3rd Annual Diversity Springboard Contest

THE WINNER HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

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Stage 32 is proud to present the 3rd Annual Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Contest!

Our Grand Prize winner will:

• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with top industry professionals working in the industry with Innovative Artists, 3dot Productions, Iconic Media Productions and more!
• Work with Stage 32 to develop your script’s pitch deck for the market.
• Get a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room and free access to some of Stage 32’s educational resources
• 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 3 Arts Entertainment, UTA, APA, Art/Work Entertainment, Zero Gravity and more!
• Get a free one month membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room

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 Diversity Springboard See Results

So many of our previous Diversity Springboard contest winners and finalists have been signed. Click the "Success Stories" link here for testimonials from our past winners! 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?

• Winner Jeff Thompson recently started working in the writer's room of popular sitcom, The Goldbergs! 
• Last year’s winner, Lorna Green, had meetings with Warner Bros, ViacomCBS and more!
• Finalists have had their work requested by managers and producers at Alibi, Lit Entertainment Group and many others

Still don’t believe us? Let Diversity Springboard Winner Jeffrey Thompson tell you why you should enter!

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

About the Stage 32 3rd Annual Diversity Springboard Contest

Diversity is what makes our industry special - tell your unique story in this year's Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Contest. Connecting with diverse audiences and showing the world your story is exactly what film and television are for!

In Stage 32's ongoing commitment to find the top undiscovered talent in the world, we are proud to announce our Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Contest. Since its inception in 2011 when we launched with our "One Love" initiative, Stage 32 has been committed to providing opportunities and a platform for unrepresented and underrepresented creatives from all backgrounds, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, and those who are passionate about storytelling despite adversity. (Check out our ONE LOVE initiative here)

If you have a diverse and unique story that needs to be told, or if you come from an underrepresented background, now is the time to bring show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and springboard your writing career to the next level!

We are looking for diverse scripts of all subjects and tones. Whether your story is funny, tragic, or anything in between, our judges want to read them! This contest is open to Features and Television Pilots for Limited and Recurring Series.

About the Exposure For Your Script

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

Judi Bell, CEO, Iconic Media Productions (THE NOTEBOOK, CARRIE)

Greer Stanley, Creative Executive, 3dot Productions (THE LOST CITY, ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL)

Kyle Bowles, Creative Executive, MACRO Film Studios (JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH)

Emily Cameron, Literary Coordinator, Innovative Artists (clients include Amanda Seyfried & Ally Sheedy)

Samantha Schifrien, Development Executive, 93 Cedar (HUNG, THE RICHES)

Autumn Bailey-Ford, Producer/Founder, Autumn Bailey Entertainment (MAYNARD, TRADING PAINT)

Cindy Villarreal, Producer, Majestic Productions (SECRET DIARY OF AN AMERICAN TEENAGER, PETER PAN)

Felicia Villarreal, Producer, Icon Productions (WHIPLASH, THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS)

Brodrick Haygood, Producer/Founder, Moon Howler (CRATE)

Olivia Charmaine Morris, CEO/Founder, Black Monarch Entertainment (THE LAST OG)

Sierra McDonald, Manager of Development & Original Programming, WeTV (BRIDEZILLAS)

Liam Oznowich, Writer/Coordinator (SUPERGIRL, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT)

In addition to these meetings, the winner will also receive unlimited access to Stage 32’s Educational resources, be promoted on Stage 32’s social media, and have their complete portfolios and 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 and 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 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: August 18th, 2022

Early Bird Deadline: September 14th, 2022

Regular Deadline: October 12th, 2022

Final Deadline EXTENDED: November 14th, 2022

Quarterfinalist Announcement: January 13th, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: January 27th, 2023

Finalist Announcement: February 10th, 2023

Winner Announcement: February 24th, 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 November 21st, 2022.

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 January 13th, 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 November 11th, 2022 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.

Judi Bell (Judge) - CEO, Iconic Media Productions

Judi Bell is the CEO of Iconic Media Productions, but she began her career in the Entertainment Industry as a child actor & model, performin on stage in Philadelphia and New York, before she began working on films in 1989. Judi has been involed in nearly every aspect of production and crew including: Producer, UPM, Line Producer, Director, 1^st AD, 2^nd AD, Script Supervisor, Production Designer, Prop Master, Set Decorator, Set Dresser, Art Director, Art Department Coordinator, Scenic Painter, Graphic Designer, Costume Designer, Costume Supervisor, & Publicist.

Judi has worked on feature films including FORREST GUMP, SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY, THE PATRIOT, PATCH ADAMS, THE GREEN MILE, THE NOTEBOOK G.I. JANE, CARRIE, THE TEMPEST, CHASERS, THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, FLY AWAY HOME, MAJOR LEAGUE: BACK TO THE MINORS, BLACK DOG, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, LOLITA, THE GIFT, and many more. She has been involved in TV Productions including "Brothers & Sisters", as well as several shorts, music videos, & commercials.

Judi Bell is also the owner of Advantage Talent Management, which represents clients whose work includes: WINDRIVER, "Yellowstone", "Youth & Consequences", TREK: THE MOVIE, BED AND BREAKFAST, "Insecure", "Friends", and more!

 

Judi also worked with Paramount Studios for 3 years, has been involved with Sundance since 2005, and has owned and operated a successful Hollywood prop-house for over 10 years. In 2017, Judi expanded her industry base to include Utah. Judi is passionate about helping others and making a positive difference.

 

Emily Cameron (Judge) - Literary Coordinator, Innovative Artists

Emily Cameron is the Literary Coordinator at Innovative Artists and an Agent Trainee with keen insight on what studios and networks look for while staffing. She communicates regularly with various studio executives and producers in order to always have the most up to date info on the goings-on in the world of television.

Previously, Emily held positions at CBS Films, Blumhouse TV, Big Beach, Film 44/45 among others prior to her role at Innovative Artists.

An alumna of Chapman University with a B.A. in both Screenwriting and French, Emily is a fan of all forms of storytelling but of course has a passion for film and television.

Greer Stanley (Judge) - Creative Executive, Formerly of 3dot Productions

Greer Stanley is a queer female film and television executive at 3dot Productions, Liza Chasin’s production company. The company has a First Look development deal with Netflix for features and Endeavor Content for Television Series.

 

Greer developed the hit Paramount film THE LOST CITY with Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, and Brad Pitt, as well as the Netflix limited series "ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL" with alongside David E. Kelley.

 

Additionally the company is currently producing the Susannah Grant film, LONELY PLANET for Netflix and STILLWATER, starring Matt Damon. For television, the company most recently executive produced HBO Max’s "MADE FOR LOVE" and Showtime’s "THE LOUDEST VOICE".

 

Previous to 3dot, Greer worked in film development at Color Force which produced "CRAZY RICH ASIANS" and "THE GOLDFINCH". She started her career at William Morris Endeavor in the motion picture literary and indie film financing departments.

 

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Greer graduated from UT Austin and moved to LA in 2015 to pursue creative producing, where she has garnered over seven years of film and television development experience.

Samantha Schifrien (Mentor) - Development Executive, 93 Cedar

Samantha is the Development Executive at Untitled Entertainment with Michael Rosenberg the executive behind prolific series, including "Hell on Wheels," "Rogue," and "Klondike." Samantha works directly with Michael to find and develop projects for sale to cable networks.

Earlier this year, Untitled brought in Michael and Samantha to help further build out the management/production company’s television business. They are looking for television projects to find for Untitled's massive roster of on-screen talent.

Rosenberg has worked on features including Sundance Jury Prize-winner TREASURE ISLAND, and is best known for executive producing highly successful television series. Rosenberg previously served as EVP U.S. Scripted Television and SVP Original Scripted Series Programming for Entertainment One. He oversaw eOne’s TV Development, Current Programming and Production department.

Previously, Samantha worked in International Television Production at NBCUniversal, on the series "Resurrection" for ABC, and Brillstein-Grey Entertainment.

She is a graduate of the USC Business-Cinematic Arts Joint Degree Program, her experience ranges from lit management to international television.

 

Autumn Bailey-Ford (Judge) - Producer, Autumn Bailey Entertainment

Autumn Bailey- Ford is a passionate, seasoned producer of film and television. The Pennsylvania native has a knack and specialty for independent film production and distribution and in 2018, produced the award-winning documentary Maynard about the civil rights icon Maynard Jackson. Several of her films have won numerous awards and acclaim, some include Mine 9, and Trading Paint, starring John Travolta and Shania Twain. Her serious commitment to high quality entertainment makes her one of today’s most sought-after indie producers. She is the founder of Autumn Bailey Entertainment (ABE), one of the few women-owned production companies in the south east region. She has a knack for finding amazing projects and taking them from script to screen or book to screen. It is a mission of ABE to help artists realize their creative dreams. She has optioned several projects and currently has three shows in studio development.

Recently, she has expanded her brand to include a west coast division and co-founded Prominent Productions with Cameron Burnett, son of Hollywood producer Mark Burnett. Under the helm of ABE and Prominent, Mrs. Bailey- Ford has over 30 films under her belt and six projects being produced in 2020. With Prominent’s goal to tell diverse stories that impact change, Mrs. Bailey- Ford saw it necessary to step into international waters and in 2019, she produced her first international film, shot entirely in Tanzania, Africa. Her second international project will be shot in London fall of 2020.

Mrs. Bailey- Ford has a passion for giving back and connecting individuals from various cultures to achieve their goals in entertainment. She turned her passion into a reality when she founded Get Connected, an Atlanta monthly industry mixer that, for a decade, was one Atlanta’s largest networking opportunities for entertainment newcomers and seasoned professionals. In addition to this, Mrs. Bailey- Ford also founded the Georgia Entertainment Gala in 2013, attracting over 1800 people to the City of Atlanta annually to celebrate Georgia’s talent in film and television. This gala, is supported by the city of Atlanta, community and corporate leaders and major national corporations. Her commitment to community service has led Autumn to be a member of the Producer Guild of America, Women in Film LA and Atlanta, Black women in film and Reel divas. She is currently a board member for the Atlanta film festival and a past board member of the New York Latino Film Festival. Mrs. Bailey- Ford is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Malibu Film Festival Producer award, Atlanta’s Who’s Who, PVIFF Rising Star Producer Award and Upscale Magazine’s Top 25 Entertainment Industry People. Through hard work, faith, dedication and doing good business, Mrs. Bailey-Ford is certain to continue breaking through barriers with indie-film communities across the United States and abroad.

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.

Cindy Villarreal (Judge) - Producer, Majestic Productions

Cindy Villarreal is the founder of Majestic Productions, a Majestic Worldwide Productions brand. The brand oversees a portfolio including a production company, music publishing and licensing division, talent management, and a film/gaming studio.

 

Cindy is a versatile, network executive producer and showrunner with 30 years of entertainment experience in new media, episodic TV, and feature films overseeing projects for many broadcasting networks including the CW, Viacom, Verizon Go90, CBS, Alloy Media, NFL and Awesomeness TV among others for distribution. Villarreal is listed as one of 100 Most Influential Hispanics, by Hispanic Business Magazine and credited as one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women by Austin Business Journal. In 2019, Villarreal spearheaded diversity content within Viacom producing hit shows including My Dream Quinceañera and Taking the Stands. She is a Streaming TV pioneer in the OTT market having founded the Cheer Channel Television Network in 2009, a gamified, immersive streaming platform. She is an A-Z producer distributing original content to both major TV and new media networks. A passionate storyteller, Villarreal is a screenwriter and consults with over 100 writers for both TV and feature film.

She is also the creator and executive producer of the Teen Hit Series, Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader as well as the producer and executive producer of several scripted film productions. Among them is legendary creator Garry Marshall's very last screenplay now in development, Marriage is for the Byrds, alongside Garry's son and producing partners, Scott Marshall and Heather Hall. Villarreal is a key writer on The Seer, a faith-based film moving into production in 2023. She is also writing the English screenplay adaptation of internationally waiting film, The Lost Ship. She is the executive producer of the feature film, Wild Goose Lodge, a historical drama, which won Best Film Overall at the Cardiff International Film Festival and is the Executive Producer on numerous TV films in development.

Brodrick Haygood (Judge) - Producer, Moon Howler

Brodrick Haygood is a Producer and principal of Moon Howler.

 

He is currently packaging multiple films with Zero Gravity producer of "THE OZARKS" and Producer Kyle Benn - former Lionsgate Studio Executive who supervised THE HUNGER GAMES, SAW, JOHN WICK and LALA LAND.

 

Brodrick is also in negotiations with legendary Producer Arthur Sarkissian (THE RUSH HOUR Series, THE FOREIGNER, THE PROTEGE for a theatrical-release action and adventure film. He started his career as a screenwriter.

Olivia Charmaine Morris (Judge) - CEO & Founder, Black Monarch Entertainment

After receiving her BFA in Film & TV Production from Tisch, OLIVIA CHARMAINE “O” MORRIS began her career specializing in comedy development on the business side of children’s animated television. In her role before joining Simpson Street as the Senior Director of Development & Production, she was a development executive of Original Scripted Programming at TBS (WarnerMedia). There, she strategized as to what’s next, delivered what's new, and pulled in fresh talent while also managing and maintaining current shows, such as "The Last OG" starring Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish.

 

In the summer of 2020, Olivia left Simpson Street to create her own production company, Black Monarch Entertainment. Olivia believes that media should be as empowering as it is entertaining, and has gained a creative edge by highlighting “media with a message.” She’s committed to elevating diverse stories in all of her artistic endeavors, and has proven that no voice is too small.

Sierra McDonald (Judge) - Manager, Development & Original Programming, WeTV

Sierra London McDonald is the Manager of Development and Original Programming at WEtv. In this role, she helps create and develop fresh new programming for the network.

Owned by AMC Networks since its September 1997 launch, it is oriented mainly tManager, Development & Original Programmingowards lifestyle and entertainment programming and diversity-driven programming. The

Prior to joining WEtv, Sierra worked across development, programming and production for Discovery, NBCUniversal and VH1. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in TV/Film Production from Howard University and proudly serves as a mentor and volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters Of America in Newark NJ.

Liam Oznowich (Judge) - Writer,

Liam Oznowich works in the office of the showrunner for the series "SUPERGIRL".

Formerly, Liam was the in the office of the showrunner for the series "VENERY OF SAMANTHA BIRD", which is being developed through Lionsgate, Paramount TV, and Starz.

Previously, Liam was in the writer’s room of the HBO Max series THE FLIGHT ATTENDENT starring and produced by Kaley Cuoco. Cuoco plays a flight attendant who wakes up hungover in a hotel room overseas next to a dead man. Unable to piece the night together, she begins to wonder if she could be the killer.

Previously, Liam worked on the literary side at A3 Artists Agency, and in development at Paramount Television, Mandeville Films and Zero Gravity Management.

Kyle Bowles (Judge) - Creative Executive, MACRO Film Studios

Kyle Bowles is a Creative Executive at MACRO, the next generation, multi-platform media company founded by former WME Partner, Charles D. King. In his current role, Bowles helps manage MACRO Film Studios’ slate of film projects – which have garnered fifteen Academy Award nominations and three wins since the company’s founding in 2015 – and identifies new material and creatives for potential development, production, and/or financing.

Bowles joined MACRO in 2019 as Film & Television Coordinator, working under current Executive Vice President of Film Production and Development, Poppy Hanks, and former President of Production, Kim Roth. During this period, Bowles supported the development and production of numerous films including Warner Bros. Pictures’ Judas and the Black Messiah, directed by Shaka King and starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield; Blast Beat directed by Esteban Arango, which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival; and Blue Bayou directed by and starring Justin Chon, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and is currently being distributed by Focus Features. Bowles also supported MACRO’s forthcoming They Cloned Tyrone, directed by Juel Taylor and starring John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris, which will debut on Netflix in 2022.

Prior to MACRO, Bowles assisted Michael Mann at Forward Pass, Inc. He began his career in the mailroom at The Gersh Agency and previously as an intern at Mandalay Pictures. Bowles is a graduate of Villanova University and celebrates his Black, Mexican, and Angelino roots as a native of Inglewood, CA.