The BIGGEST TV Drama Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!

Ever dreamt of seeing your TV Drama 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!

Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $5,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be flown to LA to meet industry professionals who’ve worked on iconic TV shows like BILLIONS, THE BEAR, GREY'S ANATOMY, UPLOAD, SCANDAL, SUPER PUMPED, GOSSIP GIRL, TULSA KING, SHRINKING and many more!

Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $2,500, 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 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!

Open to TV Pilot Scripts!

Drama is the basis of every story that endures throughout entertainment. From the intensity and action of SHOGUN, to the totally wild and original concept of BABY REINDEER, to the dangerous power plays and high stakes of LANDMAN, audiences can’t get enough exciting dramatic storytelling. This year alone, classic TV series like SUITS and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE are being rebooted, while popular films HARRY POTTER and DUNE are being adapted for TV, proving a great story can last for decades. 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 drama scripts! Classic family melodramas? Atmospheric psychological mind-benders? Bold period pieces? Genre-twisting Legal, War, Musical, Sports, Fantasy or Sci-Fi? The next legendary biopic? We want to see it all!

We’re looking for TV pilots scripts like:

THE WHITE LOTUS, TRUE DETECTIVE, SHRINKING, RIPLEY, KILLING EVE, LANDMAN, YELLOWJACKETS, MASTERS OF THE AIR, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, I MAY DESTROY YOU, EXPATS, THE BEAR, FALLOUT, THE CROWN, SUCCESION, THE LAST OF US, BAD MONKEY, SLOW HORSES, COBRA KAI, 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 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!

Awards & Prizes

Our Grand Prize Winner will:

-- Be flown to LA to meet with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like BILLIONS, THE BEAR, GREY'S ANATOMY, UPLOAD, SCANDAL, SUPER PUMPED, GOSSIP GIRL, TULSA KING, SHRINKING, and more!

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

-- Have your name, 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.

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

But that’s not all — check full contest page on Stage 32 for all our prize details!

And 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:
-- Nathan Varni, Executive Director, ABC Current Network Programming (WILL TRENT, GREY’S ANATOMY, SCANDAL)
-- Mike Harrop, Producer, Firehead Films (84 episodes of BILLIONS, the SHOWTIME limited series SUPER PUMPED)
-- Jon Hersh, Literary Manager, Night Drive Management (client credits include THE BEAR, the CW series LEGACIES)
-- Rachel Polan, SVP Development & Production, Pacesetter Productions (DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, NASHVILLE, STATION ELEVEN)
-- Stewart Dickson, UK-Based Development Executive (THE TOWER, MURDER IS EASY, HAVEN)
-- Charlie Osowik, Literary Manager, Charles Osowik Management (client credits include DOOM PATROL, DEAD BOY DETECTIVES)
-- Ian Phillips, Producer & Development Executive (ALICE & JACK, THE GREATEST HITS)
-- Chelsea Matthews, Producer, Fossil Record Films (TRUE DETECTIVE, THIS IS US)
-- Corey Hanley, Development Executive & Producer (GENERATION, DUNE: PROPHECY)
-- Giselle Contreras, Development Executive, Works with Monkeypaw and 3Pas Studios (the AppleTV+ series ACAPULCO) 
-- Saleena Lockett, Development Executive & Producer (ALL AMERICAN, WALKER, LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER)
-- Patrick Callan, Executive Producer, Spiral Staircase Productions (Emmy-winning MOZART IN THE JUNGLE, THE TICK, UPLOAD, RED OAKS)
-- Chris Bellant, Literary Manager, Vision Entertainment (Client credits THE ROOKIE, BLACK-ISH, STATION 19, THE CHOSEN ONE)
-- James Renfroe, TV Producer (BAD MONKEY, SHRINKING, SUPERSTORE)
-- James Presson, Producer & Head of Original Programming, Graven Images (TULSA KING, VINYL, GET SHORTY)
-- Raquelle David, Literary Manager & Producer, Authentic Talent and Literary Management (client credits incl. THE BROTHERS SUN, GOSSIP GIRL)
Our TV Drama 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 4th Annual TV Drama winner, Katie McClung gained massive traction on her winning script HOMER RANCH and took a full slate of meetings in LA with managers and producers from ABC, Hulu, IAG, Zero Gravity Management, Sugar23, Legendary Entertainment, First Story Entertainment, and more! -- all currently working on and looking for TV drama content. Katie currently has multiple offers on the table for representation!

Our 3rd Annual TV Drama winner, Lisa Steadman won with her script LAUREN OF ARABIA and is now signed with by Mark Saffian at Content House. 

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.

TV is 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.
1 Review
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  • Light The Girl Productions

    Our experience was wonderful. Easy, rewarding and we would/will submit again!

    March 2017
    Helpful