Stage 32 is proud to present the 10th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest!

Open to Features and Television Pilots!

Grand Prize Winner flown to LA to meet with industry professionals who have worked on the SAW franchise, SCREAM 4, GET OUT, THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER, NEW NIGHTMARE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, HALLOWEEN RESURRECTION, INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY and more!

ALL finalists loglines will go into a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 500 entertainment industry executives!

Horror is a classic genre that stands the test of time. Decades-spanning franchises like HALLOWEEN and SCREAM still scare new generations of audiences, while terrifying new movies and shows like THE MENU and YELLOWJACKETS are redefining the horror landscape. Hollywood and audiences are always looking for that next big horror story -- and we want it to be YOURS!

We are on the hunt for ALL types of Horror scripts - all stories are welcome! We are looking for:

> Feature film scripts like: THE BLACK PHONE, INSIDIOUS, THE INVISIBLE MAN, SCREAM, BARBARIAN, X, PREY, THE MENU

> Television scripts like: THE WALKING DEAD, YELLOWJACKETS, STRANGER THINGS, EVIL, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, SERVANT, THE WATCHER, BASED ON A TRUE STORY

But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before!

For the last 12 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 Horror 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!

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: August 17th, 2023

Early Bird Deadline: September 13th, 2023

Regular Deadline: October 4th, 2023

Final Deadline: October 25th, 2023

Quarterfinalist Announcement: December 29th, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: January 12th, 2024

Finalist Announcement: January 26th, 2024

Winner Announcement: February 9th, 2024

Awards & Prizes

Our Grand Prize winner will:

-Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with:
Nick Phillips, Producer, PBR Streetgang (SCREAM 4, HALLOWEEN RESURRECTION)
Joe Fronk, Agent, APA (client credits include FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE)
Olivia M., Independent Finance & Sales Agent, Verve (GET OUT, INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY)
Andrew Wilson, Literary Manager & Producer, Wonderstreet Entertainment (the SAW franchise)
Michael Peterson, Director of Development, Phoenix Pictures (company credits include THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER, SHUTTER ISLAND)
Rudy Scalese, Producer (NEW NIGHTMARE, GOING TO PIECES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SLASHER FILM)
Karina Wilson, Story & Development Consultant (13 SINS, consulted for BLUMHOUSE)
Tim Ogletree, Producer/Writer (DEAD ZONE, THE WALKING DECEASED)
-Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script’s pitch deck for the market
-Have your professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers who have a First Look deal with Stage 32 and are actively looking for new clients and material after the strike is over.
-Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, a private, virtual community of writers from around the world the meet and learn from industry professionals like Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT, CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aimee Riviera, VP of Motion Picture Production at Skydance Media (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and managers & agents from WME, CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity & more!
-Free access to Stage 32’s educational webinar library, which includes over 3,000 hours of content featuring top industry professionals
-Continued support from the Stage 32 team to help move your career forward and get you in front of decision makers!

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 500 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.

Stage 32 will be a champion for your script - once you’re part of our community, we make sure you rise to the top!

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.
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  • Travis Burgess

    I was proud to be selected as a top ten finalist for the Stage 32 Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest. A lot of great writers submitted. Tough competition. Tough judges. The organizers communicated clearly and promoted the finalists on their social media outlets. I'd recommend it!

    February 2020
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