Stage 32 is thrilled to announce our 1st Annual True Story & Biopic Screenwriting Contest!

Open to both Feature Script and Television Pilots!

The Grand Prize Winner will be personally mentored by leading True Story & Biopic Producer Jim Young whose credits include critically acclaimed films

THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, LOVELACE, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, and more!

The Grand Prize Winner will also be flown to Hollywood to meet one-on-one with our judging and mentoring panel whose credits include True Story/Biopic hits GENIUS: ARETHA, FORENSIC FILES and upcoming limited series like THE POISONED CITY, and more!

ALL Finalists will receive exposure to our incredible panel of judges and have their titles and loglines featured in the Stage 32's Industry LookBook, which is sent to over 500 executives and professionals who work directly with Stage 32! Previous Stage 32 contest finalists have had their projects optioned and been signed for representation as a result of our industry lookbooks!

If the last few years are any indication, sometimes reality is even stranger than fiction - and certainly more dramatic. Some of the most interesting and unbelievable stories come straight from true life experiences. Recent hits like “HALSTON”, SPENCER, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE and NOMADLAND prove that True Stories and Biopics continue to capture the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere.

Whether your true story or biopic is meant to inspire, educate, or give audiences a glimpse into a world or a history they know nothing about - we want to hear from you!

It’s time to tell our outstanding judging panel your most unique and personal stories, or your take on history’s most prominent figures. Don’t miss this chance to have them read your work! This competition is open to both Feature Scripts and Television Pilots!

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 great True Story series and films in recent memory including GENIUS: ARETHA, THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, LOVELACE, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, FORENSIC FILES and more!

If you write True Stories or Biopics, this contest could launch your career! Whether your true story script centers on crime, fame, or everyday life, we want to see them all. Bring us those important stories that haven’t been told before, or a fresh take on a well known story. True stories are so marketable right now - let us get yours out there!

Now - exclusively through Stage 32 - you have the opportunity to meet industry professionals from these prolific companies who will have read your script!

Awards & Prizes

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet:

Jim Young, Producer (LOVELACE, THE CATCHER WAS A SPY)

Sam Sokolow, Executive Producer (GENIUS, MASTER OF CEREMONIES)

Michelle Alexandira, Producer/Distributor (ASK ME TO DANCE)

Chris Bellant, Literary Manager (DARK IRISH, THE POISONED CITY)

Phil Claroni, Producer (FORENSIC FILES, COPYCAT KILLERS)

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:

Gwenn Joyaux won the grand prize in the 5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest for her film Tomorrow Island and was signed by Le'Ander Nicholson from Believeland Management.

Ghana born, Montreal-based filmmaker Will Niava was one of the 5th Annual Stage 32
Short Film Contest winners for his film Zoo. Producer Jason Resnick (Serenity, After,
Destination Wedding) saw Will's film in the Stage 32 Short Film program and hired Will to work on co-directing a feature film.

Billion Dollar Production Company Mandalay Pictures optioned the script 99 Dreams Neon by Donnie Hobbie after Donnie connected with Creative Executive Will Raynor through Stage 32.

Writer Robert Levering's feature script, Discredited Citizen is now in development with John Goldwyn Productions ("Dexter", "Dopesick") after connecting through consultation at Stage 32.

Rules & Terms

What Types Of Scripts Can I Enter?

We are looking for compelling True Stories and Biopics of all subjects and genres. If your story is based on a true story or inspired by a true story, or centering on a real person, an event, or a period in history, we want to hear from you!

Feature Length Screenplays & Television Pilots:

This contest is open to Feature Length Screenplays and Television Pilots for Limited Series and Recurring Series.

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.

RESUBMISSION OPTION

Only entrants who purchase the "Resubmission Option" will be allowed to send a revised draft. This option is non-refundable and non-transferable.

This option is only good for a one-time use and only one revised draft can sent using this option.

Entrants must submit the revised draft of their script no later than 24 hours from close of the contest's Final Deadline.

To submit the revised script entrants must email writerhelp@stage32.com with their order number and the revised draft attached as a PDF.

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. No exceptions.

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.