Stage 32 + Witchcraft Motion Picture Company Contained Genre Screenwriting Contest

A First-Of-Its-Kind "Contained Genre" Screenwriting Contest!  In partnership with Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, one of the top independent production studios in Hollywood!

The Grand Prize Winning writer will sign a shopping agreement to go into script development and packaging with Stage 32 & Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, the producers behind the successful contained films DOLLY, BLOOD FOR DUST, NIGHT SWIM, and more!

What Is A Contained Genre Movie? 

A contained movie is a film that takes place within confined parameters - such as limited locations and a smaller cast, often relying on high tension, psychological drama, and character development rather than VFX spectacle. These films are are common in the thriller, horror, crime, sci-fi, drama, and found footage genres - which is exactly what we're looking for!

-- Limited Setting: Usually confined to one or a few main locations (e.g., Panic Room, Buried, Phone Booth).
-- Small Cast: Often features only three to five characters, sometimes only one, driving the narrative.
-- High Tension/Claustrophobia: The physical (contained) restriction is used to heighten fear, anxiety, and intimacy.
-- Character-Driven: Focuses on performance and interpersonal conflict.

We're proud to announce the Stage 32 + Witchcraft Motion Picture Company Contained Genre Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great contained story. Witchcraft are partnering in a first-of-its-kind contest designed to fast-track a contained genre script from contest discovery to professional development and production!

Witchcraft Motion Picture Company is leading that charge. They champion bold storytelling, built on the belief that great films and great writers come from anywhere and everywhere. Witchcraft has developed a reputation for producing prestigious and commercially viable projects that thrill audiences while resonating long after. 

“Our goal has always been simple,” said Witchcraft's Rod Blackhurst and Noah Lang in a joint statement. “Make films that are undeniable, and build a system where the people creating them actually benefit.”

Witchcraft Motion Picture Company 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 sign a shopping agreement for packaging with potential production pathways designed to fast-track emerging writers. Both Stage 32 and Witchcraft Motion Picture Company will jointly package developed projects for production.

"This partnership with Witchcraft creates a real on-ramp for writers to go from undiscovered to produced and is directly aligned with our mission to make the entertainment industry more accessible and meritocratic,” added Geoffroy Faugerolas, Head of Development at Stage 32.

Contained movies are a staple of modern entertainment. From the traumatic, gut-wrenching drama of the Oscar-nominated film ROOM, to the edge-of-your-seat character development of LOCKE, to the shocking twists and turns of THE GUILTY, audiences can’t get enough contained genre storytelling. In the past year alone, contained genre films like PRIMATE and DROP both proved contained genre stories can even make a splash the box office. The appetite for amazing contained genre movies is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!

What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?

We’re on the lookout for all types of contained genre scripts! Intense, frightening horror? Gritty, hight stakes crime? Heart-wrenching, soulful drama? Mind-bending pscyhological thriiller? The next legendary found footage story? We want to see it all!

We’re looking for feature film scripts like:

DOLLY, NIGHT SWIM, BLOOD FOR DUST, DISTURBIA, DON'T BREATHE, HUSH, GET OUT, BURIED, PANIC ROOM, LIGHTS OUT, PHONE BOOTH, COHERENCE, THE INVITATION, VACANCY, RED EYE, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, DEVIL, WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, EX MACHINA, THE BELKO EXPERIMENT, TRAIN TO BUSAN, LOCKE, HALLOW ROAD, THE GUILTY, EXAM, ECHO VALLEY, DELIRIUM, THE WATCHERS, THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK, 12 ANGRY MEN, FREE FIRE, CIRCLE, WATCHER, THE SUNSET LIMITED, FLIGHT PLAN, APORIA, THE ONE I LOVE, THE IMMACULATE ROOM, JOHN & THE HOLE, MOON, THE GIFT, 13, THE PERFECT HOST, NO EXIT, DROP, KNOCK KNOCK, PASSENGER, UNSANE, EXIT 9, and more!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original contained story ideas that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats!

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 a contained 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!

Who Is Witchcraft Motion Picture Company?

Witchcraft Motion Picture Company is an independent studio founded in 2016 by filmmakers Rod Blackhurst and Noah Lang that champions bold storytelling, creative autonomy, and a filmmaker-first ethos. Built on the belief that great films and great filmmakers come from anywhere and everywhere, Witchcraft has developed a reputation for producing prestigious and commercially viable projects that retain a singular voice from institutionally overlooked writers and directors. The company also operates at the intersection of art and entrepreneurship, consistently identifying stories that resonate with audiences while protecting the integrity of the filmmakers behind them.

Witchcraft’s credits span acclaimed documentaries, narrative features, and genre-defining work. Notable projects include the Netflix original AMANDA KNOX, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival; the Tribeca Audience Award-winning survival drama HERE ALONE; Independent Spirit Award nominee THIS IS NOT A WAR STORY with HBOmax from Executive Producer Rosario Dawson; the Peacock original series JOHN WAYNE GACY: THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE; and the Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh thriller BLOOD FOR DUST, starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, and Josh Lucas, which screened at Tribeca and Deauville.

The company’s latest feature, DOLLY, represents a defining step forward in Witchcraft’s evolution: an original horror property inspired by 1970s grindhouse aesthetics. Released theatrically by IFC Films and Shudder in English language territories, DOLLY has exceeded expectations at the box office and is positioned as the foundation for a long-term franchise, with Witchcraft retaining their underlying IP.

Their upcoming slate includes DIE BY NIGHT with Protagonist Pictures, SFFILM honoree RUBY ROAD with Frances Fisher and Will Patton, and Bloodlist selection THE WHITE ROOM which was formerly set up at Amblin.

At its core, Witchcraft Motion Picture Company exists to challenge traditional industry pathways. The company prioritizes ownership, sustainable production models, and direct audience engagement, positioning itself as a modern studio built for a rapidly changing media landscape. 

With an expanding slate that includes experimental found-footage features, and prestige horror action thrillers, Witchcraft also believes in sending the elevator back down.

● Witchcraft will judge the Top 10 finalist scripts in the contest.
● The winner will be selected based on both creative merit and commercial viability assessment.
● Immediate transition from contest recognition to professional development.

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.

Contained 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!