Subscribe
Currently Closed. Subscribe to receive a notification when the next season opens.
Stage 32
Stage 32 Comedy Feature Screenwriting Competition
2024
Active Since 2015
Stage 32 is proud to present the 9th Annual Comedy Feature Screenwriting Competition!
Subscribe
Currently Closed. Subscribe to receive a notification when the next season opens.

About

The Longest Running Comedy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!


Ever dreamt of seeing your feature comedy 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 be flown to LA to meet industry professionals who’ve worked on iconic hits like THE HOLDOVERS, OLD DADS, CONFESS FLETCH, DIE HART, JOY RIDE, VACATION FRIENDS, and more!


But that’s not all! Every finalist’s logline will be featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 1,000 top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure.

Open to Feature Film Scripts!

Laughing until we cry is one of the bedrocks of entertainment. From the goofy nostalgic delight of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE to the relentless hi-jinx of THE FALL GUY and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS, audiences can’t get enough laughter with their powerful storytelling. This year alone, comedies like BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE and DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE have topped the box office. The appetite for hilarious comedies is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!


We’re on the lookout for all types of comedy scripts! Rollicking action-comedies? Spooky horror comedies? Sugary sweet romantic comedies? The next legendary road-trip buddy romp? We want to see it all!

 

Feature film scripts like:

THE FALL GUY, BARBIE, GLASS ONION, BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F, BOTTOMS, RICKY STANICKY, YOU PEOPLE, NO HARD FEELINGS, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, ASTEROID CITY, QUIZ LADY, FREE GUY, LISA FRANKENSTEIN, PALM SPRINGS, POLITE SOCIETY, BUDDY GAMES, FOOL'S PARADISE, SHIVA BABY, JACKPOT!, DUMB MONEY, and more!

 

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original comedic 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 comedy ready to bust our guts, this is your moment to shine. Let us help take your writing career to the next level!

Benefits

Our Grand Prize Winner will:

  • -- Be flown to LA to meet with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like THE HOLDOVERS, VACATION FRIENDS, OLD DADS, CONFESS FLETCH, DIE HART, and more!
  •  
-- Work with Stage 32 to develop a market-ready pitch deck for your winning script.

-- Have your logline and bio sent out and pitched to an exclusive roster of agents and managers actively seeking new talent.

-- Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, gaining access to over 3,000 hours of educational content and networking with industry heavyweights.

-- Continue to receive support from the Stage 32 team, who will work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

And that’s not all—if you make it to the Finals, you’ll still get massive exposure to key industry players. Finalists will receive a free month in the Stage 32 Writers’ Room and have their logline and bio included in our sought-after Look Book, sent to over 500 industry execs!

Our Feature Screenwriting Contest Winners See Results!

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 winners, the mother-daughter writing team of Kelly & Megan Anelons gained massive traction on her winning script BEST LAID PLANS, as they took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Circle of Confusion, Suite 06, two Emmy-nominated Producers, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for comedy stories.


Our 7th Annual Comedy Feature winners, Bobby & Rachel Eddy  flew out to LA and met with industry professionals, where they met a producer with whom they're developing their script JEW-(ISH)!

 

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.

 


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.

Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency!

Previous contest 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!

Previous Contest 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.

At Stage 32, we will set you up on more meetings and put you in front of more Hollywood executives who are actively working in the industry than anyone else!

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.

Comedy 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!

Judges

Grand Prize winner will be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with:
Executive VP, Production

Andrew Golov

MIRAMAX

Executive VP, Production

Andrew Golov is the Executive Vice President of Production at Miramax. As a production executive, Golov has worked with world-renowned directors such as Steve McQueen, Alexander Payne, Robert Zemeckis, and Chris McQuarrie on a diverse array of films that span across genres and budgets, including Best Picture Oscar winning film, “12 YEARS A SLAVE” and five-time Academy Award-nominated “THE HOLDOVERS”. Andrew is Executive Producer on David Ayer’s box office hit “THE BEEKEEPER”, starring Jason Statham. At Miramax, Andrew served as Executive Producer on the top grossing “HALLOWEEN ENDS” and “HALLOWEEN KILLS”, starring Jamie Lee Curtis; caper comedy “CONFESS, FLETCH”, starring Jon Hamm; Guy Ritchie’s “WRATH OF MAN” and the box office hit “THE GENTLEMEN” featuring Matthew McConaughey and Hugh Grant. In addition, he was Executive Producer on the Netflix hit "HE'S ALL THAT” directed by Mark Waters, “MOTHER, ANDROID” with Chloë Grace Moretz, and the thriller “SICK”, co-written by Kevin Williamson. Throughout a storied career that includes membership as a DGA Director and successful achievements in development, production, and post-production, Andrew has maintained a deep appreciation for the art of filmmaking and the teamwork required to bring a project to fruition. He started his career in the development department at NBC before revitalizing Motown West Sound Studio into the successful post-production facility Signet Sound, and created production departments at Spelling Films, Artisan Entertainment, River Road Productions, and the relaunch of Miramax.

Hartbeat Productions

Luke Kelly-Clyne

EVP, Head of Independent Film & Production

Hartbeat Productions

Luke is a producer, writer, director, and Co-Head of HartBeat’s independent TV & Film Studio, HartBeat Independent, where he oversees and produces a variety of film and TV projects, including Roku’s Emmy and NAACP Image Award-nominated DIE HART series, Netflix’s NAACP Image Award-nominated KEVIN HART & CHRIS ROCK: HEADLINERS ONLY, Hulu’s PROM DATES, E!’s CELEBRITY PRANK WARS, Peacock’s BACK THAT YEAR UP series, and many more. Luke has already discovered 3 projects through Stage 32 that he has bought up for consideration in house at HartBeat! Before joining HartBeat, Luke served as President at Propagate Content’s comedy studio, Big Breakfast, where he was Executive Producer of the company’s slate of unscripted and scripted feature, TV, and digital projects including: MTV Films’ OUT OF OFFICE and CURSED FRIENDS (both of which he also Produced), Discovery+’s Critics Choice Award-nominated MILLION DOLLAR WHEELS, truTV’s DOUBLE CROSS WITH BLAKE GRIFFIN, Comedy Central’s LOAFY, Facebook Watch’s Telly Award-winning I WANT MY PHONE BACK, NAACP Image Award-winning DARING SIMONE BILES, Discovery and MotorTrend’s KEVIN HART’S MUSCLE CAR CREW, and Pop TV's HOT DATE on which he also served as showrunner. Luke ran Native Content at CollegeHumor where he created and ran several of the brand’s most successful digital series. During this time, he was also a Freelance Contributing Writer to Weekend Update on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. He authors the long-running Vulture column, FUNNY VIDEOS OF THE MONTH, hosts the HeadGum podcast, I'M STILL RIGHT, and is a guest lecturer in the Film and Media Studies department at Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

American High

Will Phelps

 Head Of Production

American High

Will Phelps is the Head of Production at American High, a production company he helms alongside writer/director, Jeremy Garelick (THE WEDDING RINGER, MURDER MYSTERY 2). Started in 2014, American High famously purchased an abandoned high school in upstate New York, to unleash the next generation of high school comedies on the world. Will's served as a Producer on over a dozen films, including BIG TIME ADOLESCENCE, starring Pete Davidson; THE BINGE, starring Skyler Gisondo and Vince Vaughn, and it's holiday-themed sequel IT'S A WONDERFUL BINGE; in addition to numerous indie comedy darlings over the last decade like PROM DATES, MIGUEL WANTS TO FIGHT, I LOVE MY DAD, PLAN B, and THE ULTIMATE PLAYLIST OF NOISE. His other producing credits include BANANA SPLIT, HOLLY SLEPT OVER, LOOKS THAT KILL, SID IS DEAD, CRUSH, SEX APPEAL and the upcoming EMPIRE WAIST. Will started his career working in production for Paradigm Talent Agency. After rising through the ranks on several projects (The Wedding Ringer, Shaq Inq (tv pilot), Detour (tv pilot)), he became the head of Feature Development at Mailbox Baseball Productions under Garelick, one of the most sought after names in comedy, and it was off to the races.

Kersey Management

Andrew Kersey

Literary Manager

Kersey Management

Andrew Kersey is a Literary Manager working in feature film and television who's clients have worked with all of Hollywood’s major film studios and streamers. His amazing clients have sold pilots to or been staffed on TV series for ABC, FOX, NBC, Disney Channel, CW, Nickelodeon, and WGN America, to name a few. Clients have also appeared on Hollywood’s buzzy Young & Hungry List. Recently, Amazon Studios bought his client’s action comedy spec NEVER TOO OLD TO DIE with Sylvester Stallone attached to star which was featured in Deadline. Thunder Road Pictures (JOHN WICK franchise) is producing another client’s project, SUSPENSION, and is now currently out to talent. His clients previously wrote VACATION FRIENDS starring John Cena and Lil Rel was Hulu's biggest 3-day weekend opener for an original in the streamers history. A sequel, VACATION FRIENDS 2, was immediately fast-tracked. Andrew sold his client sci-fi spec script, VARIETAL, to Universal with Mike De Luca, the Oscar-nominated producer behind THE SOCIAL NETWORK and the FIFTY SHADES OF GREY movies, producing! You can read more in The Hollywood Reporter here. His clients have been represented by all the major talent agencies, including WME, CAA, UTA, Gersh, APA, and Paradigm. His clients’ projects have been packaged — and many sold — with such names as Sandra Bullock, The Rock, Lil Rel Howery, Chris Pratt, Anna Faris, Ice Cube, Sylvester Stallone, Zach Galifianakis, Maggie Q, and Adam Scott. Andrew worked his way up through the industry, starting as a production company intern before working for the management and production powerhouse 3Arts Entertainment. He left 3Arts to get experience in development at a Universal production company, before starting his own management company, Kersey Management, in 2004. In the film space, clients of Andrew’s literary management company have had projects distributed by IFC, Saban Films, Well Go USA Entertainment and Anchor Bay Films.

Organically Grown Productions

Michael C. McGuire

Producer

Organically Grown Productions

Michael M. McGuire is a producer, award winning filmmaker and executive with over 15 years experience actively working in the industry. Michael has served as a producer on over 20 feature films and a handful of TV series. His most recent efforts include the NETFLIX led film OLD DADS, directed by and starring Bill Burr, and Michael's credits as a producer includes films such as THE APOLOGY, starring Anna Gunn and Janeane Garofalo; RESURRECTION, starring Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth, distributed by IFC FILMS; and AMERICAN REFUGEE from BLUMHOUSE, in addition to Adam Egypt Mortimer's last two films ARCHENEMY and DANIEL ISN'T REAL, the Nicholas Cage led film COLOR OUT OF SPACE, and the 2017 Sundance official selection BITCH. Prior to going out on his own as a producer, Michael was a Production Executive at SpectreVision, where he oversaw a slate of films that included the Nicholas Cage led, Panos Cosmatos directed cult classic MANDY, and the equally cult-classic status dark comedy film THE GREASY STRANGLER, directed by Jim Hosking. Michael is focused on telling meaningful, character driven stories in a variety of formats, including feature films, episodic, documentaries and commercials/branded content.

Suite 06

Chisom Ude

Producer

Suite 06

Chisom Ude is an independent producer at Suite 06 with an eye for marketable talent and an expertise in creating entertaining material for BIPOC women and non-binary audiences. Chisom was key to the development and production of the wide-release feature comedy, JOY RIDE, rated 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Most recently a Creative Executive in Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, Chisom’s development slate spanned over twenty titles including a NOW YOU SEE ME sequel, as well as a dramedy penned and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (KING RICHARD). In the last two years, she has managed five features in production and post including the action-thriller SHADOW FORCE starring Kerry Washington, and Adele Lim’s directorial debut JOY RIDE starring Ashley Park (Emily in Paris) and Stephanie Hsu (EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE). Prior to her film career in Los Angeles, Chisom worked in global finance in London and in unscripted television at BET. Chisom’s exposure to various environments has continued to shape her ability to identify concepts that resonate with a wide audience. Chisom earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Princeton University.

Kelly Hayes

Producer

Kelly Hayes is an independent producer and development executive working in feature films and television. He recently produced MOPE, starring David Arquette and Max Adler, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He was instrumental in the development and sale of Boys Are Stupid Throw Rocks At Them at Universal. He developed the Blacklist script Doppelgängers, written by Evan and Shea Mirzai. Kelly is currently producing and developing numerous feature films, including the winning script of Stage 32's 10th Annual Search for New Blood contest, PSYCHOPATHY, by writers Tanya Klein and Jim Cirile. In television, Kelly has led the sale of numerous projects such as "Thunderballs" at Spike, "Black Girls Are Easy" at VH1, and Glory Daze" at TBS. He produced the Fox Digital series "Bad Samaritans", which is streaming on Netflix. Before becoming an independent producer, Kelly worked as the Director of Development at Grace Hill Media and for The Walt Becker Company as the Director of Development and Production, where he was involved in the development and sale of projects to Universal. Kelly was also an Associate Producer on the Walt Disney Studios film Old Dogs starring John Travolta and Robin Williams.

Shoot to Midnight

Colleen Labella

Producer

Shoot to Midnight

Colleen Labella is the Vice Presiden of Development for Leslye Headland's company, Shoot to Midnight, which developed the Emmy award winning show, RUSSIAN DOLL for Netflix, and the recently released THE ACOLYTE (a STAR WARS series) for Disney+. Colleen is also a producer on the Freeform show, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE. Her projects currently in development include "MILK FED" (based on the book of the same name), an untitled comedy series for FX, Catya McMullen's feature film GEORGIA MERTCHING IS DEAD and a number of other series under Headland's overall deal with 20th Century Fox. Colleen has read hundreds of scripts over her career and sold projects to FX, Hulu, Freeform and Lucasfilm. Colleen also has a background in directing theatre and is particularly interested in queer and female-centric storytelling.

CEL Films

Colin Edward Lawrence

Producer

CEL Films

Colin Lawrence is a writer, director, and producer, who principles his own production company CEL Films. As an independent producer, Colin has worked on dozens of films and TV shows, including THE MISFITS, starring Pierce Brosnan, Nick Cannon, and Tim Roth, and directed by Renny Harlin; in addition to the Netflix film, SIGHTLESS, starring Madelaine Petsch (RIVERDALE). Additionally, Colin wrote the films IMMORTAL CITY RECORDS and IS MY DAUGHTER REALLY DEAD?, which he also directed. Colin worked on movies like ADVENTURES OF THE NAKED UMBRELLA and THE FAST & THE FIERCE, as a Unit Production Manager, while Executive Producing the Rom-Coms, A TALE OF TWO CHRISTMASES and LOVE ON REPEAT. He's also written and produced 3 TV Movies in A DANGEROUS DATE, A MOTHER'S WORST FEAR, and IN BED WITH A KILLER, which he also directed. Previously Colin spent five years in development at various industry shingles, and four years as a staff producer at New Wave Entertainment. He also produced the Snapchat original content series THE ME AND YOU SHOW, created by Zack Bornstein. Colin regularly works on features, shorts, shows, sketches, and commercials, and he is always looking for his next great project. He believes in the power of the mind and spirit, the value of hard work, good food and good films.

Mighty Engine

Jared Goldman

Producer

Mighty Engine

Jared Goldman is a producer with over 25 years experience in the industry, who helms the production company Mighty Engine. Jared has produced and executive produced over 25 films, including most recently ABOUT MY FATHER, written by and starring Sebastian Maniscalco alongside Robert De Niro, distributed via Lionsgate.  Jared's prolific producing credits include films like the Michael Douglas vehicle SOLITARY MAN; the Rob Reiner and Morgan Freeman film THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLAND; KILL YOUR DARLINGS starring Daniel Radcliffe and directed by John Krokidas; the Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig led film THE SKELETON TWINS; the Nick Kroll penned comedy film ADULT BEGINNERS, another Michael Douglas & Rob Reiner movie, also starring Diane Keaton called AND SO IT GOES; the Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton multi-award-winning film LOVING, directed by Jeff Nichols; WILSON, starring Woody Harrelson and Laura Dern; and the Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, Billy Magnussen vehicle INGRID GOES WEST, which premiered at Sundance, where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award; in addition to ALEX STRANGELOVE, which was written by his frequent artistic collaborator Craig Johnson. Jared also produced the Justin Timberlake starrer PALMER, Antonio Campos' adaptation of THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME, starring Tom Holland, and the film adaptation of Shirley Jackson's masterpiece, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE, starring Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, Sebastian Stan and Crispin Glover Jared began his career at MIRAMAX in Acquisitions, before moving on to GreeneStreet Films, where he was manager of the production department on a wide range of films and shows, including: IN THE BEDROOM, UPTOWN GIRLS, ROMANCE & CIGARETTES, SWIMFAN, and A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION. During his time at GreeneStreet, Goldman worked with Sony Pictures, MGM, Paramount, Fox, and Miramax Films. Goldman departed GreeneStreet in late 2005 to produce MANDA BALA (Send a Bullet) which went on to win Grand Jury Prize: Documentary at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. He followed up the win with the 2008 Sundance Audience Award prize-winning film THE WACKNESS, starring Josh Peck & Sir Ben Kingsley. Goldman also produced TENURE, starring Luke Wilson; and GENERATION UM.., starring Keanu Reeves. Goldman has also produced a number of documentaries. In 2010 he produced the Dan Hurlin documentary, PUPPET and the Starz film INSHA'ALLAH DEMOCRACY, filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi's personal exploration of former exiled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and his quest to re-win Pakistan's presidential election. His latest documentary NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, was distributed by Showtime. In the TV Space, Jared served as a producer on the 2019 THE PUNISHER TV Series and the hit-Netflix miniseries RUSSIAN DOLL. 

Mighty Engine

Zola Elgart Glassman (Judge)

Producer

Mighty Engine

Zola Elgart Glassman is a producer and development executive at Mighty Engine, the production company led by Jared Goldman, who helped produce the recent comedy hit ABOUT MY FATHER, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, distributed by Lionsgate.  Zola worked as a producer on the 2022 film ALONE TOGETHER, written, directed by, and starring Katie Holmes; the action-thriller PANAMA, starring Mel Gibson; and the action-comedy HIGH HEAT, starring Olga Kurylenko and Don Johnson, all while serving as the Director of Development at Yale Productions.  Prior to joining Yale, Glassman worked in film finance and sales for 30WEST, where she was involved in a range of projects including director Tarik Saleh’s thriller VIOLENCE IN ACTION, starring Chris Pine and Ben Foster, and a legal thriller from director Kevin Macdonald, starring Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch, Shailene Woodley and Tahar Rahim. Earlier in her career, Zola was an assistant to Jared Goldman, working alongside him on projects like ALEX STRANGELOVE, INGRID GOES WEST, and THE PUNISHER TV series. 

2023 Winner on Coverfly

See Other Placements

Announcements

Mar 28th
Semifinalists
Apr 11th
Finalists
Apr 25th
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.