3rd Annual Romantic Comedy Screenwriting Contest

NEW THIS YEAR - Our Grand Prize Winner will be mentored for 1 year by Jim Strouse, the Writer/Director of last year's hit Romantic Comedy LOVE AGAIN starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan and Celine Dion which was released by Sony Pictures and now streams on Netflix!

PLUS - Our Grand Prize Winer will be flown to LA to meet with industry professionals who have worked on SEX EDUCATION, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, WOMEN LIKE US, A NICE GIRL LIKE YOU, BECKY, WEDDING SEASON, and more!

AND! - ALL finalists loglines will go into a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 500 entertainment industry executives!

Open to Feature Film and TV Pilot Scripts!

We are on the hunt for ALL types of Romantic Comedy movie and TV scripts - all stories are welcome! We are looking for scripts like:

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, LOVE SIMON, PRETTY WOMAN, YOU'VE GOT MAIL, BRIDGET JONES DIARY, YOUR PLACE OR MINE, JERRY MAGUIRE, RYE LANE, BROS, LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, THINK LIKE A MAN, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, TICKET TO PARADISE, JUST WRIGHT

But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before!

For the last 12 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 a Romantic Comedy 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!

This contest gets results.

Our 1st annual winners were signed to Sovereign Talent Group and last year's winner is in LA now meeting with managers and producers post-strike - follow her journey on our Instagram @stage32scripts!

Script Coverage & Resubmission Options

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? 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. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

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 May 4th, 2024.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage to all who enter our contests for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on June 28th, 2024. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Resubmission Option

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 April 29th, 2024. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

The Prizes

Our Grand Prize winner will:

• Our Grand Prize Winner will be mentored for 1 year by Jim Strouse, the Writer/Director of the hit Romantic Comedy LOVE AGAIN starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan and Celine Dion which was released by Sony Pictures and is now streaming on Netflix.
• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with judges including:
  • TAMMY HUNT, Producer & Manager, SANDSTONE ARTISTS (BECKY, WOMEN LIKE US)
  • JAY GLAZER, Manager & Producer, NEON KITE (SEX EDUCATION, ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME)
  • NICHOLAS BOGNER, Literary Manager, AFFIRMATIVE ENTERTAINMENT (WEDDING SEASON, NO STRINGS ATTACHED)
  • LEYLA DAHM, Producer, GAZEBO SPRINGS (TO THE END, SONGS OF SOLOMON)
  • KELLY MCKENDRY, Producer, AUGUST POINT PRODUCTIONS (MENDING THE LINE)
  • MCKENNA MARSHALL, Producer, MARSHALL ARTS (JANE, DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH)
  • JALESSA JONES, Development Executive (CRUEL SUMMER, YELLOWJACKETS)
  • LISKA OSTOJIC, Head of Development, 120E FILMS (TEST PATTERN, PAPER TIGER)
  • MICAH BROCKER, Literary Manager, CORVISIERO LITERARY AGENCY (client credits include FOREVER MY GIRL, THE MAZE RUNNER series)

• 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' ROOM, an 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 Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, 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! We never stop working for you.

Our 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 winner, Jenna D'Angelo gained massive traction on her winning script LADY PLAYER and is currently taking a full slate of meetings in LA with managers and producers.
  

• 1st Annual Romantic Comedy Contest winners, Callie & Richard Zelniker, signed with Lanette Mastandrea at Sovereign Talent Group, whose client credits include FRIENDS and SHE HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW. They are also currently working with a producer they met through Stage 32 to develop their script! Check out their blog here to read all about what they're up to.
• Previous finalists have had their work requested by managers and producers at The Cartel, 3Arts, ShowKat Productions and more!

Don't believe us? Let 1st Annual Romantic Comedy Contest Winners Callie and Richard Zeiniker tell you why you should enter! 

Tammy Hunt (Judge) - Partner, Sandstone Artists

Tammy is a partner with the Los Angeles based management and production company, Sandstone Artists. The company represents individuals of various creative roles in the entertainment industry primarily actors, writers and directors.

Her clients, past and present, have been nominated for many prestigious awards including Emmy’s and Academy Awards, written and directed for multi-billion dollar franchises, starred in films for Clint Eastwood, Brian De Palma, Wolfgang Petersen, Richard Donner, Penny Marshall, Brad Furman, Chris Columbus, Denzel Washington, Martin Scorsese, and many more. She has had writers and producers work for MGM, NBC, Universal Television, CBS, USA Network, History Channel, ABC, FOX, and many others.

She was a co-executive producer on her clients film - Becky - that became the number one box office hit for the month of June in 2020. The film starred Lulu Wilson, Kevin James and Joel McHale.

Jay Glazer (Judge) - Manager, Neon Kite

Jay Glazer is a manager/producer who represents creatives in film, television, & theatre. Jay most recently produced Body Language for MarVista Entertainment, starring Christina Milian and Steven Strait.

In 2021, Jay departed ROAR to join Neon Kite, where he represents creatives in literary and talent - showrunners, directors, staff writers, auteurs, and actors in film, television, and theater. His debut feature, Get Luke Lowe, premiered in 2020. He has active projects with Mandalay Pictures, H2L, Storied Media Group, and Storyboard Entertainment.

 

Jay grew up in NYC and fell in love with quintessential New York filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Sidney Lumet, and Woody Allen, fostering his film knowledge and cultivating his passion for driving creative careers. Jay studied business and film at The University of Southern California. While studying, he worked at Brillstein Entertainment Partners & The Gersh Agency, where he started his professional career in the talent department.

Nicholas Bogner (Judge) - Literary Manager & Producer, Affirmative Entertainment

Nicholas Bogner has been a Producer and Literary Manager at Affirmative Entertainment for the last fifteen years and currently is the Head of Literary. Under his stewardship, he has had numerous movies made including WEDDING SEASON for Netflix, INFINITE STORM for Sony, along with COME PLAY for Amblin and Focus Features, and has sold television pilots to just about all of the majors from network to streamers. In addition, many of his writers have been staffed at various levels of successful shows over the years including a supernatural thriller sold to Paramount.

Previously, Bogner served as Vice President of Original Programming for TNT. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development of all long-form – including two-hour movies, backdoor pilots, and mini-series - for the network’s TNT Originals franchise. Bogner worked on several high-profile projects including Steven Spielberg’s twelve-hour mini INTO THE WEST as well as Stephen King’s SALEM’S LOT. Beyond these projects, Bogner shepherded over 15 movies into production.

Bogner has two produced credits as a screenwriter, THE LITTLE DEATH and NO STRINGS ATTACHED. He also produced SOCCER MOM starring Emily Osment and Missi Pyle for Starz and Anchor Bay. Most recently, he produced A NICE GIRL LIKE YOU (based on a non-fiction book by Ayn Carrillo- Gailey) which stars Lucy Hale.

Leyla Dahm (Judge) - Producer, Gazebo Springs

Leyla Kader Dahm is a producer at the independent production company Gazebo Springs which has projects with Columbia Pictures and Nickelodeon Original Films. Additional Gazebo Springs projects include scripts in development with ShadowMachine and Untitled Entertainment.

Leyla worked as a literary manager and producer at Zero Gravity Management, where she worked closely with companies including CAA, SpectreVision, Dark Castle, Animal Logic, and Nickelodeon Original Films. She then moved to CSP Management before leaving the rep side to focus on independent producing. She started out in development and production at Miramax/Dimension Films and went on to become a script analyst for clients including Mike De Luca Productions, Broadway Video, The Weinstein Company, and Big Beach.

Leyla ran the film development department for Hollywood veterans Ed Jones and Cary Granat and oversaw the narrative for rock star Perry Farrell's proposed Las Vegas immersive experience, “KIND HEAVEN.”

Leyla has worked as a development executive, a literary manager, and a screenwriter and knows the industry from all angles and as a result, has a great depth of knowledge and lots of constructive advice to offer.

McKenna Marshall (Judge) - Producer, Marshall Arts

McKenna Marshall is an independent producer who has worked on films such as DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH and JANE, starring Oscar-winner Melissa Leo. Her films have landed on STARZ and PEACOCK. Previously, Marshall worked for The Kennedy/Marshall Company and Miramax.

 

At Miramax, McKenna worked under legendary producer and former CEO Bill Block, and she was credited on films such as HALLOWEEN (2018) directed by David Gordon Green, as well as THE PERFECTION (2018) directed by Richard Shepard, which landed on Netflix.

Jalessa Jones (Judge) - Development Executive, CRUEL SUMMER, YELLOWJACKETS

Jalessa Jones (pronounced like Melissa with a J) was most recently manager of scripted TV development at Entertainment One where she worked on CRUEL SUMMER (Freeform) and YELLOWJACKETS (Showtime), was the point executive for Keke Palmer's producing deal with the studio, and similarly contributed to the development slates for Marti Noxon, Constance Wu, Tim Story, Sherry Marsh, and Niecy Nash. Previously, she's worked at literary management company, MetaMorphic Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Media Res, and Circle of Confusion.

A mid-western girl both at heart and in superior taste in pizza, Jalessa attended Columbia College Chicago's excellent Television program, where her academic focus revolved around the development, writing, producing, and directing of scripted and unscripted television. Always the romantic, she prides herself on her inability to set what some might consider practical or tangible goals, so naturally, she aspires to one day be the Shonda Rhimes of the Y.A. television space.

Liska Ostojic (Judge) - Head of Development, 120E Films

Liska Ostojic is the Head of Development for 120E Films, a company run by producer Pin-Chun Liu (PAPER TIGER, TEST PATTERN). Focusing on stories of diverse and underrepresented voices for an international market, 120E Films is interested in short-form and feature-length content that is timely and impactful.

 

Previously Liska worked at Dreamworks Animation where she was involved in films such as MEGAMIND and THE BEE MOVIE. After graduating with an MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory, Liska co-wrote the award-winning shorts CONTRAPELO and WAY IN RYE, as well as numerous commissioned features.

 

Her passion remains collaborating with and mentoring writers, discovering wonderful stories that deserve to be told, and championing ones that will make a difference in the world.

Kelly McKendry (Judge) - August Point Productions, Chief Content Officer

Kelly McKendry is the founder and Chief Content Officer at August Point Productions, where she develops and produces a strong slate of features and scripted or unscripted television projects, including podcasts and theatre.

McKendry produced the feature film MENDING THE LINE (2022), starring Brian Cox, Sinqua Walls, and Patricia Heaton. Among other projects she is currently producing a crime docu-series with Village Roadshow, and a feature film based on a NY Times best-selling novel. 

Micah Brocker (Judge) - Literary Manager, Corvisiero Literary Agency

Micah Brocker is a Literary Manager at Corvisiero Literary Agency. She works with Tessa Shaffer, Vice President and Senior Literary Manager, to represent screenwriters and novelists. Currently, she assists on a wide range of material and clients within Corvisiero Agency, from book to screen adaptations, to unscripted content.

Micah is actively looking for screenwriters and novelists in YA who deal with messy relationships and issues that can help young adults put words to real experiences. In the adult range, she's particularly seeking dramas with burdensome secrets, messy relationships, and a character with a deep desire to change their life, the world, etc., especially with a psychological, sci-fi, or romantic twist!

Corvisiero Literary Agency signed Kim Hornsby (USA Today Bestselling author) and Mark Stouffer (WILD AMERICA) from Stage 32 consults.

 

Jim Strouse (Judge) - Writer/Director, LOVE AGAIN, LONESOME JIM, THE INCREDIBLE JESSICA JAMES

James C. Strouse is a screenwriter and film director. He wrote the film LONSESOME JIM (2005), directed by Steve Buscemi. He then made his directorial debut with GRACE IS GONE (2007), starring John Cusack.

He's written 8 films including PEOPLE PLACES THINGS, THE HOLLARS, THE INCREDIBLE JESSICA JAMES, NEW YORK I LOVE YOU, and most recently LOVE AGAIN, starring Priyanka Chopra, Sam Heughan and Celine Dion.