The ONLY Animation Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!
Ever dreamt of seeing your animated 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!
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 TV shows like FAMILY GUY, MINIONS, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, and 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 your 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!
Animation combines adventurous storytelling, colorful character development, and visually stunning images to create immersive, memorable experiences. From the action and adventure of DOGMAN, to the totally wild hijinx of THE SMURFS, to the hybrid live action/CGI animation of 2025 hits like MINECRAFT and LILO & STITCH. This year alone, classic franchises like ZOOTOPIA and THE BAD GUYS have upcoming sequels scheduled for release, proving a great story can last for decades. The appetite for amazing animation projects is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
We are on the hunt for ALL types of animated scripts - Galaxy spanning adventures? Family friendly fun for all ages? Talking pets? Bold futuristic worldbuilding? Experimental dark comedies? The next legendary adult animation classic? We want to see it all!
We are looking for Feature scripts like:
INSIDE OUT, TOY STORY, MONSTERS INC, KUNG FU PANDA, THE INCREDIBLES, SPIDER-VERSE, RATATOUILLE, SUPER MARIO BROS, PUSS IN BOOTS, WOLFWALKERS, MEGAMIND, AKIRA, SPIRITED AWAY, DOGMAN, FLOW, THE WILD ROBOT, WALLACE & GROMIT, HIT PIG, MEMOIR OF A SNAIL, and more!
As well as TV pilot scripts like:
SPONGE BOB SQUAREPANTS, BOB'S BURGERS, DORA THE EXPLORER, KING OF THE HILL, HEY ARNOLD, FUTURAMA, ARCHER, THE FLINTSTONES, LOVE DEATH ROBOTS, INVINCIBLE, STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH, SECRET LEVEL, THE PROUD FAMILY, FAMILY GUY, RICK & MORTY, THE BOONDOCKS and more!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original animated ideas that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats!
For over a decade, Stage 32 Contests have been a launchpad for success stories. We’ve helped writers land representation, secure options, and get produced. Now, it’s your turn. If you’ve got a one-of-a-kind TV show burning inside you, this is your moment to shine. Let us help take your writing career to the next level!
Our Grand Prize Winner will:
-- Meet with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like FAMILY GUY, DORA THE EXPLORER, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, MINIONS and more!
-- Work with Stage 32 to develop a market-ready pitch deck for your winning script.
-- Have your name, logline, and bio sent out and pitched to an exclusive roster of agents and managers actively seeking new talent.
-- Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, gaining access to over 3,000 hours of educational content and networking with industry heavyweights.
-- Continued support from the Stage 32 team, who will work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.
But that’s not all — check full contest page on Stage 32 for all our prize details!
And if you make it to the Finals, you’ll still get massive exposure to key industry players. Finalists will receive a free month in the Stage 32 Writers’ Room and have their logline and bio included in our sought-after Look Book, sent to over 500 industry execs!
Our Mentors this year include:
--Neil Wade, Senior Manager for Animated Current Series and Development, Nickelodeon (DORA THE EXPLORER, FAMILY GUY)
-- Jason Stiff, Producer, Bento Box Animation (SPONGE BOB SQUAREPANTS, FAIRLY ODD PARENTS, KING OF THE HILL, INVADER ZIM)
-- Josh Mandel, Senior Development Executive, Amazon Kids+ (MINONS: THE RISE OF GRU, ANGRY BIRDS MYSTERY ISLAND)
-- Alfredo Marun, Independent Animation Producer (KIPO & THE WONDERBEASTS, DRAGONS: THE NINE REALMS)
-- Jazmine Hill, Manager of Development, 20th Television Animation (FAMILY GUY, BOB'S BURGERS, THE SIMPSONS)
-- Matīss Kaža, Producer & Writer, Dreamwell Studio (the Academy Award winning animated film FLOW)
Our Animation 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 5th Annual Stage 32 New Voices in Animation winners, Chris & Melinda Saranchock gained massive traction on their winning script SAVING CINDERELLA, as they took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Bento Box Animation, Amazon Kids+, The Gotham Group, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for animation content.
Our 4th Annual Stage 32 New Voices in Animation winners, brothers Mark & Zeke Nelson won with their action-comedy script DETECTIVE GIZMO.
"Couldn't be happier! It's like an early Christmas present!" - Mark Nelson, 4th Annual Stage 32 New Voices in Animation Winner
"Everyone [I met with] gave me great advice on how to navigate the animation industry. As a marginalized writer, I'm very grateful a contest like this exists, allowing new voices to break in." - Tayler Carter, 2nd Annual New Voices in Animation Winner
Recent contest winners, like Bill Poore, Travis Opgenorth, Jimmy Miller, and Kayla Sun went on to sign with managers!
Our Grand Prize Winner Ben Gross, writer of THE LADIES' GUIDE TO HACKING met and worked with manager Daniel Vang from Good Fear Film + Management, was commissioned to write a script for Daniel Herther, VP of Development from Baker Entertainment Group!
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.
Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency!
Previous contest 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!
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.
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!
What Are You Waiting For? Submit Now!
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.
Animation is 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!
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January 2024
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February 2021
