The Longest Running Comedy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!

Ever dreamt of seeing your feature comedy script come to life on the big screen or streaming on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Our Grand Prize Winner will be flown to LA to meet industry professionals who’ve worked on iconic hits like THE HOLDOVERS, OLD DADS, CONFESS FLETCH, DIE HART, JOY RIDE, VACATION FRIENDS, and many more!

But that’s not all! Every finalist’s logline will be featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 500 top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure.

Open to Feature Film Scripts!

Laughing until we cry is one of the bedrocks of entertainment. From the goofy nostalgic delight of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE to the relentless hi-jinx of THE FALL GUY and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS, audiences can’t get enough laughter with their powerful storytelling. This year alone, comedies like BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE and DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE have topped the box office. The appetite for hilarious comedies is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!

We’re on the lookout for all types of comedy scripts! Rollicking action-comedies? Spooky horror comedies? Sugary sweet romantic comedies? The next legendary road-trip buddy romp? We want to see it all!

We’re looking for feature film scripts like:
THE FALL GUY, BARBIE, GLASS ONION, BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F, BOTTOMS, RICKY STANICKY, YOU PEOPLE, NO HARD FEELINGS, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, ASTEROID CITY, QUIZ LADY, FREE GUY, LISA FRANKENSTEIN, PALM SPRINGS, POLITE SOCIETY, BUDDY GAMES, FOOL'S PARADISE, SHIVA BABY, JACKPOT!, DUMB MONEY, and more!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original comedy 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 rip-roaring comedy story burning inside you, this is your moment to shine. Let us help take your writing career to the next level!

Awards & Prizes

Our Grand Prize Winner will:

-- Be flown to LA to meet with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like THE HOLDOVERS, VACATION FRIENDS, OLD DADS, CONFESS FLETCH, DIE HART, and more!

-- Work with Stage 32 to develop a market-ready pitch deck for your winning script.

-- Have your 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.

-- Continue to receive support from the Stage 32 team, who will work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

And that’s not all—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 Judges this year include:
-- Andrew Kersey, Literary Manager, Kersey Management (client credits incl. VACATION FRIENDS 1 & 2)
-- Luke Kelly-Clyne, EVP, Head of Independent Film & Production, Hartbeat Productions (PROM DATES, DIE HART)
-- Andrew Golov, Executive VP, Production, MIRAMAX (THE HOLDOVERS, CONFESS FLETCH, HE'S ALL THAT)
-- Michael M. McGuire, Producer, Organically Grown Productions (OLD DADS, THE GREASY STRANGLER)
-- Colleen Labella, Producer, Shoot to Midnight (SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, RUSSIAN DOLL)
-- Chisom Ude, Producer, Suite 06 (JOY RIDE, NOW YOU SEE ME 3)
-- Colin Edward Lawrence, Producer, CEL Films (THE MISFITS, ADVENTURES OF THE NAKED UMBRELLA)
-- Kelly Hayes, Independent Producer & Development Executive (OLD DOGS, MOPE)
-- Will Phelps, Head Of Production, American High (THE BINGE, MIGUEL WANTS TO FIGHT, PLAN B)
-- Jared Goldman & Zola Elgart Glassman, Producers, Mighty Engine (ABOUT MY FATHER, INGRID GOES WEST)

Our Comedy Feature 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 contest winners, the mother-daughter writing team of Kelly & Megan Anelons gained massive traction on her winning script BEST LAID PLANS, as they took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Circle of Confusion, Suite 06, two Emmy-nominated Producers, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for comedy stories.

Our 7th Annual Comedy Feature winners, Bobby & Rachel shares about their winning script JEW-ISH. Rachel and Bobby flew out to LA and met with industry professionals, where they met a producer with whom they're developing their script!

Our 5th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Jenny Rauch met with industry executives from Panay Films, Smart Entertainment, Whitewater Films, Verite Entertainment, and Zero Gravity Management, which boosted her career and helped get her in front of real decision makers.

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 & Villans 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.

Comedy films 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!

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.
2 Reviews
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  • Gregory Bonds

    Totally thrilled my first Rom-Com effort ‘MIC CHECK; KARAOKE LOVE’ made it to Quarterfinals!! Thank you for the support & inspiration!

    March 2022
    Helpful
  • Brian Michaels

    It's been a pleasure entering and then winning a Stage 32 contest prize package. The prizes were just as advertised and the communication with the Stage 32 staff has been nothing but professional.

    August 2019
    Helpful