Stage 32 is proud to present the 12th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest!

Open to Features and Television Pilots!

Fresh off the release of the hit thriller PARALLEL, starring Aldis Hodge and Danielle Deadwyler, Mammoth Pictures founders Kourosh Ahari and Alex Bretow are partnering with Stage 32 to find the next undiscovered horror writing talents. The producers, who've built a company making prestige horror/thriller films for international markets, will work directly with Stage 32 through the Stage 32 Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest.

Mammoth Pictures will be personally reviewing semi-finalist loglines and all top 10 finalist scripts, with winners selected based on both creative merit and commercial viability. The selected writers will receive script development, industry mentorship, and potential production pathways designed to fast-track emerging writers. Both Stage 32 and Mammoth Pictures will jointly package developed projects for production.

"This partnership with Stage 32 is deeply aligned with what we believe at Mammoth Pictures — that great storytelling knows no borders. We’re excited to build new bridges for filmmakers who are ready to bring fresh, daring visions to the screen," said Kourosh Ahari, co-founder of Mammoth Pictures.

"We've witnessed incredible writers emerge from their platform. With Stage 32's global reach combined with our international production expertise, we're creating an unprecedented opportunity for writers from all backgrounds to see their stories brought to life across multiple markets," added Alex Bretow, co-founder of Mammoth Pictures.

"Mammoth Pictures represents exactly the kind of visionary production partner we seek," said Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto. "Kourosh and Alex have demonstrated an incredible ability to discover and develop compelling narratives that resonate globally while breaking new ground. Their commitment to meaningful storytelling aligns perfectly with Stage 32's 14-year mission to launch careers for undiscovered talent and to find undeniable material that can be put into production."

"In an industry where breaking in seems increasingly difficult, we're continuing to create a direct pipeline from undiscovered talent to professional development," added Geoffroy Faugerolas, Stage 32's Director of Development Services. "This is about discoverability, access and launching careers."

The best horror movies meld our deepest fears into intense atmospheres with gripping suspense, strong character development, exciting jump scares, and unexpected twists to keep audiences on the edge of our seats.

From the techno-slashing antics of MEGAN 2.0, to the totally fun and upsetting concept of DROP, to the supernatural scares and psychological terror of BRING HER BACK, audiences can’t get enough exciting action/thriller storytelling. This year alone, classic horror franchises like 28 YEARS LATER, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, and FINAL DESTINATION were rebooted, proving a great story can last for decades. The appetite for amazing horror projects is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!

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

Feature scripts like:

BRING HER BACK, TALK TO ME, FINAL DESTINATION, SCREAM, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, M3GAN, WOLFMAN, TERRIFIER, SMILE, WATCHERS, CUCKOO, IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE, V/H/S, NIGHT SWIM, LONGLEGS, 5 NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S, EVIL DEAD, LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, THANKSGIVING, FRIDAY THE 13TH, FEAR STREET

As well as TV pilot scripts like:

AMERICAN HORROR STORY, STRANGER THINGS, FROM, THE WALKING DEAD, SUPERNATURAL, EVIL, PENNY DREADFUL, THE TERROR, THE LAST OF US, RESIDENT EVIL, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, TWISTED METAL, GOOSEBUMPS, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, LORE, HAUNTED

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

For the last 13 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 an 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 14th, 2025

Early Bird Deadline: September 10th, 2025

Regular Deadline: October 8th, 2025

Final Deadline: October 29th, 2025

Quarterfinalist Announcement: December 12th, 2025

Semifinalist Announcement: January 2nd, 2026

Finalist Announcement: January 16th, 2026

Winner Announcement: January 30th, 2026

Awards & Prizes

Our Grand Prize winner will:

The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will go into horror development pipeline with Stage 32 & Mammoth Pictures, the producers behind the successful horror/thrillers THE NIGHT (2020), PARALLEL (2024), and more!

Mammoth Pictures will review all Semi-Finalist loglines - eligible for script requests!

Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script’s pitch deck for the market!

PLUS -- All Top 10 Finalists will be eligible for mentorships with:
Michael Schulman, Story Analyst for Amazon Studios & Prime Video

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!

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.

Using our new Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. Updated drafts will need to be sent to contests@stage32.com to be scored.
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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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