVA 2 WEEKS
ANA MARIA CARRIZALES A PREGNANT WOMAN
MARK HAMPTON ACCEPTANCE
JULIE BRUNS ADA
DICKY CHALMERS ANGEL
MARGARITA ZHITNIKOVA APPETITE
BRIANNE BERKSON BABY'S PHONEY FRIEND
OLE-ANDRÉ RØNNEBERG BATHTUB BY THE SEA (ORIGINAL TITLE: FYRVAKTAREN)
RON JACKSON BECAUSE I WANT TO
LINDSAY STIDHAM BITS AND PIECES
VICTOR HOLLINGSWORTH CLEARING
DERWIN HAYDEN DAHLIA'S PARADISE
NIKI FRAZIER-CURRY DESERVED
RAFI JACOBS DISSONANCE
MATT JAEMS DIVIDE BY ZERO
CHRISTIANNA CARMINE ENOUGH ROOM
JONNY WRIGHT ETHEL
MATEO WILLIS EULOGY
SAMUEL EDWARD MAC FACE
VITAL BUTINAR FORGOTTEN WISDOM - INNOCENT LOVE
JOE PERALES GEORGE/GEORGIA
EDDIE GOREE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT
KIA M. KISO HALLWAYS AND DOORS
TAMARA HERNANDEZ HAPPILY NEVER AFTER
NIKKI BORN HAUNT
ZEKE FARROW HE LEFT INSTRUCTIONS
KATHERINE SWEETMAN HIGH FLYING JADE
RACHEL THOMAS-MEDWID IN THE COMPANY OF CROWS
SOPHIE HAIKALI INVISIBLES (KAUNAPAWA)
AHMAD THOMAS KEEPER
LUCA GRIMALDI LA VOCE
MARTIN VAVRA LAMENT
D. ELLIOT WOODS LIFE AND LEMONS
MORGAN THOMAS LOYALTIES SCREENER COPY
MARINA SHRON LULLABY FOR RAY
CELIA JASPERS MILK
BILLY FEDERIGHI MILKSHAKE
SCOTT JESCHKE MIMIC
ADAD JOEL WARDA MISS HER
TAMIKA J. SPAULDING MOJANA
KEVIN JOHN MC CORRY NINETY SECONDS
BRIAN DEININGER O SIX HUNDRED
RANJIT SINGH OCCAM'S RAZOR
SHETAL SHAH OFF DUTY
DONN SWABY ORPHEUS STAR
WILLIAM ADIGUNA OUT LOUD
LARRY HANKIN OUTLAW EMMETT DEEMUS AND THE PORNO QUEEN
NEIL WATSON PAUPER
OLIVER LAVERY-FARAG PIECE OF MIND
ADAM ETHERIDGE POACHERS
DAN EDWARDS PRETTY METAL
YUVAL SUSSLER RAG
ZEKE FARROW RIDE OR DIE
EDWARD VERA STRAIGHT OR ALIVE
JAMES MCCARTNEY SUSPICION
JEFF PERRECA TALENTLESS
RAMY RAPHAËL TEARS OF OIZYS
MICHAEL A LEVINE THE ASPIRANT
KYLE C. MUMFORD THE DOOR
CHRIS ZARB THE END
LARISSA A PRIMEAU THE GIRL WITH THE UNICORN HORN
LARRY HANKIN THE OUTLAW EMMETT DEEMUS & WILLY JONES
OLIVIER DRESSEN THE PASSPORT
CATE CARSON THE PLUMBER
SCOTT MCCULLOUGH THREE DAYS GONE: BASED ON THE LIFE OF LUCAS SNOW
PHILIP NELSON TIME
MELANIA CRISAN TITUS & MIRABELLA
NATHALIE KANE TOKYO IN NYC
DOMINIC J. DEJOSEPH TURN IT OFF
DAVID BIANCHI WADE IN THE WATER
TAMMY KLEMBITH WHAT IF
DAVID KELLY CROW WHATEVER IT TAKES
JEN WINEMAN YOU LOOK AMAZING
PHILIP SEDGWICK ZAP!

Contest Prizes

Theatrical Screening in Special Stage 32 Short Film Program at 2 Film Festivals - US & UK

The top 5-10 films will be screened in a special Stage 32 theatrical Shorts Program Showcase at the 2021 Raindance Film Festival and the Oscar-qualifying 2021 Hollyshorts Film Festival!

Special Worldwide Online Screening

The top 5-10 Short Films will be screened online to a worldwide audience on Stage 32 in a special global event!

Exposure to over 1,000 Stage 32 Executives

The top 5-10 Short Films will be placed in a special private section on Stage 32 and sent to over 1,000 Stage 32 executives who will be able to view the films. If there is interest we will facilitate the meetings between interested parties and the filmmakers.

Grand Prize Winning Director Will Be Flown to LA or UK for Screening

The grand prize winning Director will be flown to Los Angeles, CA for the Hollyshorts Film Festival or London, UK for the Raindance Film Festival (travel permitting) and Stage 32 will host a Q&A with the Director after the film.

Our Track Record

Update on our winner, Virginia Bach (Tell Him)

Virginia is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!

 

Update on our Finalist Sy Huq (Things That Fall)

Sy is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!

 

Update on our Finalist Steve Desmond (Monsters)

We screened Steve Desmond's film Monsters in front of executives from WME, Whitewater, Lionsgate and more and he went on to have a massive bidding war for his spec Harry's All Night Hamburgers, which was picked up by Warner Bros. and now has Ted Melfi attached to direct!

 

Update on our Finalist Aaron Bierman (Burning Bright)

Aaron Bierman's film was screened at the Hollyshorts Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival and Aaron went on to be represented by legendary agent David Boxerbaum, partner at Verve Literary and Talent Agency after Verve watched his online screening on Stage 32.

 

Update on our Finalist Zara Burdett (Maneater)

Zara's film, Maneater was screened at the Hollyshorts Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival. After we set Zara up on meetings around town she has signed with UTA and Echo Lake Entertainment!

 

Update on our Finalist Dinh Thai (Monday)

Dinh's film Monday earned rave reviews and we sent him on meetings around town based on his unique style as a filmmaker. He has signed with Paradigm Agency and Kaplan / Perrone Management and won NBCU's Next Generation Filmmaker and Outstanding Director Awards.

 

Update on our Winner, Terez Koncz (The Letters)

Terez has been set up on meetings internationally - with an award-winning producer in the United States, as well as with a veteran executive who is based in Budapest, Hungary. She is now meeting with Good Fear Film + Management to discuss representation in the US!

Update on our Winner, Lisanne Sartor (Six Letter Word)

Lisanne Sartor, writer & director of Six Letter Word, has taken her short as a proof of concept and finished her feature script. Through Stage 32, her film, Six Letter Word, screened at the Richmond Film Festival and the Hollyshorts Film Festival and in front of Lionsgate, Samaco Films, Whitewater Films, Kodak, Legion M and CAA. She is now directing the feature version of this film and is out to actresses to package the project!

 

 

Update on Our Winner, Director Matt Kazman (Killer)

Stage 32 member Matt Kazman's film, KILLER, premiered worldwide in the Stage 32 Short Film Program at the Raindance Film Festival where Matt was featured in Variety. Through Stage 32 Matt went on to meet with many executives and has since signed with UTA and Rise Management. Matt's film KILLER went on to screen as an official selection at Sundance Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, IFFBoston, Florida Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival. Matt has gone on to work on Middle of The Night Show for MTV.

 

 

Q&A with the filmmakers at the Hollyshorts Film Festival

 

Contest Judges

Winner Announcements

* Announcement dates subject to change.
register for stage 32 Register / Log In