Stage 32 is proud to present the 5th Annual TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest!

Open to Live Action and Animated TV Pilot Scripts!

Comedy TV is a staple of 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 HACKS and THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES have brought us delightfully funny new seasons, while new shows like THE STUDIO and DELI BOYS 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!

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 pilot 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, and more!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original comedy TV 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!

If you have a television 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!

Our Grand Prize Winner will:

Be flown to LA to meet with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, MONK, BOJACK HORSEMAN, BIG MOUTH, PEN15, RAMY, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, and more!

Work with Stage 32 to develop all the materials on your winning script!

Have your script logline and bio sent to our 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.

But that's not all!

ALL 10 Finalists will:

Career Development Package
-- Free Career Development call with a top Executive
-- Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working
industry executives
-- Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
-- Inclusion in the Stage 32 A-List - Get your work sent to a stable of top literary
managers & agents actively seeking new talent!

Writer Branding Workshop with an Executive
-- A punch-up of your professional bio
-- Headshot selection advice
-- Logline polish for your finalist script

Education Package
-- Free 3-month Writer’s Room Membership
-- Free Stage 32 Writing Lab of your choice with one-on-one mentoring with an executive
-- 1 Free Stage 32 Class
-- 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
-- 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

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 TV Comedy Screenwriting 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 winner, Matt Hyams gained massive traction on his winning script ON THE LINE and are currently taking a full slate of meetings in LA with managers and producers from SONY, The Cartel, Fourth Wall, Semiformal Productions, Cinemand, and Joke Zero -- all actively working on and looking for television comedy content.

Awards & Prizes

The Grand Prize Winner Will be Flown to Los Angeles to meet with:

JUDGES

-- Alan Zweibel, Producer, Silly Robin Productions (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, MONK,
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)

-- Rachel Allen, Literary Manager, Evoke Entertainment (client credits incl. BOJACK
HORSEMAN, BIG MOUTH)

-- Bridget Illing, Creative Executive & TV Producer (PEN15, RAMY, HOW I MET YOUR
FATHER, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING)

-- Jake Martin, Director of Scripted Development, Happy Place (FREELANCE, AMERICAN
DREAM: THE 21 SAVAGE STORY)

-- Korin Williams, Producer & Manager, Kronicle Media (client credits include THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE WONDER YEARS reboot)

-- Shelby White, Producer, Peculiar Pictures (TED LASSO, MYTHIC QUEST)

-- Lisa Ramón, Manager Scripted Television, Hyphenate Media (THE BEAR, FLEISCHMAN IS IN TROUBLE)

-- Stevenson Green, Creative Executive & TV Producer (CUCUMBER, EXES & OHS, BANANA, NOAH'S ARC) 

-- Jon Stahl, Writer & TV Producer (VEEP, HOUSEBROKEN, MARON, EASTSIDERS)

-- Heath Cullens, Long-time TV Comedy Director (IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, MYTHIC QUEST, AP BIO)

-- David Shecter, Long-time TV Comedy Writer (2 BROKE GIRLS, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA)

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: March 17th, 2025

Early Bird Deadline: May 14th, 2025

Regular Deadline: June 4th, 2025

Final Deadline: June 25th, 2025

Quarterfinalist Announcement: August 15th, 2025

Semifinalist Announcement: August 29th, 2025

Finalist Announcement: September 19th, 2025

Winner Announcement: October 3rd, 2025

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.