Insider Intel: 2025- Your Year of Breakthroughs (+ What's Coming in 2026)

As the year comes to an end, I want to take a moment to celebrate you and express how rewarding it is working alongside this community to empower creatives around the world.

2025 was your year.

More than 85 writers in our community found success this year—signing with representation, getting their projects shopped, being hired for open writing assignments, securing options, and landing development deals. Writers like you proved that breaking through isn't just possible—it's happening right now.

And it's not slowing down. I've been hearing from executives across the industry that 2026 is gearing up to be a solid year for Hollywood with more projects being greenlit. While budgets may not be as big as before, producers and creatives are still getting to make what they love and connect with audiences around the world.

With big tech money coming into Hollywood and new tax incentive programs popping up globally, it's only a matter of time before productions pick up. But Hollywood may never fully come back to what we're used to. Between vertical series studios, app makers, and influencers taking over, development is bound to look really different in the years to come—with multi-hyphenates and producers/filmmakers acting more as tastemakers.

What we built for you in 2025:

This year, we raised the bar to make sure you have access to the opportunities that can actually move your career forward.

We built new partnerships with A-list companies including Erika Alexander's Color Farm Media, Mammoth Pictures, Zero Gravity, and DramaBox—all actively seeking material from Stage 32 writers.

We created new certification programs with film commissions around the world, giving you credentials that open doors in international markets.

We welcomed new executives from Gersh, CAA, Project X, Nickelodeon, HBO, Amazon Studios, The CW, Apple, and more—all here to read your scripts, hear your pitches, and discover new voices.

Our recent partnerships were featured in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline—but more importantly, they've created real opportunities for writers like you to get your work in front of decision-makers who can change your career.

End Your Year Strong: Three Opportunities Closing Soon

As we head into 2026, we have three major opportunities available right now:

1) DramaBox Vertical Series Contest

DramaBox is revolutionizing storytelling with vertical short-form episodic content—and they're looking for writers who can deliver addictive, bingeable series. This is a legitimate new market with real budgets and real opportunities for writers. [Submit to the DramaBox Contest]

2) End of Year Pitchfest

Pitch your feature or series directly to managers, agents, and producers actively seeking new material to close out the year and kick off 2026 development slates. Multiple execs are taking pitches right now. [Book Your Pitchfest Sessions]

3) Period Piece Screenwriting Contest

Our Period Piece Contest connects your historical, biographical, or era-specific scripts with executives, producers, and judges who specialize in period storytelling. Winners consistently get signed, optioned, and produced. [Enter the Period Piece Contest]

This Week in the Writers' Room

If you're a Writers' Room member, don't miss this week's exclusive event:

Wednesday 12/18 at 4pm PT: Producer & Manager Brendan Kenny joins us for The Executive Hour. Get inside the mind of a literary manager who also worked in development and business affairs at production companies, studios, and agencies to learn how to navigate the marketplace and what managers are actually looking for.

If you would like to join the Writers’ Room, access weekly events, submit to dozens of open writing assignments, and attend exclusive pitch tanks with industry executives- click HERE for a free trial!

Looking Ahead to 2026

There has never been a better time to be an active member of this community. Whether you're looking to get feedback from working executives, pitch to managers and producers, discover new opportunities through contests and open writing assignments, or connect with other creatives building their careers, we're here to help you take the next step.

Contact me and the team- Success@Stage32.com!

Thank you for being part of Stage 32. Thank you for trusting us with your stories. And thank you for showing up, doing the work, and proving that talent and perseverance still matter.

Here's to finishing 2025 strong and making 2026 your breakthrough year.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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