2nd Annual Female Driven Screenwriting Contest

Stage 32 is proud to present the 2nd Annual Female Driven Screenwriting Contest!

You’ll meet industry professionals from companies including HBO Max, Gidden Media, Bellevue Productions and more!

Open to features and pilots!

Female Driven content has never been more exciting, diverse and commercial than it is today. Managers, producers and development executives are on the hunt for the next TAR, SMILE, FLEABAG or BRIDESMAIDS. The biggest shows and films in the world right now are Female Driven - we know you’ve heard of WEDNESDAY and EMILY IN PARIS! We’re here to give your Female Driven project that kind of success.

Last year, we set up our winner with 9 one-on-one meetings with industry pros currently working on female driven content - and she is still working with a manager from that group! Our 10 finalists get amazing exposure too; last year’s finalists had their work requested by top production and management companies including Cold Iron Pictures and The Cartel!

If you have a female driven 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!

STAGE 32 CONTEST WINNERS & FINALISTS NOW WORK WITH:

Our Grand Prize winner will:

• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with 11 top professionals currently working in the industry at companies like HBO Max, Citizen Skull Management and more with credits including BOOKSMART, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT!
• Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script’s pitch deck for the market
• Have your professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers who have a First Look deal with Stage 32 and are actively looking for new clients and material
• Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, a private, virtual community of writers from around the world the meet and learn from industry professionals like Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT, CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aimee Riviera, VP of Motion Picture Production at Skydance Media (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and managers & agents from WME, CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity & more!
• Free access to Stage 32’s educational webinar library, which includes over 2,000 hours of content featuring top industry professionals
• Continued support from the Stage 32 team to help move your career forward and get you in front of decision makers!

ALL 10 Finalists will:

• Have your loglines presented to over 500 industry executives including literary managers, agents and producers in a Stage 32 lookbook. Past lookbook writers have been set up on meetings with and even signed with companies like 3 Arts Entertainment, UTA, APA, Art/Work Entertainment, Zero Gravity and more!
• Get a free three month membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, a private, virtual community of writers from around the world the meet and learn from industry professionals like Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT, CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aimee Riviera, VP of Motion Picture Production at Skydance Media (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and managers & agents from WME, CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity & more!

Stage 32 will be a champion for your script - once you’re part of our community, we make sure you rise to the top!

Our Female Driven Screenwriting Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 11 years. Stage 32 has quickly 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, Jennifer Goldson was signed by Dallaslyn Lamb at RAIN, whose credits include THE DEUCE and YELLOWJACKETS!
• Last year’s finalists have had their work requested by managers and producers at Cold Iron Pictures, Nightshade Entertainment, Writ Large and more!
• Want to see some of our hundreds of success stories, click here!

Don't believe us? Let 1st Annual Female Driven Contest Winner Jennifer Goldson tell you why you should enter!

About the Exposure For Your Script

The Grand Prize Winner Will be Flown to Los Angeles to meet with:

• Manager of Drama Development, HBO Max (PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN)
• Michelle Knudsen, Manager & Producer, MXN Entertainment (Client credits include BOOKSMART, DON'T WORRY DARLING, DEAD TO ME)
• Amy Baer, President, Gidden Media (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE)
• Colleen Labella, Director of Development, Shoot to Midnight (SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, RUSSIAN DOLL)
• Kate Sharp, Manager, Bellevue Productions (Client credits include THE GOOD PLACE, SILICON VALLEY)
• Tammy Hunt, Manager, Citizen Skull Management (Client credits include THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER)
• Allison Vanore, Emmy Award Winning Producer, Tomorrowland Productions (AFTER FOREVER, DARK/WEB)
• Robin Galloway, Manager & Producer, Gramercy Park Entertainment (Client credits include BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR, THE 100)
• Catherine Delaloye, Founder/Executive Director, Female Voices Rock (WHERE TO NOW?, THE WITCHES OF BUSHWICK)
• Tessie Goodrich, VP of Development, Golden Alchemy Entertainment (BRIGHTBURN)
• Nina Georgieff, Independent Producer (SMALL SELKIE)

Judge’s Credits and Company Credits Include:

In addition to these meetings, the winner will also receive access to Stage 32’s Educational resources, be promoted on Stage 32’s social media, and have their professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers hand picked by Stage 32 who are actively looking for new clients and material. Stage 32 will facilitate introductory meetings to any of the representatives who respond to your material and bio. This is the type of exposure that will change your career forever!

If you reach the Finals, you still get massive exposure to decision makers!

ALL FINALISTS will receive a FREE MONTH OF THE MEMBER'S ONLY STAGE 32 WRITERS' ROOM, an exclusive community of writers who gather online for inspiring and educational webcasts from top industry pros, and will be in a Stage 32 Lookbook which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 400 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Lookbooks are some of the most sought after talent resources for the industry and have helped secure meetings with places like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Art/Work and many, many more.

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: January 12th, 2023

Early Bird Deadline: February 8th, 2023

Regular Deadline: March 1st, 2023

Final Deadline: March 22nd, 2023

Quarterfinalist Announcement: June 9th, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: June 23rd, 2023

Finalist Announcement: July 7th, 2023

Winner Announcement: July 21st, 2023

Submission Options

Feedback & Resubmission Option

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? 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. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

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 is April 1st, 2023.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on June 9th, 2023. 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 the Final Deadline on March 22nd, 2023 to submit a new draft. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

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

Kate Sharp (Judge) - Literary Manager & Producer, Bellevue Productions

Kate Sharp is a producer and literary manager at Bellevue Productions.

Prior to joining Bellevue, Kate was the VP of Development and Production at Occupant Entertainment, producing short-form content for Showtime, MTV, Verizon, Facebook, and U2, and was an Executive Producer on the Hulu original, Emmy-nominated TV series BEHIND THE MASK. Her film credits include PEEP WORLD, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY, MADAME BOVARY and THE HALLOW.

Kate is currently producing THE BURNING SEASON (recipient of a Film Independent Producing Fellowship, a 2016 Tribeca Sloan grant, a 2018 Fast Track Sloan grant, a 2015 Athena List winner and on the 2016 Black List), as well as AT RISK (recipient of a Film Independent Writing Fellowship and on the 2018 Black List).

Kate is a graduate of New York University where she received a B.F.A. in Film and Television from the Tisch School of the Arts.

Michelle Knudsen (Judge) - Literary Manager/Producer, MXN Entertainment

Michelle Knudsen is a producer and manager at MXN Entertainment. As a manager she has focused on championing women and diverse voices. Her clients include Carrie Solomon (the upcoming Netflix movie starring Nicole Kidman, Family Affair), Katie Silberman (Set It Up, Booksmart), and Jesse Andrews (Me & Earl & the Dying Girl). As a producer, her feature film credits include the Netflix comedy, When We First Met, the music driven documentary, No Cameras Allowed, and the Universal Pictures released, Queen & Slim. Knudsen grew up on Long Island with her Peruvian family and graduated from Columbia University.

Colleen Labella (Judge) - Director of Development, Shoot to Midnight

Colleen Labella is the Director of Development for Leslye Headland's company, Shoot to Midnight, which developed the Emmy award winning show, "RUSSIAN DOLL".

 

Colleen is a producer on the upcoming Freeform show, "SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE". Her projects currently in development include "THE ACOLYTE" (a Star Wars series), "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 also has a background in directing theatre and is particularly interested in queer and female-centric storytelling.

Catherine Delaloye (Judge) - Founder & Executive Director, Female Voices Rock

Catherine Delaloye is a director, producer, and writer who is passionate about social impact and dedicates her work to empowering diverse voices. Her credits include WHERE TO NOW?, THE WITCHES OF BUSHWICK, THAT PART, and the feature film SLEEPAWAY CAMP, starring Antoni Porowski (QUEER EYE). Growing up between Europe and the US, Catherine has a global perspective that she uniquely brings to each film and project she is a part of. This, along with her avid attention-to-detail, valuable direction, and impressive verbosity, has gained recognition in the film community. Her projects have been awarded with various honors, including winning the Grand Jury Prize at Barnstorm Screenwriting Contest for her script Noah & Camille. Catherine founded Female Voices Rock, an organization that aims to increase the female presence in the film and TV industry. Catherine has raised over 500K for various film projects through her organization, creating a powerful platform for underrepresented filmmakers in the industry. The annual Female Voices Rock Film Festival has grown to be rated among the top film festivals in just four years since its inception.

Tammy Hunt (Judge) - Manager, Citizen Skull Management

Tammy is a Los Angeles based literary and talent manager with Citizen Skull Management. She represents individuals of various creative roles in the entertainment industry primarily actors, writers and directors.

Her clients, past and present, have been nominated for Emmy’s, Tony’s and Academy Awards, written and directed for multi-billion dollar franchises, starred in films for Clint Eastwood, Brian De Palma, Wolfgang Petersen, Richard Donner, Penny Marshall, Brad Furman, Chris Columbus, Denzel Washington, Martin Scorsese, and many more. She has had TV writers and producers work for MGM, NBC, Universal Television, CBS, USA Network, History Channel, ABC, FOX, and many others.

She was a co-executive producer on her writer clients film - Becky - that became the number one box office hit for the month of June in 2020. The film starred Lulu Wilson, Kevin James and Joel McHale.

Tammy began her journey in the industry in the wardrobe department of Aaron Spelling Productions working on such television programs as Dynasty, 90210, and Melrose Place. After taking a hiatus to focus on her passion for couture clothing design, she become a talent manager in 2005.

In addition to her degree from Bauder Fashion Institute in Atlanta, GA, she is currently pursuing a certificate from UCLA in the entertainment department to prepare her for the ever changing media landscape.

Robin Galloway (Judge) - Manager/Producer, Gramercy Park Entertainment

Robin Galloway is the New York Talent Manager/Producer for LA-based Gramercy Park Entertainment. Prior to working for GPE, Robin was a consulting buyer for Film Movement, an award-winning distributor of independent and foreign films. She has also worked for FOX/TNT, Sony Pictures Entertainment and is the Founder and Principal of P-38 Lightning Productions, specializing in the development and production of scripted series and film, pitching, film festival circuit, fundraising and multi-media work. She grew up throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia and received her MFA from Brown University.

Tessie Goodrich (Judge) - VP of Development, Golden Alchemy

Tessie Goodrich most recently served as the VP of Development & Production at Golden Alchemy, writer/director David E. Talbert’s production company with a first look deal at Netflix. Prior to that, Tessie spearheaded a slate of feature projects at independent financier The H Collective where she acted as the associate producer and creative executive on horror movie BRIGHTBURN (produced by James Gunn, directed by David Yarovesky and distributed by Screen Gems) and indie drama THE PARTS YOU LOSE (produced by Mark Johnson, directed by Chris Cantwell and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films).

Tessie formerly worked in development and acquisitions at Miramax, the motion picture department at John Wells Productions, and the motion picture talent division at ICM. She received a BA in Film Production at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.

Allison Vanore (Judge) - Emmy Award-Winning Producer,

Allison Vanore is the Emmy Award-winning producer of the six-time Emmy winning series AFTER FOREVER on Amazon Prime. She also produced and directed the AFTER FOREVER special RILEY’S UNFORGETTABLE SCHOOL PROJECT during Covid and was awarded the Television Academy Chairman’s Pillar Award for getting the production back to work safely during the pandemic. Allison's notable award-winning films include BUCK RUN, THE RAINBOW EXPERIMENT, 42 SECONDS OF HAPPINESS, LOVE IN THE TIME OF MONSTERS, and coming soon PARIS IS IN HARLEM. Allison produced Emmy-winning horror anthology series DARK/WEB on Amazon, animated CryptTV horror series WOMAN IN THE BOOK for Facebook Watch, and produces digital content for Mattel’s doll brands such as Barbie and American Girl. Between 2015-2019, Allison served as the Head of Production for Canvas Media Studios where she produced shows including Emmy-nominated drama VANITY, and fashion competition show WEAR IT TO WIN IT for Facebook Watch. Allison serves on the executive board of non-profit Women in Media (WiM), an organization whose mission is gender parity above and below the line, in all departments, on every crew. For WiM, she Executive Produces the CAMERAderie Initiative whose films boast premieres at Tribeca and generous support from NBC Universal and Manhattan Beach Studios. Allison has taught Producing at the college level and has spoken on panels at SAG-AFTRA, Comic-Con, and SXSW.

Nina Goergieff (Judge) - Independent Producer,

Nina Georgieff is a film producer based in London and Germany.

As a producer she has worked across narrative and documentary projects in theatre, film and TV — and short form content including short films, animation films, music videos and branded content for commercial and corporate clients in the fashion, food and finance world.

Her recent narrative projects are SMALL SELKIE, which tells the story of a young girl who sets out to save the seas when she learns of the horrors of plastic pollution, and the BBC funded film BRIDGE. Both films are set for release at the end of 2022.

Her documentary film is about a project in Varna that aims to help integrate Roma children into Bulgarian society and highlights the importance of learning and connecting through play. The film explores issues of integration, breaking generational cycles, establishing trust and overcoming prejudice. The film is set for a 2023 release.

She has previously worked with the production and development team at Met Film Production, and the sales and acquisitions team at Film Seekers in London, and works with creative agency Female Narratives.

Nina has co-written two plays, SORRY DID I WAKE YOU, which premiered at the Tristan Bates Theatre and was long-listed for the Women’s Prize in Playwriting , and What Do I Wear To The Apocalypse, programmed for the Catalyst Festival.

She seeks to develop original and timely stories that are rooted in a human Truth. She is constantly pushing herself to be bolder in her own work, so that is what she seeks out in the work of others.

Creative Executive 180 (Judge) - Manager, Drama Development, HBOMax

Creative Executive 180 is the manager of original content at HBOMax, focusing primarily on Drama series. A lover of all character dramas and stories that defy genre and type, they are currently working on the upcoming Lena Dunham produced series "GENERATION", the reboot of "PRETTY LITTLE LIARS" with Roberto Aguierre Sacasa, "DOOM PATROL" and "TITANS" from the DC Universe, and the pilot for the beloved book, "RULES OF MAGIC".

They started their career working at CAA in the TV Literary department.

Amy Baer (Judge) - President, Gidden Media

Amy Baer's three decade entertainment career is multi-faceted - experience with major studios, entrepreneurial start-ups, and traditional producing. Collectively, the films she has supervised and/or produced have grossed over $2 billion worldwide.

Currently, Baer is President of Landline Pictures, a film production label launched in February 2020 with MRC Film (BABY DRIVER, KNIVES OUT). Landline produces feature films that focus on a 50+ audience for both theatrical and streaming distribution. Its first film, JERRY & MARGE GO LARGE, starring Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening, and directed by David Frankel ("Marley & Me"), had its World Premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival before launching on Paramount + in June 2022, quickly becoming the #1 title for active subscribers.

Prior to Landline, In 2012 Baer raised a 7-figure development fund and launched Gidden Media, one of the industry’s only female-led, independently financed content incubation companies. Her first film as a producer was the 2013 hit LAST VEGAS (starring Michael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline) which grossed $136MM worldwide. She has also produced the IFC romantic drama MARY SHELLEY, starring Elle Fanning (THE GREAT) which had
its World Premiere at the 2017 Toronto Film Festival, and Bleecker Street's inspirational true story BRIAN BANKS, starring Aldis Hodge and Greg Kinnear, which premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, winning the Audience Award.

Before starting her own company, Baer served as President & CEO of CBS Films (2007-2011), launching the division for CBS Corp. Baer spent the previous 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she oversaw such hit films as 1997’s MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING, Oscar nominated ADAPTATION (2001), S.W.A.T. (2002), SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE (2003), and THE HOLIDAY (2006). She also developed the 2011 Oscar-nominated Sony hit MONEYBALL, starring Brad Pitt. She began her career at Creative Artists Agency in 1988 as an assistant to the late Jay Moloney.

Baer became Board President of Women in Film in June 2018, stepping into the role as the entertainment industry faced a broad reckoning over gender disparities and sexual harassment. As part of her WIF work, Baer executive produced her first television show in 2020 – the CW variety special “Women in Film Presents: Make it Work!” which was part of WIF’s 2020 Hire Her Back campaign, providing grants to women in the screen industries whose livelihoods had been jeopardized by COVID shutdowns.