1st Annual Action/Thriller Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WINNER!

Stage 32 is excited to launch the 1st Annual Action Thriller Screenwriting Contest!

Action and Thriller feature films continue to dominate the Global Box Office! Thanks to classic franchises such as the TERMINATOR franchise, the JAMES BOND franchise, and the BOURNE franchise, as well as new hits like DEADPOOL, TAKEN, JOHN WICK, and most recently THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD, the world is looking forward to more Action, Adventure, and thrills!

TERMINATOR and AVATAR Director James Cameron says, “Imagination is a force that can actually manifest a reality. Don't put limitations on yourself.”

At Stage 32 our entire mission is to help you bring your imagination to life with opportunities you can’t find anywhere else! We recognize that producers, studios, actors, streamers and audiences are clamouring for Action-Thrillers. So we’re going to bring your best Action/Thriller scripts right to them!

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 biggest Action-Thriller films in recent memory, including HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD, WONDER WOMAN 1984, SKYSCRAPER with Dwayne Johnson, FREE GUY with Ryan Reynolds, JASON BOURNE, BRAVEHEART, HACKSAW RIDGE, THE WALKING DEAD, LOCKED DOWN with Anne Hathaway, and brand new films NO TIME TO DIE and THE TOMORROW WAR with Chris Pratt!

Mentors' Credits & Company Credits Include: 

#1 Movie in America!

If you write Action, Adventure, or Thrillers this contest could launch your career! If you write Action/Comedy, Action/Sci-Fi, Action/Adventure, Family Adventure, Gritty Thrillers, Heist & Crime Thrillers, or any other sub-genre, this is the competition you have been waiting for!

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 executives from:

MGM (NO TIME TO DIE, TOMB RAIDER, RAMBO: LAST BLOOD)

Millennium Films (THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARDS WIFE)

Lit Entertainment (THE TOMORROW WAR, FREE GUY)

Circle of Confusion (THE WALKING DEAD)

Captivate Entertainment (JASON BOURNE)

AGC Studios (LOCKED DOWN, MIDWAY)

Aaron Sims Creative (WONDER WOMAN 1984, SKYSCRAPER, MEN IN BLACK)

Icon Productions (HACKSAW RIDGE, BRAVEHEART)

Intrinsic Value Films (THE ALPHABET KILLER)

Compound B (DEBT COLLECTORS)

CK Artists Management

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:

• 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 Action, Action/Adventure, Family-friendly Action/Adventure, Action/Comedy, Action/Drama, Action/Sci-Fi, Action/Thriller, Gritty Thrillers, Heist & Crime, Mystery, and more! If you've dreamt it up, we want to see it! If your script fits in with any of these examples, it’s a fit for this contest!

Feature Length Screenplays:

All genres of 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 executives from:

Lorenzo Keels, Creative Executive, MGM (NO TIME TO DIE, TOMB RAIDER, RAMBO: LAST BLOOD)

Sam Schulte, Millennium Films (THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARDS WIFE)

Matt Dy, Literary Manager, Lit Entertainment (THE TOMORROW WAR, FREE GUY)

Zach Cox, Literary Manager, Circle of Confusion (THE WALKING DEAD)

Felicia Villareal, Coordinator, Icon Productions (HACKSAW RIDGE, BRAVEHEART)

Robbie Combs, Development Executive, Captivate Entertainment (JASON BOURNE)

Aimee Schoof, Producer, Intrinsic Value Films (THE ALPHABET KILLER)

Michael Ewing, Creative Executive, AGC Studios (LOCKED DOWN, MIDWAY)

Tyler Winther, Head of Development Aaron Sims Creative (WONDER WOMAN 1984, SKYSCRAPER, MEN IN BLACK)

Abhay Sampat, Literary Manager, Underground Management

Ariel Beilberg,, Producer & Executive Compound B (DEBT COLLECTORS)

Carmen Knox, Literary Manager, CK Artists Management

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.

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.

Matt Dy (Judge & Mentor) - Literary Manager, Lit Entertainment Group

Matt Dy is a Literary Manager at Lit Entertainment Group which produced the Action films FREE GUY and THE TOMORROW WAR. 

He joined Lit Entertainment Group as a Literary Manager in early 2019. Previously, he worked at Austin Film Festival (AFF) since 2008 where he served as the Director of Script Competitions and facilitated the evaluation of thousands of annual script submissions reaching a record 10,580 submissions in 2018.

During his time at AFF, he helped shepherd the careers of countless writers and connected them with various industry professionals.

Zach Cox (Judge & Mentor) - Literary Manager, Circle of Confusion

Zach Cox is a literary manager at Circle of Confusion. Circle of Confusion is also currently producing the mega hit THE WALKING DEAD. Zach reps Richard Glatzer (QUINCEANERA, STILL ALICE with Julianne Moore), Brian Duffield (INSURGENT) and John Orloff (A MIGHTY HEART). Circle of Confusion is one of the leading management companies in Los Angeles.

Zach joined Circle of Confusion in 2006 and has worked as a manager since 2011. Zach responds to great character-driven stories regardless of genre and believes great storytelling is a gift that can be honed but not outright taught.

Felicia Villarreal (Judge & Mentor) - Coordinator, Icon Productions

Felicia Villarreal is a coordinator at Mel Gibson's company Icon Productions, as well as a producer on projects with well-known actors including Jermaine Fowler and Lil Rel Howery.

In her eight years of working in film, Felicia has held various roles in both pre and post-production at A-list companies such as Bold Films with produced NIGHTCRAWLER and WHIPLASH, and Formosa Group which produced "GAME OF THRONES" and THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS.

Some of Felicia's most recent film credits include, FATMAN, FORCE OF NATURE and VOX LUX.

Robbie Combs (Judge & Mentor) - Development Executive, Feature & TV, Captivate Entertainment

Robbie Combs is the Feature and TV Development Executive at Captivate Entertainment, the Universal-based production company behind the JASON BOURNE-franchise, including the spin-off series "TREADSTONE" on USA Network.

 

Captivate Entertainment is an American film production company, founded in 2009. It has a first-look deal with Universal Pictures and it is based on the Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City, California.

 

Aimee Schoof (Judge & Mentor) - 10 Sundance, 4 Tribeca and 3 SXSW Premieres - Producer, Intrinsic Value Films

Aimee Schoof is a feature film producer and the co-founder of Intrinsic Value Films with Isen Robbins. She has produced more than 35 feature films. Of those, 10 have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, 4 at the Tribeca Film Festival, 3 at SXSW, and one each at LA Film Festival, Toronto, Venice, New York FF, New Directors/New Films, and Berlinale.

 

The company develops, produces and sells independent films that have been distributed worldwide, have won many awards and been honored with numerous nominations. Accolades include winning two Sloan Sundance awards, a Sundance Special Grand Jury prize, and being nominated 5 times by Film Independent as producers. She is both a Sundance and Film Independent Fellows, has worked in international sales attending all major markets, and regularly lectures on film finance and production.

 

Select produced films include TESLA with Ethan Hawke the upcoming release for IFC, AMERICAN SATAN with Malcolm McDowell, Boo Boo Stewart, and Denise Richards, MARJORIE PRIME with Jon Hamm, Tim Robbins, Geena Davis for Film Rise, EXPERIMENTER with Peter Sarsgaard, Winona Ryder, Jim Gaffigan, and John Leguizamo for Magnolia, BLUE CAPRICE with Isiaiah Washington, Tim Blake Nelson, and Joey Lauren Adams for IFC, RUN with William Moseley, Kelsey Chow, Adrian Pasdar, and Eric Roberts for Millennium Entertainment, ALPHABET KILLER with Eliza Dushku, Cary Elwes, Timothy Hutton for Starz/Anchor Bay, DEATH OF A DYNASTY with Kevin Hart, Rashida Jones, and Chloe Sevigny through TLA Releasing, XX/XY with Mark Ruffalo for IFC.

 

Lorenzo Keels (Judge) - Feature Production Development Executive, MGM

Lorenzo Keels is a Feature Production Development Executive working directly for the Co-President of Production at MGM. In his role, he works in the development of MGM Feature projects – including Jordan Peele’s Candyman and the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson – and in tracking available material to bring into MGM.

Prior to that, Lorenzo was at Verve Talent and Literary Agency, Flame Ventures Production Co with Tony Krantz.

MGM is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content as well as the premium pay television network EPIX.

On the Feature side, MGM boasts more than 177 Academy Awards® in its vast library. MGM’s more recent feature film highlights include the long-running 007 franchise; the hugely successful Creed I and II; the Oscar-nominated A Star is Born (released by Warner Brothers); Fighting With My Family; the Denzel Washington/Chris Pratt hit Western The Magnificent Seven; the Jonah Hill/Channing Tatum Jump Street franchise; the action-packed Tomb Raider starring Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft; and the surprise hit Overboard, which had the biggest opening in Mexico for a comedy in any language.

 

Sam Schulte (Judge & Mentor) - Production & Distribution Manager, Millennium Films

Sam Schulte is the Production & Distribution Manager at Millennium Films and works directly with Co-Presidents Jeffrey Greenstein and Jonathan Yunger. Millennium released THE HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD which hit #1 at the Box Office!

Previously they have released ANGEL HAS FALLEN and RAMBO: LAST BLOOD! 

Millennium Films is one of the longest-running independent film companies in the history of Hollywood, with over 20 years behind it and more than 300 movies to its credit. The company now produces, finances and handles international sales for 8-10 star-driven movies per year, generally with budgets between $20 million and $80 million.

Millennium is best known for The Expendables Franchise, The Hitman's Bodyguard, Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen and more! 

Michael Ewing (Judge & Mentor) - Creative Executive, AGC Studios (MIDWAY, )

Michael Ewing is the Creative Executive at AGC Studios which just released the Heist Thriller LOCKED DOWN from director Doug Liamn. 

Matt he sources new projects for the company while also supporting the Chairman and CEO. Most recently, ACG released the smash-hit drama MIDWAY directed by Roland Emmerich for Lionsgate, and will be releasing the drama BREAKING NEWS IN YUBA COUNTY with MGM, starring Mila Kunis and directed by Tate Taylor (THE HELP).

AGC is also currently in post-production on VOYAGERS with Colin Farrell and directed by Neil Burger (DIVERGENT Franchise).

The new studio’s Hollywood output has a wide-ranging multicultural focus, designed for exploitation across an array of global platforms including major studio partnerships, streaming platforms, traditional broadcast and cable television networks and independent distributors, both in the U.S. and internationally. 

Ariel Bleiberg (Judge & Mentor) - Producer, Development and Sales Coordinator, Compound B (Foreign Sales Company)

Ariel Bleiberg is a Producer, Development and Sales Coordinator at the international foreign sales company Compound B, which specializes in selling and pre-selling screenplays to international territories in order to finance the project.

Ariel is currently in post-production on MASQUERADE with Bella Thorne, OVERRUN with Oscar-nominee Bruce Dern, and THE ACCURSED with Izabela Vidovic.

Ariel has over 10 years of experience in Development, Production and International Sales. Prior to joining Compound B, Ariel was at Sony Pictures Classics, the international sales division of Sony Pictures.

 

As a representative of Compound B, Ariel pre-sells feature screenplays at markets such as Cannes, Venice, Toronto Film Festival and more. He is fluent in French, Hebrew and conversational in Spanish.

Carmen Knox - Manager & Producer, CK Artists

Carmen Knox developed series including the award-winning TINY PRETTY THINGS for Netflix and DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY for Snapchat Originals. 

With a background as a scripted development executive, Carmen launched and build independent television studio Insurrection Media. Carmen drove the growth and success of the studio’s scripted video programming by managing all aspects of development on an extensive slate of series for streaming and premium cable.

Carmen also managed the company’s strategic partnership with HarperCollins Publishers, successfully identifying and developing IP/titles resulting in subsequent series orders.

In 2020, she launched her own management label CK Artists under which she currently represents writers and directors in Australia, Canada and the U.S. for the global market. Carmen is specifically interested in championing underrepresented perspectives.

 

Carmen specializes in hour-long grounded Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller, high-concept Action and Soapy Drama Television series and Horror features. 

 

Please note: Contacting Carmen via email or any social media with an unsolicited submission outside of Stage 32 is a violation of their privacy and our user policy and could result in suspension from the site. They will not reply to any friend requests, network requests, or emails they receive.

Carmen and CK Artists do not accept or consider unsolicited submissions of any kind. Do not submit Unsolicited Materials to Carmen via any means (including, without limitation, via Social Media, Mail, Fax or E-mail).

Carmen will not treat Unsolicited Materials as confidential and will not review, keep, acknowledge or return the submission or any related materials. Any Unsolicited Materials will become sole property of CK Artists. All Unsolicited Materials are deleted or discarded without being reviewed.

Tyler Winther (Judge & Mentor) - Head of Development, Original Content, Aaron Sims Creative

Tyler Winther is an award winning filmmaker and the Head of Development at Aaron Sims Creative where he oversees development of all Original Content for the company.

 

Aaron Sims Creative is an Award-Winning Design, Visual Effects, and Virtual Reality Studio brining iconic characters and worlds to life including, WONDER WOMAN, WONDER WOMAN 1984, PLANET OF THE APES, SKYSCRAPER, THE EDGE OF TOMORROW, MEN IN BLACK,  I AM LEGEND, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN, and "STRANGER THINGS".

 

Led by Aaron Simms, the team works alongside filmmakers, producers, and storytellers at every phase of concept and visual development to help bring their vision to stunning reality.