The FUNNIEST TV Comedy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!
Last year, our TV Comedy Contest Winners Maxwell Gay & Tucker Flodman signed to Literary Agency IAG who got them hired on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!
Ever dreamt of seeing your TV Comedy script come to life and 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 6th Annual Stage 32 TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great TV Comedy pilot!
Open to 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 with legendary Producers behind iconic series like DIE HART, BLOCKBUSTER, DAVE, & THE VINCE STAPLES SHOW!
"This contest represents our commitment to championing TV comedy voices," said Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto. "Despite what pessimists claim, comedy series remain essential to every major platform's strategy. Audiences are hungry for fresh comedic perspectives, whether that's sharp satire, heartfelt dramedies, or bold ensemble comedies that push boundaries. By celebrating TV comedy writers, we're creating pathways for talent that traditional development pipelines have consistently overlooked. Through Stage 32's global network of 1.3 million creators, we're ensuring that original comedic storytelling connects directly with the executives and producers eager to develop it."
"Our contest is a dedicated launchpad built specifically for TV writers," added Geoffroy Faugérolas, Stage 32's Director of Development Services. "Winners gain immediate industry credibility and the type of recognition that opens doors with executives and producers actively developing new series. Our jury includes working professionals who go beyond script evaluation. They package projects and champion writers whose work resonates with them. This offers unprecedented direct access to the gatekeepers and tastemakers shaping what gets greenlit, particularly for writers who've struggled to break through traditional industry barriers."
Comedy is a staple of TV entertainment that brings us together through laughter. From the relatable family adventures of MODERN FAMILY, to the totally cringe and spastic outbursts of IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, to the witty quips and eyebrow raises of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, audiences can’t get enough exciting comedic storytelling. This year alone, beloved TV series like THE COMEBACK and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE have brought us delightfully funny new seasons, while new shows like ROOSTER and THE BURBS are taking couch potatoes by storm. The appetite for amazing TV shows 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 TV Comedy scripts! Classic family sitcoms? Witty, goofy character driven stories? Buddy comedy adventures? Adult animated laugh riots? Genre-twisting dramedies with unique points of view? The next legendary comedy star vehicle? We want to see it all!
We’re looking for TV pilots scripts like:
THE STUDIO, TED LASSO, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, PEN15, RAMY, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, BOJACK HORSEMAN, BIG MOUTH, FAMILY GUY, THE SIMPSONS, THE GOLDBERGS, 2 BROKE GIRLS, INSECURE, TWO AND A HALF MEN, FLEABAG, 30 ROCK, THE OFFICE, PARKS N REC, GIRLS, FRASIER, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, MYTHIC QUEST, ANIMAL CONTROL, ROOSTER, DTF ST. LOUIS, BEEF, and more!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original TV ideas that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats!
For the last 15 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 TV Comedy 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:
-- Luke Kelly-Clyne, Head of Studio @ HartBeat Productions (Kevin Hart's company)
-- Manager/Producer Tom Ratiner (works with Warner, Paramount, BBC, Dreamworks)
Additional Judges:
-- Breanne Washington, Producer & Dev Exec, (BLOCKBUSTER, THE UPSHAWS, THE VINCE STAPLES SHOW)
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
We will act like your manager, until we help you land one!
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 TV Comedy 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 3rd Annual TV Comedy winners, the writing duo of Tucker Flodman & Maxwell Gay, signed with a Literary Agent Joe Fronk of IAG thanks to a meeting Stage 32 set them up on. After barely a year as clients, Joe got Tucker & Max hired as Staff Writers on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!
Our 4th Annual TV Comedy winner, Matt Hyams was recently featured in People Magazine for going viral after impersonating his perimenopausal wife on Instagram.
Our 5th Annual TV Comedy winner, Mike Wills gained massive traction on his winning script RECOVERY TIME and took a full slate of meetings in LA with managers and producers from Evoke Entertainment, Point Fake, Happy Place TV, Kronicle Media, and more -- all actively working on and looking for television comedy content!
Our 1st Annual Winner Jeffrey Thompson went on to work in the writer's room of the popular TV series, THE GOLDBERGS, and rose up the ranks to a Staff Writer contributing on 22 episodes of the ABC sitcom!
Stage 32 Contests Launch Careers
Recent Winners Making Waves:
-- 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!
-- 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.
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 (11th Annual New Blood Winner)
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.
TV Comedy series 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!
