7th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW THE WINNER

It's the golden age of Sci-Fi and Fantasy right now. If you have the next EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, NOPE, SEVERANCE, BLACK MIRROR, SIMULANT, SLUMBERLAND, THE KING'S DAUGHTER, SCHOOL OF GOOD AND EVIL, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, THE MANDALORIAN, THE WITCHER or STRANGER THINGS, we want to see it. These are massive hits and just a few of the incredible films and shows that transport us to different worlds. Sci-Fi and Fantasy are pushing new boundaries, exploring universal themes while tackling hard topics. We want YOU to have the next breakout Sci-Fi or Fantasy phenomenon!

Our previous Sci-Fi contest winners have been flown out to LA and have met with agents, managers and producers who have all moved the needle on their career, including getting writing assignments and representation! And, last year’s finalists had their work requested by top production and management companies including 3ARTS and VERVE!

If you have a Sci-Fi or Fantasy 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!

Script Coverage & Resubmission Options
Enter the contest today and you can also receive coverage notes AND submit an updated version of your script before the contest ends. Just click the appropriate check boxes at checkout.

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

The Prizes

The Grand Prize Winner Will:

• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with top professionals currently working in the industry at companies
  • Mickey Fisher, Writer/Producer (EXTANT, THE STRAIN)
  • Michael Fry, Producer (A QUIET PLACE, BUMBLEBEE)
    
  • Sean Bartemes, Head of Scripted TV, Unanimous Media (THE HUNGER GAMES, CATCHING FIRE)
  • Eric Hsiao, Creative Executive, Justin Lin's Perfect Storm (Company Credits include STAR TREK BEYOND, F9: THE FAST SAGA)
  • Agustine Calderon, VP of Features, 3PAS STUDIOS (ASSASSIN'S CREED, THE REVENANT)
  • Drew Smith, Creative Executive, Unique Features (Company Credits include SHADOW HUNTERS, NIGHT TEETH)
  • Michael Peterson, Creative Executive, Phoenix Pictures (Company Credits include BLACK SWAN, SHUTTER ISLAND)
  • Cindy Villlareal, Founder, Majestic Productions (PETER PAN, SECRET DIARY OF AN AMERICAN CHEERLEADER)
  • Chris Naughton, Creative Executive, A+E Studios (THE LIBERATOR, NATIONAL PARKS)
• 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 after the strike is over.
• 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 2,000 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!

Our Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenwriting 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?

Unprecedented access. Better exposure. More reads. Real success!

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner Bill Poore: "This contest feels like a game changer."

Bill went on to with Final Draft Big Break and is now signed with a manager!

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner John Dummer: "I don't imagine there is a contest that can do more for you than this one!"

John went on a whirlwind of meetings after his win, which lead to Wonder Woman Producer Stephen Jones sending John's script to Atlas Entertainment (Justice League, Suicide Squad), as well as Talent Agent Shawn Burns sending out his script to managers that specialize in sci-fi writers!

Our Grand Prize Winner Ben Gross, writer of THE LADIES' GUIDE TO HACKING met with and is working through concepts with manager Daniel Vang from Good Fear Film + Management, has been commissioned to write a script for Daniel Herther, VP of Development from Baker Entertainment Group and met with Spencer Malof from the Illusinarium and met and was mentored by Marc Zicree (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica).

Our 2nd Place Winner, Ryan Lee, writer of TOWER 9 was optioned by studio producer Mitchell Peck!

Want to see the successes of ALL Stage 32 contests? CLICK HERE!

Judge’s Credits and Company Credits Include:

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: May 18th, 2023

Early Bird Deadline: June 14th, 2023

Regular Deadline: July 5th, 2023

Final Deadline: July 26th, 2023

Quarterfinalist Announcement: September 29th, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: October 20th, 2023

Finalist Announcement: November 3rd, 2023

Winner Announcement: November 17th, 2023

Submission Options

Feedback & Resubmission Option

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 August 5th, 2023.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on September 29th, 2023. 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 July 31st, 2023. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

If you have any questions regarding this contest, check out frequently asked questions here.

Mickey Fisher (Judge) - Writer/Showrunner (EXTANT, THE STRAIN),

Mickey Fisher was an unknown writer from Ironton, Ohio when his contest-winning TV script EXTANT caught the attention of Steven Spielberg and later became the science fiction series on CBS starring Halle Berry. Mickey has since firmly implanted himself in the world of science fiction television, creating the NBC series REVERIE and National Geographic’s MARS. He has also served as a consulting producer on Amazon’s JACK RYAN and a writer and co-executive producer on Guillermo Del Toro’s acclaimed FX horror series THE STRAIN.

Michael Fry (Judge) - Development Executive, A-List Production Company

Michael Fry works as a the Director of Development for an A-List production company that has produced and sold films and series to Netflix, Paramount, Disney/ABC, and other major studios.

 

Most recently, the company signed a multi-year deal with Shout! Studios to release films across theaters, digital, VOD, broadcast and home entertainment.

 

The principal of the company was previously the head of New Line Cinema and the company has produced series including THE LIBERATOR for Netflix, SHADOWHUNTERS for Disney & ABC, and features for Screen Gems and Netflix.

 

Michael previously worked in high level development positions at a number of production companies including Michael Bay's company Platinum Dunes where he contributed to A QUIET PLACE and David Leitch's company, 87 North, which produced DEADPOOL 2 and Brad Pitt's latest film BULLET TRAIN This executive also had a hand in involved with such films as BUMBLEBEE and LA LA LAND.

Sean Bartemes (Judge) - Head of Scripted TV / Producer, Unanimous Media

Sean Bartemes is a producer at Unanimous Media, the production company founded by NBA superstar Stephen Curry, where he is the head of scripted television. Sean previously worked at game1, Hutch Parker Entertainment, Lionsgate and The Gotham Group. He has worked on feature films The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, National Champions, and What To Expect When You’re Expecting along with the television series Good Times, Mr. Throwback, and The Teacher’s Pet. Sean is a native of Ohio but has lived in Los Angeles for 16 years.

Eric Hsiao (Judge) - Creative Executive, Justin Lin's Perfect Storm Entertainment

Eric Hsiao serves as Creative Executive at Justin Lin's Perfect Storm Entertainment, the development & production company behind such films and series as Fast X, F9: The Fast Saga, Star Trek Beyond, Space Jam: A New Legacy, and HBO Max’s Warrior, where he has collaborated on the development of projects set up at studios including Universal, Paramount, Sony, Netflix, and Participant.

 

Additionally, Eric oversees Perfect Storm's producing partnership with the Beijing-based film studio CMC Pictures (The Meg). Eric got his start as an agent trainee at UTA after graduating from NYU’s MBA/MFA creative producing program. A Bay Area native, Eric holds BAs in Mass Communications and Sociology from UC-Berkeley.

Agustine Calderon (Judge & Mentor) - VP of Features, Amigos Studios

Agustine Calderon is the VP of Features at Amigos Studios. Previsouly he was VP of Features at 3Pas ("Trey Pās") which has a First Look production deal with Lionsgate for features, and ABC Signature for series. Their previous 3 projects with Lionsgate have made over $250m in the Global Box Office - starting with breakout remake of the classic OVERBOARD with Anna Ferris.

Previously, Agustine identified the IP, and co-produced TETRIS starring Taron Egerton for Apple+. He also just developed CRITICAL THINKING directed by actor, John Leguizamo.

He was previously an executive at a major production company with a co-financing and production deal at Warner Bros. His production and development credits include HORRIBLE BOSSES, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN, READY PLAYER ONE, WONDER WOMAN, THE LEGO MOVIE & THE LEGO MOVIE II, THE JUNGLE BOOK.

Agustine is also currently in development on a project with producer Beau Flynn (Rampage, Requiem for a Dream, San Andreas). Agustine specializes in Drama, Horror, Comedy, Action-Comedy Features, and Television of all genres.

 

Drew Smith (Judge) - Creative Executive, Unique Features

Drew Smith is the Creative Executive at Unique Features, the feature and television production company founded by veteran producers Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. The duo have produced dozens of high profile films including THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, The A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET films, HAIRSPRAY, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, "Shadowhunters" (Freeform), THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES.

Unique features recently announced they will produced the contained, horror-thriller NIGHTLIGHT under Sony's Columbia Pictures. The original spec script was penned by Tyler MacIntyre and Chris Hill, with MacIntyre also set to direct.

At Unique, Drew is responsible for bringing in project ideas, exposing the company to new talent, and providing insight on current projects to better reach a worldwide audience. Prior to joining Unique, he was the manager of acquisitions at The Steel Company and brokered deals on behalf of some of the biggest international distributors at film markets included Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and the AFM.

Michael Peterson (Judge) - Director of Development, Phoenix Pictures

Michael runs development for Phoenix Pictures with Mike Medavoy, where he has worked on THE 33 with Antonio Banderas, THE PROMISE with Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, the Monty Python comedy ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING with Kate Beckinsale and Simon Pegg. They are in development on an NFT documentary announced on Deadline.

He has a huge summer theater release with THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER starring Corey Hawkins, based on Bram Stoker's Dracula novel. This will be in theaters in August in production partnership with Steven Spielberg's Amblin, Universal and Dreamworks and was announced in The Hollywood Reporter.

Phoenix Pictures has produced critical and commercial hit films including the Oscar-winning film BLACK SWAN, Martin Scorsese's SHUTTER ISLAND, and WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING.

Michael produced The Critics Choice-nominated series THE LONG ROAD HOME for National Geographic and the animated film OZI: VOICE OF THE FORREST with Medavoy, which premiered at the Annecy International Film Festival. Prior to working with Medavoy at Phoenix, Michael worked in independent production as a producer and production manager.

Michael is a graduate of Arizona State University's Sidney Poitier New American Film School Summa Cum Laude with a focus in film history, analysis, and cinematography.

Cindy Villarreal (Judge) - Producer, Majestic Productions

Cindy Villarreal is the founder of Majestic Productions, a Majestic Worldwide Productions brand. The brand oversees a portfolio including a production company, music publishing and licensing division, talent management, and a film/gaming studio.

 

Cindy is a versatile, network executive producer and showrunner with 30 years of entertainment experience in new media, episodic TV, and feature films overseeing projects for many broadcasting networks including the CW, Viacom, Verizon Go90, CBS, Alloy Media, NFL and Awesomeness TV among others for distribution. Villarreal is listed as one of 100 Most Influential Hispanics, by Hispanic Business Magazine and credited as one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women by Austin Business Journal. In 2019, Villarreal spearheaded diversity content within Viacom producing hit shows including My Dream Quinceañera and Taking the Stands. She is a Streaming TV pioneer in the OTT market having founded the Cheer Channel Television Network in 2009, a gamified, immersive streaming platform. She is an A-Z producer distributing original content to both major TV and new media networks. A passionate storyteller, Villarreal is a screenwriter and consults with over 100 writers for both TV and feature film.

She is also the creator and executive producer of the Teen Hit Series, Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader as well as the producer and executive producer of several scripted film productions. Among them is legendary creator Garry Marshall's very last screenplay now in development, Marriage is for the Byrds, alongside Garry's son and producing partners, Scott Marshall and Heather Hall. Villarreal is a key writer on The Seer, a faith-based film moving into production in 2023. She is also writing the English screenplay adaptation of internationally waiting film, The Lost Ship. She is the executive producer of the feature film, Wild Goose Lodge, a historical drama, which won Best Film Overall at the Cardiff International Film Festival and is the Executive Producer on numerous TV films in development.

Chris Naughton (Judge) - Creative Executive, A&E

Chris Naughton is a creative executive at A+E Studios. As a creative executive, Chris has been involved in the development and shepherding of a large slate of projects including Netflix’s The Liberator and ABC’s National Parks Pilot which was produced by Kevin Costner.Chris received his BA in Political Science from UCLA in 2009 before attending law school at the University of La Verne where he obtained a Juris Doctorate degree in 2013. He subsequently earned an MFA in film and television producing from Dodge Film School at Chapman University, winning two Student Emmy Awards for his thesis film Straw Dolls, based on the Armenian Genocide. While still a licensed attorney, Chris shifted his focus to the creative side of entertainment and began his career as a reader at Creative Artists Agency before becoming an assistant to the head of the CAA Story Department. After nearly 3 years at CAA, Chris moved to A+E Studios in 2017 as a coordinator in the creative affairs department and was soon promoted to Manager.