4th Annual Female Driven Screenwriting Contest

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Wednesday, Feb 26TH 11:59PST Regular Deadline
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Anthony and I have done well in several screenwriting contests, but Stage 32 was the first to set us up with actual production companies and managers. That can’t be overstated.
Keith Strausbaugh Keith Strausbaugh

Contest Info

The ONLY Female Driven Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!

Over $50,000 in Prizes!

 

Ever dreamt of seeing your female driven script come to life on the big screen or streaming on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality!

Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $5,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be flown to LA to meet industry professionals who’ve worked on iconic female driven movies and shows like HE'S ALL THAT, MEET CUTE, NEW GIRL, DEAD TO ME, SELENA: THE SERIES, TRUTH BE TOLD, and many more!

Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $2,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have their logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure!

But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!

Open to Feature Film and TV Pilot Scripts!

Captivating female driven movies and shows are a staple of modern entertainment. From the raw passion and intensity of ANORA, to the totally wild and original concept of THE SUBSTANCE, and the enormous franchise revamps of FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA and A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE, audiences can’t get enough powerful female driven storytelling. Last year alone, female driven films like WICKED and IT ENDS WITH US proved female driven movies can rock the box office. The appetite for amazing female driven movies and show is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!

We’re on the lookout for all types of female driven scripts! Deep, thought-provoking dramas? Gritty, fast-paced action movies? Tearjerking romances? The next legendary road trip romp? We want to see it all!

Let last year's 3rd Annual Female Driven Contest Winner Ellen Warner O'Brien tell you why you should enter!

 

 

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:


 


Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: January 16th, 2025

Early Bird Deadline: February 5th, 2025

Regular Deadline: February 26th, 2025

Final Deadline: March 26th, 2025

 

Quarterfinalist Announcement: May 23rd, 2025

Semifinalist Announcement: June 6th, 2025

Finalist Announcement: June 20th, 2025

Winner Announcement: July 4th, 2025

 

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

Contest Prizes

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE PACKAGES INCLUDE:

WINNER: The Career Accelerator Package - $5,000 Value

  • Be flown to LA to meet with top industry pros, who have worked on projects like HE'S ALL THAT, MEET CUTE, NEW GIRL, DEAD TO ME, SELENA: THE SERIES, TRUTH BE TOLD, and more!
  • Script Development Package
    • Free detailed, comprehensive story notes on your script
    • Pitch deck development to help get your winning project market-ready for you to shop
    • Logline polish for your winning project
  • Career Development Package
    • Free Career Development call with a top Executive
    • Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
    • Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
    • Inclusion in the Stage 32 A-List - Get your work sent to a stable of top literary managers & agents actively seeking new talent!
  • Writer Branding Package
    • A punch-up of your professional bio
    • Headshot selection advice
    • Portfolio guidance
    • Portfolio branding tips
    • Social media branding tools
  • Education Package
    • Free 1-year Writer’s Room Membership
    • Stage 32 Webinar Library All-Access prize code (3,000+ hours of educational content)
    • Free Stage 32 Writing Lab of your choice with one-on-one mentoring with an executive
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Class
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification

 

FINALISTS: The Career Momentum Package - $2,500 Value

  • Career Development Package
    • Free Career Development call with a top Executive
    • Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
    • Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
    • Inclusion in the Stage 32 A-List - Get your work sent to a stable of top literary managers & agents actively seeking new talent!
  • Writer Branding Workshop with an Executive
    • A punch-up of your professional bio
    • Headshot selection advice
    • Logline polish for your finalist script
  • Education Package
    • Free 3-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • Free Stage 32 Writing Lab of your choice with one-on-one mentoring with an executive
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Class
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

 

SEMIFINALISTS: The Career Breakthrough Package - $1,000 Value

  • Education Package
    • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Class
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

 

QUARTERFINALISTS: The Career Elevation Package - $500 Value

  • Education Package
    • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
    • 1 Free webinar code

 

ALL ENTRANTS - $100 value

  • Education
    • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free webinar code

 

In addition to all that, all writers receive continued support from the Stage 32 team, who work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

Our Track Record

Our Female Driven Screenwriting Contest Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 12 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 contest winner, Ellen Warner O'Brien gained massive traction on her winning script TIGHT, as she took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Circle of Confusion, Gotham Group, Bellevue Production, Gramercy Park Entertainment, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for female driven stories.

 

1st Annual Female Driven contest winner, Jennifer Goldson, was signed by Dallaslyn Lamb at RAIN Management!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Annual Female Driven contest winner, Jimmy Miller, signed with Marc Manus at Persistent Entertainment! Then his Stage 32 winning script SLUGGER went on to become an Academy Nicholl Fellowship winner in 2024 as well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:

More Contest Winners would love to tell you why you should enter!

Previous winner, Christina Pamies, was signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager, Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the recently released film BAGHEAD, which was co-produced by The Picture Company and released via AMC+ Networks!

VIEW THE BAGHEAD (2024) TRAILER HERE! AVAILABLE NOW ON SHUDDER!

Our 3rd Annual Feature Drama winner Kelly Nugent signed with a manager at Wonder Street Entertainment after winning with her script THE OTHER MOTHER CRIED!

Our 6th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Jeff Galante signed with a manager at Primary Wave, and he is currently working on a slate of feature films with producers. Jeff's gone on to create/produce TV pilots for NBC and A&E and has consulted on projects for Ron Howard, Chris Moore, and Warner Bros animation.

Our 5th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Eric Jeske signed with a manager at Heroes & Villans Entertainment.

Winner Jonathan Jordan was signed by major literary agency Verve, and worked on a script currently in production through them. He has also signed with a manager and is currently working on a new film.

Our 4th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Greg Mania was signed by Cohn/Torgan Management, and has since published a memoir called Born To Be Public, which was named NPR’s Best Book of 2020.

Previous Contest Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!

She shares her advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"

 

Click the "Success Stories" link here for even more testimonials from our past winners!

Contest Judges

Chris Coggins (Judge)

Chris Coggins (Judge) - Literary Manager, Heroes & Villians Entertainment

Christine "Chris" Coggins is a Literary Manager and Producer at Heroes & Villains Entertainment, where she represents and guides the careers of writers and directors, while developing and producing media projects across all platforms. 

Chris got her start with Escape Artists Entertainment, where she started as a development assistant and rose up the ranks to Director of Development, and later Vice President. In her time there, Chris worked on and developed projects such as SEVEN POUNDS, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, THE WEATHER MAN, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, KNOWING and THE GREAT DEBATERS. She also earned producing credits on the films GREAT HOPE SPRINGS and THE BACK-UP PLAN. 

Chris later worked as a consultant and development executive at James Frey's Full Fathom Five, then Allison Shearmur Productions, where she worked on NERVE, BURIAL RITES, PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES, and a CINDERELLA reboot. Chris went on to work as Head of Development at Rock Paper Scissors, where she developed another full slate of Film & TV projects, before moving to EuropaCorp, as Vice President, Development and Production, working on projects for global audiences. 

Needless to say, Chris knows the ins and outs of the industry at every level and is adept at helping her clients navigate their way through film and TV projects from many perspectives.

Dallaslyn Lamb (Judge)

Dallaslyn Lamb (Judge) - Literary Manager, RAIN Managment

Dallaslyn Lamb is a Literary Manager at RAIN Management which represents Emmy, Golden Globe, PGA, Tony, WGA, DGA, Humanitas, BAFTA, NAACP Image, Peabody, People’s Choice, James Beard Award winners Dallaslyn's current clients have written on LOPEZ VS LOPEZ, ONE MORE TIME, WARRIOR NUN, SELENA: THE SERIES, and THE BLACKLIST REDEMPTION. Dallaslyn signed Jennifer Godson from the Stage 32 community after Jennifer won our First Annual Female-Driven Screenwriting Contest. 
 
RAIN is founded on the simple idea that the artist comes first and believe their clients are One of One. RAIN has produced multiple projects across multiple mediums, collaborating on award-winning TV series, movies, documentaries, podcasts, and musicals.
 
Prior to joining RAIN, Dallaslynn was with Activist Artist Management and Art/Work Entertainment representing writers and directors and started her career as a Coordinator at Fortitude International. 
 
 
Matthew Chen (Judge)

Matthew Chen (Judge) - Producer, TRUTH BE TOLD, SURFACE

Matthew Chen is an experienced Producer who was the Senior Director of Development for Film & Television at Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, where he worked on numerous television and film projects, ranging from pitch to release and every stage of development/production/post in between.

Recent projects he worked on as executive and producer for Hello Sunshine include the Octavia Spencer-starring legal drama series TRUTH BE TOLD for Apple and Fifth Season/Chernin Entertainment, as well as the Gugu Mbatha-Raw starring psychological thriller series SURFACE for Apple.

Before Hello Sunshine, he worked for production companies Ethea Entertainment and Offspring Entertainment on a wide variety of film and television projects, including the film HE’S ALL THAT starring Addison Rae & Tanner Buchanan for Netflix and studio Miramax, the AFTER film series starring Josephine Langford & Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and the television series STEP UP: HIGH WATER for YouTube/Starz and Lionsgate.

Matthew is producing film and television and is looking for great stories that can be developed for streamers.

Reni Calister (Judge)

Reni Calister (Judge) - Chief Content Officer, Rock'n Robin Productions

Reni Calister is a two-time Emmy Award winning Producer and Executive and serves as the Chief Content Officer of Rock’n Robin Productions, the production company of ABC broadcaster Robin Roberts. Rock'n Robin Productions is currently expanding their slate to include feature and television projects.

Reni previously served as the Executive Vice President of Content TOGETHXR, a media company founded by renowned Olympians Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. Reni’s contributions extended to A Touch More, a production company founded by Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, where she helped launch the company which focuses on showcasing the stories of revolutionaries that shape culture.

Prior to her time at TOGETHXR, Reni worked at Rock’n Robin Productions as Head of Development, where she oversaw film and television productions for notable networks and platforms, including Disney+, Discovery+, ESPN, ABC, Lifetime, and the History Channel, among others. Reni’s career also includes working at Good Morning America, where she led Robin Roberts’ anchor team and traveled the globe to discover and share inspiring stories.

Reni’s media journey began at HBO Documentary Films, where she contributed to films that garnered prestigious awards, including the Peabody, Emmy, and Academy Award, establishing her passion for producing impactful and critically acclaimed content.

 

Samantha Olsson Shear (Judge)

Samantha Olsson Shear (Judge) - Development Executive/Producer, Zoic Pictures

Samantha Shear is a development executive and producer at Zoic Pictures, the content division of Emmy-winning global entertainment company Zoic Studios. She has close to two decades of experience creating and developing character-driven, visual stories in film, television and animation.

At Zoic, Shear is producing several feature film and television projects including the original screenplay SID at Amazon Studios featured in Deadline with Davis Entertainment to be directed by Ahern & Loughman (EXTRA ORDINARY) as well as the holiday film THE STOCKING STUFFER with Mattel Films.

Samantha was also Head of Film and Television Development at Kickstart Entertainment (THE BOYS, PREACHER).

In television, she is producing the YA Korean fantasy series SHE WAS THE FIRST with Sony Television and Rafe Judkins (WHEEL OF TIME) as well as arcane punk comic book series BATTLE CHASERS created by Joe Madureira and to be adapted by Derek Kolstad (JOHN WICK) with Alcon Entertainment.

Other current producing projects include THE BLACKSMITH, with AGC and producers Jon Shestack (GHOST OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST, AIR FORCE ONE) and Jeremy Stein (MORTAL KOMBAT, SENIOR YEAR) as well as THE TELLER, written and to be directed by Ben Ripley (SOURCE CODE) with Catchlight Studios.

Shear also produced the live action indie films SHADES OF RAY and BOUNTY KILLER. In animation, Shear was a Co-Executive Producer on the animated holiday specials DEAR DRACULA, FROZEN IN TIME, UNDER WRAPS, ABOMINABLE CHRISTMAS, THE NAUGHTY LIST and MONSTROUS HOLIDAY.

As a development executive, Shear has set up many projects over the years including television pilots DEMO at Syfy Channel, DEMONIKA at MTV, MOLLY at Lifetime and HENCH at NBC, WARD 6 with Cineflix, and SPACE TRASH at FTVS as well as feature films including THE SECRET TREE at Disney Channel, KISSING EZRA HOLTZ at Amazon, CRENSHAW based on the Katherine Applegate novel at Fox, MONSTER ATTACK NETWORK at Disney and the adaptation of the book 1421: THE YEAR CHINA DISCOVERED AMERICA with Warner Brothers China.

Shear has experience in comic book publishing as the editor of an indie comic publisher overseeing thirty-two unique graphic novel titles. She has moderated panels at SXSW and San Diego Comic Con on topics such as Women Writing in Genre and the Impact of AI on Creative Industries.

Jennifer McConnell (Judge)

Jennifer McConnell (Judge) - Creative Director & Producer, Turning Point

Jennifer McConnell is the Creative Director and Producer at Turning Point, a production company which is backed by Shaftesbury (who has a strategic partnership with AMC Networks) and is lead by former Endor boss Carlo Dusi and was recently announced in Deadline.

Turning Point develops and produces dramas for the domestic and international markets. It's partnership with Shaftesbury will enable both companies to explore worldwide co-production opportunities across the UK and Canada.

Jennifer is an Executive Producer working in British TV and has a long-standing career in development across different genres and broadcasters, from the BAFTA-winning WOLF HALL, to continuing drama EASTENDERS, thriller RIVIERA (SKY), and buddy cop show BULLETPROOF.

She also served as the Head of Development at Endor Productions under Seven One Studios. There she drove the expansion of Endor Productions' development slate and strengthened the creative strategy of the company as well as developed new projects of her own whilst continuing to prioritize high-end, talent-led drama with international potential. Prior to her role at Endor, Jennifer was a development consultant for Irish indie Subotica (AISHA, TERMINAL, and JOYRIDE) one of Ireland's leading film and TV production companies working with writers, directors and co-producers in the development and production of content for cinema and television, and was named a Broadcast Hotshot

She worked as a story producer for two series of SANDITON for PBS and ITV, before developing a slate with three project commitments from UK broadcasters. Jennifer has worked with established writers and talent in the UK landscape but loves working with new voices and helping them land their shows.

Jennifer has extensive experience working on British television projects and is working to develop more international projects.

Robyn Meisinger (Judge)

Robyn Meisinger (Judge) - Literary Manager & Producer, Anonymous Content

Robyn Meisinger is a veteran literary manager, producer, and partner at Anonymous Content with over 20 years experience working with writers. She was the co-founder of Madhouse Entertainment in 2006 and ran the company until joining Anonymous in 2019. 

Robyn's clients have written on shows like THE SOPRANOS, VEEP, LOS ESPOOKYS, WESTWORLD, THE DEUCE, and SILICON VALLEY for HBO/Max, AMERICAN HORROR STORY and THE LEAGUE for FX, THE WITCHER for Netflix, RIVERDALE, CHARMED, and SUPERGIRL for CWHOUSE, THE MICK, and NEW GIRL for FoxNCIS: NEW ORLEANS and PERSON OF INTEREST for CBSSTAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS and THE CHI for Paramount+, BEL-AIR for PeacockJACK RYAN for Amazon Prime VideoPOWER BOOK II: GHOST for STARZ, and SHOOTER for USA.

Robyn's clients have created shows like LOST (ABC), SENNA (NETFLIX), HUNG (HBO), BEFORE (Apple TV+), IMPULSE (YouTube Originals), BLACK LIGHTNING (CW), SEXY BEAST (PARAMOUNT+), SALVATION (CBS), and more.

Additionally, Robyn's clients have written movies like A BIGGER SPLASH, TIME CUT, ACCEPTED, ALLEGIANT, ASSASSIN'S CREED, THE MACHINIST, THE CRAZIES, REALITY BITES, FACE/OFF, LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER, ELLE, BENEDETTA, THE FAMILY, MONSTER-IN-LAW, MOTHER'S DAY, and many more!

As a producer, Robyn has produced or executive produced over a dozen film/TV projects, including McG's UGLIES starring Joey King and THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES starring Kurt Russell (NETFLIX), THE BOOGEYMAN (20th Century Studios), SLENDER MAN (Screen Gems), DEADFALL (Magnolia Pictures), Denis Villeneuve's PRISONERS (Warner Bros.), THE BOUNTY HUNTER starring Gerard Butler & Jennifer Aniston (Columbia Pictures), Joel Schumacher's BLOOD CREEK starring Henry Cavill & Michael Fassbender (Gold Circle Films), and TWISTED starring Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson, & Andy Garcia (Paramount Pictures).

Contest Rules

ENTRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Void where prohibited by law.

This Stage 32 Contest is an international contest. Must be 18 years or older to submit.

Entrant agrees to Stage32.com terms and conditions.

This Stage 32 Contest is not a game of chance. All material is read and reviewed by industry professionals.

All quarterfinalists, semi-finalists, finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays an Entrant can enter. The same screenplay cannot be submitted multiple times under different names. If so, you will be disqualified.

Entrant must not be an immediate family member or friend of any of the judges or their respective companies.

Entrant acknowledges that because of the judges' and mentors' position in the entertainment industry they receive numerous submissions of ideas, formats, stories, suggestions and the like and that many such submissions heretofore or hereafter received by them are similar to or identical to those developed by them or their employees or, if an agent, are otherwise available to them.

Entrant acknowledges that they will not be entitled to any compensation because of the use by judges or mentors of any such similar material.

Entrant acknowledges that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between Entrant and judges or mentors, and Entrant further acknowledges that no such relationships are established between Entrant and judges or mentors by reason of this contest entry.

Entrants must submit screenplays and payment online.

Entrants must upload their submission within 72 hours of entry purchase.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

No waivers are available for this contest.

 

SCREENPLAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Screenplays should be written in English and in standard industry format.

The rights to the Entrant’s screenplay should not have been previously optioned or sold.

The Entrant retains the rights to his or her screenplay at all times.

Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced.

The screenplay can be submitted with or without a title page and/or contact information.

After a screenplay is entered, no new drafts or corrected pages can be made by the Entrant unless it is confirmed in our records that the Entrant has paid for the "Resubmission" option.

Screenplay must be submitted as a PDF document.

Screenplay must be the original work of the Entrant and may not be based whole or in part on any fictional or non-fictional material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced for which the Entrant does not have rights. Neither Stage 32 nor its judges investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

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.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. Updated drafts will need to be sent to contests@stage32.com to be scored.

Winner Announcements

May 23
Quarter-Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jun 06
Semi-Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jun 20
Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jul 04
Contest Winners Announced
on Stage 32
* Announcement dates subject to change.

Contest Deadlines

Super Early Bird Deadline

Thursday, Jan 16 - 11:59 PM PST

Submission fee: $49.50

Early Bird Deadline

Wednesday, Feb 5 - 11:59 PM PST

Submission fee: $59.50

Regular Deadline

Wednesday, Feb 26 - 11:59 PM PST

Submission fee: $69.50

Final Deadline

Wednesday, Mar 26 - 11:59 PM PDT

Submission fee: $79.50

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