The LONGEST RUNNING Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!
Ever dreamt of seeing your Sci-Fi/Fantasy script come to life on the big screen or stream on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality!
We're proud to announce the 10th Annual Stage 32 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great Sci Fi or Fantasy script!
Open to Feature Film & TV Pilot Scripts!
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 set up on VIP mentorship meetings industry professionals who’ve worked on iconic Sci-Fi shows like SEVERANCE, SILO, WORLD WAR Z, IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE and more!
"This contest embodies our dedication to elevating Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres," said Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto. "Audiences consistently prove their hunger for bold Sci-Fi and Fantasy storytelling. By championing original Sci-Fi and Fantasy voices, we're building bridges to opportunity for talented writers across the globe. We're here to make sure that incredible Sci-Fi and Fantasy voices reach the executives, managers, and producers actively developing the next generation of Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories."
Science Fiction and Fantasy endure throughout entertainment for their rich ability to introduce audiences to new worlds. From the intensity and action of RINGS OF POWER, to the totally wild and original concept of SEVERANCE, to the dangerous power plays and high stakes of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, audiences can’t get enough exciting Science Fiction & Fantasy storytelling. This year alone, Sci-Fi films like PROJECT HAIL MARY and DISCLOSURE DAY proved the genre can still smash at the box office. The appetite for amazing Science Fiction and Fantasy projects is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
We’re on the lookout for all types of Sci-Fi and Fantasy scripts! Galaxy spanning space operas? Atmospheric new world explorations? Bold time jumping adventures? Genre-twisting experimental concepts? The next legendary dragon empire? We want to see it all!
We are looking for feature film scripts like:
PROJECT HAIL MARY, DUNE, DISCLOSURE DAY, SNOWPIERCER, ARRIVAL, 12 MONKEYS, STAR WARS, GRAVITY, FINCH, FOE, INTERSTELLAR, PRIMER, AD ASTRA, THE MIDNIGHT SKY, REBEL MOON, LOOPER, OBLIVION, DAMSEL, THE ELECTRIC STATE, CADDO LAKE, STARSHIP TROOPERS, TENET, INFINITY POOL, THEY CLONED TYRONE, THE ADAM PROJECT, and more!
As well as TV pilot scripts like:
SEVERANCE, DOCTOR WHO, FOR ALL MANKIND, FOUNDATION, GEN V, 3-BODY PROBLEM, BLACK MIRROR, SILO, COMMON SIDE EFFECTS, STAR TREK, THE MANDALORIAN, THE LAST OF US, THE EXPANSE, THE WITCHER, RINGS OF POWER, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, DEVS, SEE, MYTHIC QUEST, LOVE DEATH & ROBOTS, MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS, THE INSTITUTE, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, FALLOUT, THE BIG DOOR PRIZE, and more!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original Sci-Fi/Fantasy ideas that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats!
For the last 13 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.
If you have a Sci Fi or Fantasy 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!
This year's Judges & Mentors include:
-- William Rosenfeld, Producer, Such Content (IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE)
-- Shelby White, Producer, Peculiar Pictures (SEVERANCE, SILO)
-- David J. Harris, Producer, Harris Films (SECURITY, THE PROTECTOR)
-- Loni Rodgers, Producer & Development Executive (THE LAKE, THREE PINES)
-- Ewan Dunbar, Producer, Red Stag Entertainment (WORLD WAR Z)
-- Sam J. Brown, Producer (THE WITCHER, THE RATS: A WITCHER TALE)
-- And more to come!
The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will receive:
-- Career Accelerator Prize Package ($4,000 value) including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and comprehensive education resources
-- Personal Mentorship Track with dedicated 1:1 career development sessions from our success team
-- Industry Marketing Campaign promoting winner to our exclusive roster of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives
-- Strategic Backing where Stage 32 and the winner will collaborate to prepare your project to take directly to market
Our Finalists will receive:
Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $1,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have your logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 2,500+ 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!
Our Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenwriting Contest Winners See Results
Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 13 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?
Our 7th Annual winner, Josh Miller toured the town with his winning script TIME TOURISTS and two more of his scripts, one of which earned him an option agreement with Sandstone Artists! Josh then signed with Literary Manager Tamer Ahsan of Zero Gravity Management!
Our 8th annual winner Glenn Acosta took his winning script CRYOLIFE out on a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Zero Gravity Management, Thruline Entertainment, Safehouse Pictures, Red Stag Entertainment, and more!
Last year's winner, Jenn Fonteyn gained traction on her winning script DEATH IS MY SHADOW and she took a full slate of mentorship meetings with Producers and Showrunners on shows such as THE WITCHER, STARGATE SG-1, VAN HELSING, SEVERANCE, and more - all actively working on and looking to meet new sci-fi/fantasy writers!
Stage 32 Contests Launch Careers
Recent Winners Making Waves:
-- Travis J. Opgenorth - Script optioned by Broken Time Entertainment and signed with Persistent Entertainment after Stage 32 introduced him to nearly a dozen industry pros.
-- Film & TV Comedy Winner Ted Sperling signed a shopping agreement with Pathfinder Media on his winning script TREASURE INC!
-- Diversity Talent Accelerator Winner Micheal S. Camp signed a shopping agreement with Color Farm Media on his winning script THE PERFECT KISSER!
-- TV Comedy Winners Maxwell Gay & Tucker Flodman - Signed with Literary Agent Joe Fronk of IAG (setup by Stage 32) who got them hired as Staff Writers on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!
-- Tanya Klein & Jim Cirile - Script set up for production with $1.5M budget, Lucas Heyne attached to direct.
-- Christina Pamies - Signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager Jake Wagner, then hired by StudioCanal to adapt BAGHEAD (now streaming on Shudder/AMC+).
-- Kevin Bachar - Winning script became THE INHABITANT (2022), produced by Lionsgate and released on Hulu.
-- Jeffrey Wright - Staffed in the Writer's Room of THE GOLDBERGS
Career-Changing Representation:
-- TV Drama Winner Katie McClung - Signed with literary manager Chloe Morris of 42 MP
-- Sci-Fi Winner Josh Miller - Signed with literary manager Tamer Ashan of Zero Gravity Management
-- Rom Com Finalist Henry Sawyer-Foner - Signed with literary manager Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment!
-- New Blood Winner Richard Doyle (Australia) - Signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield
-- Comedy Winner Diana Wright - Signed with The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency
-- New Blood Winner Glenn Forbes - Secured representation with Infinity Management International
-- New Blood Winners Alyssa & Griffin Devine - Signed with HG5 Entertainment, writing 2 scripts with 1 going into production
-- Comedy Winner Greg Mania - Signed with Cohn/Torgan Management,
-- New Blood Finalist Frank Ponce - Signed with 3 Arts Entertainment, script picked up by Atlas Entertainment, sold Evel Knievel series to USA Network
The Stage 32 Difference: Winners receive meetings with managers, agents, and producers - not just a trophy. Real careers launched, real movies made, real representation secured.
"Stage 32 isn't about a quick win and a pat on the back. They're serious about opening doors." - Travis J. Opgenorth
Still don't believe us?
Previous Contest 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.
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 & Villains Entertainment.
Our 1st TV Drama Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!
Layla's advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"
At Stage 32, we will set you up on more meetings and put you in front of more Hollywood executives who are actively working in the industry than anyone else!
Stage 32 has launched the careers of countless writers, helping them secure representation, land paid gigs, and see their scripts come to life. Could this be the year your career takes off? Our previous winners have gone on to work with major studios, sign with top managers, and see their films produced.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy stories are bigger and better than ever, and we’re here to make sure your script rises to the top. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be discovered—enter now and let us champion your story!
What Are You Waiting For? Submit Now!
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Danny Weiss
November 2018 -
October 2018
