The ONLY Female Driven Screenwriting Contest is BACK!
Ever dreamt of seeing your female driven 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 5th Annual Stage 32 Female Driven Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great female driven script!
Open to Feature Film & TV Pilot Scripts!
Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $4,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be set up on VIP MENTORSHIP meetings literary managers whose clients have worked on iconic movies and shows like THE MAZE RUNNER, LAW & ORDER, FOUR GOOD DAYS, and more!
"This contest embodies our dedication to elevating women's narratives and the writers who tell them," said Stage 32 Managing Director Amanda Toney, who founded the contest in 2021. "The industry long avoided female-centered stories, despite audiences consistently proving their value otherwise. By championing female driven stories and women screenwriters, we're building bridges to opportunity for talent that gatekeepers have traditionally overlooked. We're here to make sure that femal voices reach the executives, managers, and producers eager to develop their work."
"This is a powerful platform specifically designed for women-centered stories," added Geoffroy Faugérolas, Stage 32's Director of Development. "Winners receive instant professional recognition, the kind of validation that creates meaningful connections with producers and executives seeking fresh female perspectives. Our jury comprises industry leaders who actively develop and champion talent they discover. This represents rare, direct access to decision-makers for writers who've previously faced barriers to entry."
Daring, thought-provoking female driven stories are a staple of modern entertainment. From the heartwarming laughter of FREAKIER FRIDAY, to the gripping tension of THE HOUSEMAID, and the romantic drama of MATERIALISTS, audiences can’t get enough powerful female-driven storytelling. This year alone, films like WICKED: FOR GOOD and LILO & STITCH have proven female driven movies can still rock the box office. The appetite for prolific female driven stories is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?
We’re on the lookout for all types of female driven scripts! Deep, thought-provoking dramas? Gritty, fast-paced action movies? Exciting genre twists? Tearjerking romances? The next legendary road trip romp? We want to see it all!
We’re looking for Female Driven film scripts like:
HAMNET, ANORA, LITTLE WOMEN, SENTIMENTAL VALUE, DIE MY LOVE, MATERIALISTS, THE SUBSTANCE, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE, BUGONIA, IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, THE FAVOURITE, BARBIE, ELLA MCCAY, THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, MEAN GIRLS, SWIPED, MY OLD ASS, BRIDE HARD, BABYGIRL, NIGHTBITCH, COMPANION, OH HI!, BRIDGET JONES DIARY, OCEAN'S 8, WICKED, MISS CONGENIALITY, ERIN BROKOVICH, and more!
We’re looking for Female Driven TV scripts like:
PLURIBUS, HACKS, THE CROWN, FLEABAG, THE HANDMAID'S TALE, POKER FACE, KILLING EVE, GILMORE GIRLS, THE WHITE QUEEN, THE MARVELOUS MS. MAISEL, BROAD CITY, BIG LITTLE LIES, GLOW, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, INSECURE, BRIDGERTON, ELSBETH, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and more!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original female driven 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 female driven 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 Mentors include:
-- Tessa Shaffer, Vice President - Head of Film & TV and Senior Literary Manager, Corvisiero Literary Agency
-- Dallaslyn Lamb, Literary Manager, King Lamb Entertainment
-- Lameese Hassen, Literary Manager, Marathon Management
Additional Judges:
-- Stacia Crawford, Director @ Lifetime, CMT, Hallmark, Netflix (THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN, DEAD SILENT)
-- Amrita Kalsi, Creative Executive (FOUR GOOD DAYS, INVINCIBLE, THE CW'S SIGHT UNSEEN)
-- 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 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?
Our 4th Annual Female Driven contest winner, Alexandra Fisher gained massive traction on her winning script SEA OF SOULS, as she took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Anonymous Content, Heroes & Villains Entertainment, Hello Sunshine, Zoic Pictures, et al -- all actively working on and looking for female driven stories!
Our 3rd Annual Female Driven contest winner, Ellen Warner O'Brien took meetings with her winning script TIGHT, getting herself in front of Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Circle of Confusion, Gotham Group, Bellevue Production, Gramercy Park Entertainment, and more!
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!
1st Annual Female Driven contest winner, Jennifer Goldson, was signed by mentor Literary Manager Dallaslyn Lamb of King Lamb Entertainment!
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.
-- 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:
-- Josh Miller - Signed with literary manager Tamer Ashan of Zero Gravity Management
-- Henry Sawyer-Foner - Signed with literary manager Nicholas Bogner through our 2025 Romantic Comedy contest!
-- Richard Doyle (Australia) - Signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield
-- Glenn Forbes - Secured representation with Infinity Management International
-- Alyssa & Griffin Devine - Signed with HG5 Entertainment, writing 2 scripts with 1 going into production
-- 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.
Female Driven 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!
