Stage 32
Stage 32 Action/Thriller Screenwriting Contest
2024
Active Since 2021
Stage 32 is excited to announce the 4th Annual Action Thriller Screenwriting Contest!
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About

The best action/thriller movies combine intense, well-choreographed action sequences with a gripping, suspenseful plot, strong character development, exciting action set pieces, and unexpected twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Classic action/thriller shows like CSI or GAME OF THRONES are some of the most watched series of all time and keep spawning spin-off series. Current action/thriller franchises like JOHN WICK, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, and FAST & FURIOUS won't stop delivering amazing sequels to fans. 

So far this year, DUNE: PART TWO is the second highest grossing movie of any 2024 release. And this summer BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE surged into the Top Ten at the box office with a strong global run. Audiences are always ready for that next action/thriller hit -- and we want it be YOURS!

Open to Features and TV pilots!

We are on the hunt for ALL types of Action and Thriller scripts - all stories are welcome! 

We are looking for feature action/thriller scripts like: TWISTERS, REBEL MOON 1 & 2, ROAD HOUSE, THE FALL GUY, THE EQUALIZER TRILOGY, MONKEY MAN, THE BEEKEEPER, HEART OF STONE, THE COVENANT, EXTRACTION 1 & 2, THE KILLER, THE MOTHER, HIT MAN, ATOMIC BLONDE, THE WOMAN KING, ARGYLLE

We are looking for TV action/thriller scripts like: THE BOYS, JACK RYAN, GEN V, REACHER, S.W.A.T., FBI, FALLOUT, MR. & MRS. SMITH, THE LAST OF US, TWISTED METAL, THE PEACEMAKER, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, SHOGUN, RINGS OF POWER, TOKYO VICE, GANGS OF LONDON

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 action or thriller 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!

Benefits

      • Our Grand Prize winner will:

      •  
      • > Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with:
      • -- Scott Schulman, Literary Manager, Schulman Management (client credits include FBI: MOST WANTED, NCIS: LA)
      • -- Sam Newman, Creative Executive, Semi-Formal Productions (THE DROPOUT, THE SHRINK NEXT DOOR, HAPPY FACE)
      • -- Mike Griffin, Literary Manager, Luber Roklin Entertainment (client credits include THE ROOKIE, ROAD HOUSE, RAY DONOVAN)
    -- Tyler Winther, Creative Director, Mediator Media (GOD IS A BULLET, BLACKOUT)
  • -- Steven Adams, Founder & Producer, Alta Global Media (THE GREEN HORNET, GREEN LANTERN, THOR)
  • -- Sofia Rovaletti, Director of Development, Mojo Global Arts (NIGHT OF THE HUNTED, KNUCKLE CITY)
  • -- Harry Lowell, Producer, NiteLite Pictures (LOCKED IN, ALASKAN STEEL MEN)
  • -- Aengus McLoone, Development Executive, Antihero Entertainment (DON'T WORRY DARLING, BARBARIAN, THE MOTHER)
  • -- David Harris, Producer, Harris Films (DESOLATION, SECURITY)
  • -- Kevin Nicklaus, Producer, Sandstone Artists (BATES MOTEL, ROOTS, THE BAD SEED)
  • -- Thomas Pemberton, Development Executive, Mind's Eye Entertainment (THE RECALL, A SCORE TO SETTLE) 

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

      • >Have your professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers who have a First Look deal with Stage 32 and are actively looking for new clients and material.

      • >Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, a private, virtual community of writers from around the world the meet and learn from industry professionals like Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT, CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aimee Riviera, VP of Motion Picture Production at Skydance Media (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and managers & agents from WME, CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity & more!

      • >Free access to Stage 32’s educational webinar library, which includes over 3,000 hours of content featuring top industry professionals!

      • >Continued support from the Stage 32 team to help move your career forward and get you in front of decision makers!

    In addition to these meetings, the winner will also receive access to Stage 32’s Educational resources, be promoted on Stage 32’s social media, and have their professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers hand picked by Stage 32 who are actively looking for new clients and material. Stage 32 will facilitate introductory meetings to any of the representatives who respond to your material and bio. This is the type of exposure that will change your career forever!

     

    If you reach the Finals, you still get massive exposure to decision makers! ALL FINALISTS will receive a FREE MONTH OF THE MEMBER'S ONLY STAGE 32 WRITERS' ROOMan exclusive community of writers who gather online for inspiring and educational webcasts from top industry pros, and will be in a Stage 32 Lookbook which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Lookbooks are some of the most sought after talent resources for the industry and have helped secure meetings with places like Sony, Hulu, Showtime, Amazon, Netflix, Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, Zero Gravity, Circle of Confusion, Echo Lake, Gotham Group, Gersh, UTA, CAA, WME, IAG, The Cartel, Art/Work and many, many more.

     

    Stage 32 will be a champion for your script - once you’re part of our community, we make sure you rise to the top!

Judges

Schulman Management

Scott Schulman

Literary Manager

Schulman Management

Scott Schulman is a Literary Manager who staffs writers at major Networks and Streamers, and is a champion of helping writers break into the industry! He is currently building a roster of emerging voices and has a passion for representing and inspiring writers. He currently represents the Co-Ep of the hit Netflix series "THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY", and has clients on the shows: "Dumped" (Netflix), "FBI: Most Wanted" (CBS), "NCIS: LA" (CBS), "SO Help Me Todd" (CBS). One of his clients recently sold one of their pilots to Netflix carried through by 21 Laps (FREE GUY, "STRANGER THINGS").

Semi-formal Productions

Sam Newman

Creative Executive

Semi-formal Productions

Sam Newman is currently a Creative Executive at Semi-Formal Productions. The company was co-founded by Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick and signed a multi-year first-look film deal with Amazon MGM Studios in July 2024, following a previous long-term deal at Warner Media.

Luber Roklin Entertainment

Mike Griffin

Literary Manager

Luber Roklin Entertainment

Mike Griffin is a talent manager and producer at Luber Roklin Entertainment. Mike works in artist management and creative development where his focus is TV/film production in both animation and live action along with representing actors, comedians, and screenwriters. Mike previously worked at MAKE GOOD Content, a talent management firm and production company, alongside Paul Young, the Emmy-winning producer of KEY AND PEELE, who founded and ran Principato-Young Entertainment for 17 years. Paul and Mike produced dozens of movies and television shows, including RENO 911 for Comedy Central, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE and KEANU for WB/New Line, WOMAN IN THE BOOK for Crypt TV & Facebook Watch, and the hit docuseries, THE COMEDY STORE for Showtime which chronicled the epic history of the World Famous Comedy Store on Sunset. Mike and MAKE GOOD is partnered with Starburns Industries, the animation studio behind RICK AND MORTY and the Oscar-nominated ANOMALISA.

Mediator Media

Tyler Winther

Creative Director

Mediator Media

Tyler Winther is an award-winning filmmaker, an Epic Games Mega Grant Recipient, and Creative Director of Mediator Media a creative development and production company specializing in storytelling through technology, actively seeking to expand their network of preferred writers. Prior to starting Mediator Media, Tyler served as Creative Executive at Patriot Pictures where he specialized in Development and VFX Producing. Tyler has worked on several projects such as GOD IS A BULLET starring Academy Award-winning actor Jaime Foxx (RAY) and Maika Monroe (HONEY BOY) directed by Nick Cassavettes (THE OTHER WOMAN starring Cameron Diaz, and THE NOTEBOOK) as well as the Netflix action/thriller BLACKOUT starring Josh Duhamel (LOVE, SIMON and TRANSFORMERS). His commercial work includes digital spots for HBOMAX, TWITCH, APPLE, VALENTINO, and CHANEL. His Music Video and Fashion work have been featured on top music and fashion blogs, FORBES, and MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE. Prior to Patriot Pictures, he served as Head of Development at the award-winning design, visual effects, and virtual reality studio Aaron Sims Creative where he was in charge of all creative production as the studio transitioned into Unreal Engine Animation and Virtual Production workflows. Aaron Sims Creative brings iconic characters and worlds to life including, READY PLAYER ONE, PLANET OF THE APES, I AM LEGEND, THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN, CLASH OF THE TITANS, THE CONJURING, and "STRANGER THINGS".

Alta Global Media

Steven Adams

Producer

Alta Global Media

Award winning Producer Steven Adams is a Founder of ALTA GLOBAL MEDIA where he represents international talent & media companies and is actively developing television and film projects with his clients. Adams also serves as Chief Strategist for Alta Global PR, the Marketing division of Alta Global Media. Adams served for 4 years as VFX Executive Producer with Paris-based VFX house BUF. VFX EP credits there include such Academy Award winners as James Cameron’s AVATAR, Ang Lee’s LIFE OF PI, THOR for Marvel Studios, as well as GREEN LANTERN, GREEN HORNET, Stephen Sommers’ ODD THOMAS, and Tim Burton’s DARK SHADOWS. Adams produced the Peabody Award winning A HUEY P NEWTON STORY, directed by Spike Lee. Other Luna Ray credits include BURNING SHADOWS, GOD’S WAITING LIST, JUSTICE, MY FATHER BELIZE and the indie pilot IT'S NOT ABOUT JIMMY KEENE, an official selection at Sundance 2019.

Mojo Global Arts

Sofia Rovaletti

Director of Development

Mojo Global Arts

Sofia Rovaletti is the Director of Development at the management and production company MoJo Global Arts, with an extensive understanding of the film and TV industry from concept development to the sales process. Mojo Global Arts in July 2022, Mojo Global Arts optioned a feature script from Stage 32 writer Michael Mendershausen after he connected with her through Stage 32! Mojo Global Arts was founded by Producer Morris Ruskin who has produced approximately sixty films including GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS. Sofia is the Executive Producer of the Feature Film MID-CENTURY which stars Bruce Dern and is being released through Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Previously, she worked in acquisitions for the sales agency Shoreline Entertainment. In her current role, she actively seeks new and diverse content and creators to feed the company’s slate.

NiteLite Pictures

Harry Lowell

Producer

NiteLite Pictures

Harry Lowell is an award-winning Producer, Showrunner, and Television Academy member. Harry has worked in collaboration with talents such as Kevin Hart, Paul Rudd, Pierce Brosnan, and Gwen Stefani. He began his career at Disney on projects including MEET THE ROBINSONS, UP, and WALL•E. Harry founded NiteLite Pictures in Los Angeles where he develops and produces scripted TV series, documentaries, and unscripted docu-series for networks and studios ranging from SyFy Channel and Disney to Discovery Channel and BBC America. NiteLite has co-productions deals with UK entity Berkley and has worked with the likes of Neil Brennan, LeBron James, Andra Day, and Peter Berg. His film work includes the feature LOCKED IN starring Ben Barnes, Eliza Dushku and Sarah Roemer, ALASKAN STEEL MAN, and the award-winning immigration documentary #WeLaGente.

Antihero Entertainment

Aengus McLoone

Development Executive

Antihero Entertainment

Aengus McLoone is the founder of Antihero Entertainment, where he focuses on horror, thrillers, sci-fi, and finding IP for TV and film adaptation. Since founding Antihero, he has sold a grounded sci-fi series to NBC with partners at Vertigo and Atomic Monster (THE CONJURING UNIVERSE), a series to Freevee with Steven Schneider (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY) and Vertigo, and a 1-hour adult animated horror series to Amazon with Vertigo. He has three features in development with Vertigo, including one based on a horror comic with Wattpad-Webtoon Studios, another to be written and directed by Ken Kobayashi (MOVE ON, HIT MONKEY, SUNNY), and another with director Chloe Okuno (WATCHER) attached. Aengus also has a thriller set up and financed by Limelight (PAM & TOMMY) and several comic books in development with showrunners like Patrick Somerville (MANIAC, STATION ELEVEN), Joe Mallozzi (STARGATE), and Matt Arnold (SIBERIA, EMERALD CITY). Prior to founding Antihero Entertainment, Aengus worked for Roy Lee at Vertigo Entertainment as their Director of Development. At Vertigo, he worked on high-profile projects like IT, NIMONA, DON’T WORRY DARLING, THE MOTHER, BARBARIAN, and HIS HOUSE. Before joining Vertigo, Aengus transitioned to management at Management 360, where he worked in both talent and literary departments and developed the horror script MAN ALIVE, which sold to FOX with Noah Hawley (FARGO) attached to direct.

Harris Films

David Harris

Producer

Harris Films

David Harris is a producer who has a deal with Millennium Films (THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD, ANGEL HAS FALLEN, EXPENDABLES franchise). David recently set up THE PROTECTOR at Millennium Films based on the thriller novel from David Morrell, the New York Times bestselling author who penned First Blood, the book that launched Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo movie franchise. David also produced the $15MM thriller film SECURITY with Nu Image / Millennium Films, which starred Antonio Banderas and Ben Kingsley. Recently, David hired a writer he met through Stage 32 to write the thriller he produced, DESOLATION, distributed by Gravitas Ventures. David has optioned two Stage 32 scripts and helped get another Stage 32 member a writing assignment with producer Luke Edwards.

Sandstone Artists

Kevin Nicklaus

Producer

Sandstone Artists

Kevin Nicklaus is a partner with the Los Angeles-based management and production company, Sandstone Artists. The company represents a wide range of talent from across the media landscape including actors, writers and directors for film and television. Their clients' works have been produced by globally recognized production companies, including Hulu, Twentieth Century Fox, Quiver, Paramount Pictures, MGM, Millennium, Searchlight, Warner Brothers, ION, Hallmark, and more. Kevin oversees the production division of the company, with projects set up with A-list directors, studio pods and a greenlit animated project. The only announced project is the first live-action English-language adaptation of Japanese mangaka Junji Ito's work, which was written by Jeff Howard and will be produced by Fangoria Studios.

Mind's Eye Entertainment

Thomas Pemberton

Development Executive

Mind's Eye Entertainment

Thomas Pemberton is the Development Executive at Mind's Eye Entertainment under producer Kevin DeWalt. They are currently in production on DIE ALONE starring Carrie Ann Moss and Frank Grillo announced in the Hollywood Reporter. Mind’s Eye has produced over $400 million in production and has garnered over 50 national and international awards. Thomas has worked on DANGEROUS with Mel Gibson and Famke Janssen, THE RECALL with Wesley Snipes, HUMANITY BUREAU with Oscar-winner Nicholas Cage, DISTORTED with Christina Ricci and John Cusack, DAUGHTER OF THE WOLF with Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfus, SCORE TO SETTLE again with Nicholas Cage, and a YA series based on the best selling books called AVALON.

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Coverfly vets all programs on its platform, but not every program is right for every writer. Program Insights help you decide where to submit your work.

2024 Winner on Coverfly

Top 3%
Feature  · Action  · 103 Pages
After a slacker office cleaner accidentally gains superhuman combat abilities from an experimental serum, she has one hour before it kills her to find a cure.
Santa Monica, CA
Tim's script KITBASH recently won Stage 32's Action/Thriller grand prize. He has won numerous other competitions and has years of experience in the film industry working for companies including Curate and Bleiberg Entertainment. Tim grew up in California and Germany, and has an MFA in screenwriting from LMU. Despite having a twin, he sadly isn't te...
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Announcements

Nov 29th
Semifinalists
Dec 20th
Finalists
Jan 3rd
Winners

Rules

At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.

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.