Wednesday, Feb 26TH 11:59PST | Regular Deadline |
Wednesday, Feb 26TH 11:59PST | Regular Deadline |
The ONLY Female Driven Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!
Over $50,000 in Prizes!
Ever dreamt of seeing your female driven script come to life on the big screen or streaming 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 female driven movies and shows like HE'S ALL THAT, MEET CUTE, NEW GIRL, DEAD TO ME, SELENA: THE SERIES, TRUTH BE TOLD, 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 their 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 Feature Film and TV Pilot Scripts!
Captivating female driven movies and shows are a staple of modern entertainment. From the raw passion and intensity of ANORA, to the totally wild and original concept of THE SUBSTANCE, and the enormous franchise revamps of FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA and A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE, audiences can’t get enough powerful female driven storytelling. Last year alone, female driven films like WICKED and IT ENDS WITH US proved female driven movies can rock the box office. The appetite for amazing female driven movies and show is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
We’re on the lookout for all types of female driven scripts! Deep, thought-provoking dramas? Gritty, fast-paced action movies? Tearjerking romances? The next legendary road trip romp? We want to see it all!
Let last year's 3rd Annual Female Driven Contest Winner Ellen Warner O'Brien tell you why you should enter!
What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?
We’re looking for feature film scripts like:
ANORA, LITTLE WOMEN, THE SUBSTANCE, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE, MARIA, EMILIA PEREZ, THE FAVOURITE, BARBIE, LOVE LIES BLEENDING, DRIVE AWAY DOLLS, MEAN GIRLS, LISA FRANKENSTEIN, MY OLD ASS, A FAMILY AFFAIR, BABYGIRL, NIGHTBITCH, WE LOVE IN TIME, OCEAN'S 8, WICKED, MISS CONGENIALITY, ERIN BROKOVICH, and more!
We’re looking for TV pilots scripts like:
HACKS, THE CROWN, FLEABAG, THE HANDMAID'S TALE, THE PERFECT COUPLE, TELL ME LIES, KILLING EVE, GILMORE GIRLS, THE WHITE QUEEN, THE MARVELOUS MS. MAISEL, BROAD CITY, BIG LITTLE LIES, GLOS, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACk, INSECURE, BRIDGERTON, MATLOCK, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and more!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original female driven 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 female driven story burning inside you, this is your moment to shine. Let us help take your writing career to the next level!
Who Are The Judges?
What Are The Prizes?
As always, our Grand Prize Winner will:
Check below for ALL our new prize packages! Including packages for Finalists, Semifinalists, Quarterfinalists, and more!
Want Script Coverage & The Ability To Submit A New Draft?
Want professional feedback on your script? We offer discounted script coverage and the option to resubmit revised drafts. Our feedback options are designed to help you polish your work and give you the best chance at success.
We offer the option to get immediate script coverage when you submit and the ability to re-submit a revised draft to the contest for $99.00. See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. With this option you will receive coverage/notes within 5-days from when you submit your script and you have up to 10 days after the final deadline to submit a new draft.
This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. See full terms in the Rules Section. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is April 5th, 2025. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.
We offer discounted script coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on May 23rd, 2025. See full terms in the Rules Section.
We offer the option to resubmit a new draft of your script later in the contest for $39.00. You only have until 5 days after the Final Deadline to submit a new draft. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is March 31st, 2025. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.
You cannot re-submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.
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.
Female driven 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!
Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:
Super Early Bird Deadline: January 16th, 2025
Early Bird Deadline: February 5th, 2025
Regular Deadline: February 26th, 2025
Final Deadline: March 26th, 2025
Quarterfinalist Announcement: May 23rd, 2025
Semifinalist Announcement: June 6th, 2025
Finalist Announcement: June 20th, 2025
Winner Announcement: July 4th, 2025
If you have any questions regarding this contest, check out frequently asked questions here.
THIS YEAR'S PRIZE PACKAGES INCLUDE:
WINNER: The Career Accelerator Package - $5,000 Value
FINALISTS: The Career Momentum Package - $2,500 Value
SEMIFINALISTS: The Career Breakthrough Package - $1,000 Value
QUARTERFINALISTS: The Career Elevation Package - $500 Value
ALL ENTRANTS - $100 value
In addition to all that, all writers receive continued support from the Stage 32 team, who work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.
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 contest winner, Ellen Warner O'Brien gained massive traction on her winning script TIGHT, as she took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Circle of Confusion, Gotham Group, Bellevue Production, Gramercy Park Entertainment, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for female driven stories.
1st Annual Female Driven contest winner, Jennifer Goldson, was signed by Dallaslyn Lamb at RAIN Management!
2nd Annual Female Driven contest winner, Jimmy Miller, signed with Marc Manus at Persistent Entertainment! Then his Stage 32 winning script SLUGGER went on to become an Academy Nicholl Fellowship winner in 2024 as well!
Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:
More Contest Winners would love to tell you why you should enter!
Previous 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!
VIEW THE BAGHEAD (2024) TRAILER HERE! AVAILABLE NOW ON SHUDDER!
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.
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.
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.
Previous Contest Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!
She shares her advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"
Click the "Success Stories" link here for even more testimonials from our past winners!
Christine "Chris" Coggins is a Literary Manager and Producer at Heroes & Villains Entertainment, where she represents and guides the careers of writers and directors, while developing and producing media projects across all platforms.
Chris got her start with Escape Artists Entertainment, where she started as a development assistant and rose up the ranks to Director of Development, and later Vice President. In her time there, Chris worked on and developed projects such as SEVEN POUNDS, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, THE WEATHER MAN, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, KNOWING and THE GREAT DEBATERS. She also earned producing credits on the films GREAT HOPE SPRINGS and THE BACK-UP PLAN.
Chris later worked as a consultant and development executive at James Frey's Full Fathom Five, then Allison Shearmur Productions, where she worked on NERVE, BURIAL RITES, PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES, and a CINDERELLA reboot. Chris went on to work as Head of Development at Rock Paper Scissors, where she developed another full slate of Film & TV projects, before moving to EuropaCorp, as Vice President, Development and Production, working on projects for global audiences.
Needless to say, Chris knows the ins and outs of the industry at every level and is adept at helping her clients navigate their way through film and TV projects from many perspectives.
Matthew Chen is an experienced Producer who was the Senior Director of Development for Film & Television at Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, where he worked on numerous television and film projects, ranging from pitch to release and every stage of development/production/post in between.
Recent projects he worked on as executive and producer for Hello Sunshine include the Octavia Spencer-starring legal drama series TRUTH BE TOLD for Apple and Fifth Season/Chernin Entertainment, as well as the Gugu Mbatha-Raw starring psychological thriller series SURFACE for Apple.
Before Hello Sunshine, he worked for production companies Ethea Entertainment and Offspring Entertainment on a wide variety of film and television projects, including the film HE’S ALL THAT starring Addison Rae & Tanner Buchanan for Netflix and studio Miramax, the AFTER film series starring Josephine Langford & Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and the television series STEP UP: HIGH WATER for YouTube/Starz and Lionsgate.
Matthew is producing film and television and is looking for great stories that can be developed for streamers.
Reni Calister is a two-time Emmy Award winning Producer and Executive and serves as the Chief Content Officer of Rock’n Robin Productions, the production company of ABC broadcaster Robin Roberts. Rock'n Robin Productions is currently expanding their slate to include feature and television projects.
Reni previously served as the Executive Vice President of Content TOGETHXR, a media company founded by renowned Olympians Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. Reni’s contributions extended to A Touch More, a production company founded by Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, where she helped launch the company which focuses on showcasing the stories of revolutionaries that shape culture.
Prior to her time at TOGETHXR, Reni worked at Rock’n Robin Productions as Head of Development, where she oversaw film and television productions for notable networks and platforms, including Disney+, Discovery+, ESPN, ABC, Lifetime, and the History Channel, among others. Reni’s career also includes working at Good Morning America, where she led Robin Roberts’ anchor team and traveled the globe to discover and share inspiring stories.
Reni’s media journey began at HBO Documentary Films, where she contributed to films that garnered prestigious awards, including the Peabody, Emmy, and Academy Award, establishing her passion for producing impactful and critically acclaimed content.
Samantha Shear is a development executive and producer at Zoic Pictures, the content division of Emmy-winning global entertainment company Zoic Studios. She has close to two decades of experience creating and developing character-driven, visual stories in film, television and animation.
At Zoic, Shear is producing several feature film and television projects including the original screenplay SID at Amazon Studios featured in Deadline with Davis Entertainment to be directed by Ahern & Loughman (EXTRA ORDINARY) as well as the holiday film THE STOCKING STUFFER with Mattel Films.
Samantha was also Head of Film and Television Development at Kickstart Entertainment (THE BOYS, PREACHER).
In television, she is producing the YA Korean fantasy series SHE WAS THE FIRST with Sony Television and Rafe Judkins (WHEEL OF TIME) as well as arcane punk comic book series BATTLE CHASERS created by Joe Madureira and to be adapted by Derek Kolstad (JOHN WICK) with Alcon Entertainment.
Other current producing projects include THE BLACKSMITH, with AGC and producers Jon Shestack (GHOST OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST, AIR FORCE ONE) and Jeremy Stein (MORTAL KOMBAT, SENIOR YEAR) as well as THE TELLER, written and to be directed by Ben Ripley (SOURCE CODE) with Catchlight Studios.
Shear also produced the live action indie films SHADES OF RAY and BOUNTY KILLER. In animation, Shear was a Co-Executive Producer on the animated holiday specials DEAR DRACULA, FROZEN IN TIME, UNDER WRAPS, ABOMINABLE CHRISTMAS, THE NAUGHTY LIST and MONSTROUS HOLIDAY.
As a development executive, Shear has set up many projects over the years including television pilots DEMO at Syfy Channel, DEMONIKA at MTV, MOLLY at Lifetime and HENCH at NBC, WARD 6 with Cineflix, and SPACE TRASH at FTVS as well as feature films including THE SECRET TREE at Disney Channel, KISSING EZRA HOLTZ at Amazon, CRENSHAW based on the Katherine Applegate novel at Fox, MONSTER ATTACK NETWORK at Disney and the adaptation of the book 1421: THE YEAR CHINA DISCOVERED AMERICA with Warner Brothers China.
Shear has experience in comic book publishing as the editor of an indie comic publisher overseeing thirty-two unique graphic novel titles. She has moderated panels at SXSW and San Diego Comic Con on topics such as Women Writing in Genre and the Impact of AI on Creative Industries.
Jennifer McConnell is the Creative Director and Producer at Turning Point, a production company which is backed by Shaftesbury (who has a strategic partnership with AMC Networks) and is lead by former Endor boss Carlo Dusi and was recently announced in Deadline.
Turning Point develops and produces dramas for the domestic and international markets. It's partnership with Shaftesbury will enable both companies to explore worldwide co-production opportunities across the UK and Canada.
Jennifer is an Executive Producer working in British TV and has a long-standing career in development across different genres and broadcasters, from the BAFTA-winning WOLF HALL, to continuing drama EASTENDERS, thriller RIVIERA (SKY), and buddy cop show BULLETPROOF.
She also served as the Head of Development at Endor Productions under Seven One Studios. There she drove the expansion of Endor Productions' development slate and strengthened the creative strategy of the company as well as developed new projects of her own whilst continuing to prioritize high-end, talent-led drama with international potential. Prior to her role at Endor, Jennifer was a development consultant for Irish indie Subotica (AISHA, TERMINAL, and JOYRIDE) one of Ireland's leading film and TV production companies working with writers, directors and co-producers in the development and production of content for cinema and television, and was named a Broadcast Hotshot
She worked as a story producer for two series of SANDITON for PBS and ITV, before developing a slate with three project commitments from UK broadcasters. Jennifer has worked with established writers and talent in the UK landscape but loves working with new voices and helping them land their shows.
Jennifer has extensive experience working on British television projects and is working to develop more international projects.
Robyn Meisinger is a veteran literary manager, producer, and partner at Anonymous Content with over 20 years experience working with writers. She was the co-founder of Madhouse Entertainment in 2006 and ran the company until joining Anonymous in 2019.
Robyn's clients have written on shows like THE SOPRANOS, VEEP, LOS ESPOOKYS, WESTWORLD, THE DEUCE, and SILICON VALLEY for HBO/Max, AMERICAN HORROR STORY and THE LEAGUE for FX, THE WITCHER for Netflix, RIVERDALE, CHARMED, and SUPERGIRL for CW, HOUSE, THE MICK, and NEW GIRL for Fox, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS and PERSON OF INTEREST for CBS, STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS and THE CHI for Paramount+, BEL-AIR for Peacock, JACK RYAN for Amazon Prime Video, POWER BOOK II: GHOST for STARZ, and SHOOTER for USA.
Robyn's clients have created shows like LOST (ABC), SENNA (NETFLIX), HUNG (HBO), BEFORE (Apple TV+), IMPULSE (YouTube Originals), BLACK LIGHTNING (CW), SEXY BEAST (PARAMOUNT+), SALVATION (CBS), and more.
Additionally, Robyn's clients have written movies like A BIGGER SPLASH, TIME CUT, ACCEPTED, ALLEGIANT, ASSASSIN'S CREED, THE MACHINIST, THE CRAZIES, REALITY BITES, FACE/OFF, LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER, ELLE, BENEDETTA, THE FAMILY, MONSTER-IN-LAW, MOTHER'S DAY, and many more!
As a producer, Robyn has produced or executive produced over a dozen film/TV projects, including McG's UGLIES starring Joey King and THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES starring Kurt Russell (NETFLIX), THE BOOGEYMAN (20th Century Studios), SLENDER MAN (Screen Gems), DEADFALL (Magnolia Pictures), Denis Villeneuve's PRISONERS (Warner Bros.), THE BOUNTY HUNTER starring Gerard Butler & Jennifer Aniston (Columbia Pictures), Joel Schumacher's BLOOD CREEK starring Henry Cavill & Michael Fassbender (Gold Circle Films), and TWISTED starring Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson, & Andy Garcia (Paramount Pictures).
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.
Submission fee: $49.50
Submission fee: $59.50
Submission fee: $69.50
Submission fee: $79.50