Stage 32
New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest
2024
Active Since 2020
Stage 32 is excited to announce our 5th Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest!
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About

A great animated film or TV show combines adventurous storytelling, colorful character development, visually stunning animation, and a imaginative spirit to create an immersive and memorable experience. Classic animated shows like THE SIMPSONS or SOUTH PARK are some of the most watched series of all time, in the television and film spaces. Current animated franchises like DESPICABLE ME, INSIDE OUT, and MOANA have fans waiting on the edge of their seats for upcoming sequels. So far this year, KUNG FU PANDA 4 is the third highest grossing movie of any 2024 release. And just recently THE GARFIELD MOVIE beat FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA at the box office opening weekend. Audiences are always ready for that next animated hit -- and we want it be YOURS!


We are on the hunt for ALL types of Animation scripts - all stories are welcome!


We are looking for feature animation scripts like: TOY STORY, MONSTERS INC, KUNG FU PANDA, THE INCREDIBLES, IF, SPIDER-VERSE, WISH, ELEMENTAL, RATATOUILLE, SUPER MARIO BROS, PUSS IN BOOTS, ENCANTO, WOLFWALKERS, MEGAMIND, 9, LUCA, YOUR NAME, SPIRITED AWAY


We are looking for TV animation scripts like: SPONGE BOB SQUAREPANTS, BOB'S BURGERS, KING OF THE HILL, HEY ARNOLD,  FUTURAMA, RECESS, DOUG, ARCHER, FAIRLY ODD PARENTS, THE FLINTSTONES, LOVE DEATH ROBOTS, INVINCIBLE, STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH, PHINEAS & FERB, THE PROUD FAMILY, MARVEL'S WHAT IF, FAMILY GUY, THE BOONDOCKS


  • 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 animated 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 mentored by Paul Watling, longtime animation Writer, Storyboard Artist, and Head of Story on hit animated films and series such as SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, ED EDD N EDDY, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, and THE SNOOPY SHOW!

  •  
  • > Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with:
  • -- Jason Stiff, Producer, Bento Box Animation (SPONGE BOB SQUAREPANTS, FAIRLY ODD PARENTS, KING OF THE HILL, INVADER ZIM)
  • -- Siobhan Murphy, Literary Manager, The Gotham Group (Client credits include STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH, SONIC PRIME)
  • -- Josh Mandel, Senior Development Executive, Amazon Kids+ (MINONS: THE RISE OF GRU, ANGRY BIRDS MYSTERY ISLAND)
  • -- Alfredo Marun, Creative Producer & Development Consultant, Disney and DreamWorks (KIPO & THE AGE OF WONDERBEASTS, THE MIGHTY ONES)
  • --  CJ Jones, Creative Executive, Lion Forge Entertainment (IYANU: CHILD OF WONDER, BOSSY BEAR, THE TINY CHEF SHOW)
  • -- Michael Poisson, Emmy-Nominated Writer & Producer (ROBOT CHICKEN, CROSSING SWORDS)
  • -- Ariel Goldberg, Director of Talent Acquisition, Skydance Animation (LUCK, WONDLA, SPELLBOUND)
  • -- Monica Lago-Kaytis, Producer, Frogbot Films (ZOOTOPIA, WRECK IT RALPH)
  • -- Wes Ambrecht, Producer & Head of Studio Partnerships, TITAN 1 STUDIOS (THE TIME TRAVELLER'S DAUGHTER, THE EVENTS AT UNITY FARM, WELCOME TO THE ESTUARY)

      • >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!


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Coverfly Program Insights
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 1%
Feature  · Fantasy  · 113 Pages
Cinderella's stepsisters attempt to revamp their ugly public image by rescuing Cinderella and Prince Charming after the newlyweds are kidnapped by an evil fairy in league with their mother.
Los Angeles, California
Melinda & Chris Saranchock like to think of themselves as the Sonny and Cher of writing partnerships, but with more staying power and less singing (although they will sing if asked). Their latest feature is a 2023 PAGE Awards Gold Prize winner, Nicholl quarterfinalist, top 50 Launch Pad pick, ScreenCraft Family winner, TrackingB Honorable Mention, a...
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Announcements

Nov 1st
Semifinalists
Nov 22nd
Finalists
Dec 6th
Winners

Rules

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.