Stage 32 is proud to present the 3rd Annual Romantic Comedy Screenwriting Contest!

In a classic romantic comedy, two unlikely individuals find themselves entangled in a series of humorous and endearing mishaps as they navigate the unpredictable journey of love, ultimately discovering that true happiness lies in each other's company.  All-time classics like SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, and NOTTING HILL remind us of the lengths to which we'll go for true love, while new age love stories like LOVE AGAIN, ANYONE BUT YOU, and EMILY IN PARIS remind us that love's sometimes just around the corner. Audiences are always ready for that next Rom-Com movie hit -- and we want it be YOURS!

Open to features and pilots! Stage 32 won't let your Romantic Comedy be left out!

If you have a romantic comedy that needs to be made, 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!

Our Grand Prize winner will:

- Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with top industry execs currently working in the industry, at companies like Sandstone Artists, Neon Kite Management, Affirmative Entertainment, et al, with credits including SEX EDUCATION, WEDDING SEASON, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, BECKY and more!
- 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 one 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 Rom Com 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, Jenna D'Angelo gained a lot of traction on her winning script LADY PLAYER and is currently taking a full slate of meetings with managers and producers, now that the WGA strike has finally ended.
- 1st Annual Romantic Comedy Contest winners Callie & Richard Zelniker, signed with Lanette Mastandrea at Sovereign Talent Group, whose client credits include FRIENDS and SHE HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW. They are also currently working with a producer they met through Stage 32 to develop their script!

Awards & Prizes

Our Grand Prize Winner will be mentored for 1 year by Jim Strouse, the Writer/Director of the hit Romantic Comedy LOVE AGAIN starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan and Celine Dion

Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with judges including:
-- TAMMY HUNT, Producer & Manager, SANDSTONE ARTISTS (BECKY, WOMEN LIKE US)
-- JAY GLAZER, Manager & Producer, NEON KITE (SEX EDUCATION, ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME)
-- NICHOLAS BOGNER, Literary Manager, AFFIRMATIVE ENTERTAINMENT (WEDDING SEASON, NO STRINGS ATTACHED)
-- LEYLA DAHM, Producer, GAZEBO SPRINGS (TO THE END, SONGS OF SOLOMON)
-- KELLY MCKENDRY, Producer, AUGUST POINT PRODUCTIONS (MENDING THE LINE)
-- MCKENNA MARSHALL, Producer, MARSHALL ARTS (JANE, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH)
-- JALESSA JONES, Development Executive (CRUEL SUMMER, YELLOWJACKETS)
-- LISKA OSTOJIC, Head of Development, 120E FILMS (TEST PATTERN, PAPER TIGER)
-- MICAH BROCKER, Literary Manager, CORVISIERO LITERARY AGENCY (client credits include FOREVER MY GIRL, THE MAZE RUNNER series)

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: February 15th, 2024

Early Bird Deadline: March 13th, 2024

Regular Deadline: April 3rd, 2024

Final Deadline: April 24th, 2024

Quarterfinalist Announcement: June 28th, 2024

Semifinalist Announcement: July 19th, 2024

Finalist Announcement: August 2nd, 2024

Winner Announcement: August 16th, 2024

Rules & Terms

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.