10th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest

The most prestigious short film competition on the planet is back!

Grand Prize Winner Flown Out to LA for Oscar-qualifying Film Festival 

All Finalists Screen at Hollyshorts 2025!

Our 8th Annual winner Lisa Cole was short listed for an Oscar for her film BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES! PLUS she signed with the Oscar-winning sales company Ouat Media!

You've made a short film. You've put in your time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and perhaps even some serious money into your project. Your goal isn't only to get your film seen, but to get it seen around the world and by people who can make a difference in your career. Would being screened by an Oscar qualifying film festival matter? How about having it screened for over 1,000 executives including managers, agents, producers, film financiers and more? Look no further.

The most prestigious short film competition on the planet is back. For the 10th straight year, Stage 32 is looking for the best short films for our 10th Annual Short Film Program. For the last decade, we've screened our winning filmmaker's films at the most prestigious festivals around the world, and for our stable of 1,000+ Stage 32 executives. This year will be no different!

In this DIY, control your own material world, legions of filmmakers are turning to short films to have their voices heard. Further, with more and more film festivals adding short programs into their lineups and with so many filmmakers shooting short films as proof of concept to showcase their talents, short films are finally getting the attention they deserve.

See for yourself what Stage 32 can do for you!

Our top 5-10 winning filmmakers receive:

• Inclusion in our 10th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Program - The most anticipated short film program in the business.
• Films screened theatrically at the 2025 Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles
• Participate in a Filmmakers Q&A Panel hosted by Stage 32
• Films screened online to a worldwide audience on Stage 32 - This global screening will be available to all of our 1,000,000+ members on the platform
• Films showcased to over 1,000 executives who work with Stage 32 - All of our executives will be able to view an online screening of the program. If a meeting is requested between the executive and the filmmaker, we will facilitate.
• Our Grand prize winning director will be flown to Los Angeles (travel permitting)- Walk the red carpet at Hollyshorts!

We welcome entries from filmmakers all over the world. Last year's contest produced entries from Stage 32 members in 40 countries and resulted in a curated program of 7 incredible and well received short films made by filmmakers from 3 countries.

Over the last 10 years, our winning filmmakers have gone on to be signed (UTA, Echo Lake, Verve, and more), financed, and produced. One of our winning screenwriter/directors even went on to have one of the biggest spec sales in recent years, with Warner Brothers winning a bidding war which was based off a short film!

The Stage 32 Short Film Contest gives you the opportunity to show your chops and shine by providing access to some of the top executives in the business and exposure to film festival and worldwide online crowds. This is access, opportunity, and exposure you won't find anywhere else!

The Stage 32 Short Film Program has been featured to critical acclaim in Variety and Indiewire.

Screening in Special Stage 32 Short Film Program at the 2025 Hollyshorts Film Festival

The top 5-10 films will be screened in a special Stage 32 Shorts Program Showcase at the Oscar-qualifying 2025 Hollyshorts Film Festival!

Special Worldwide Online Screening

The top 5-10 Short Films will be screened online to a worldwide audience on Stage 32 in a special global event!

Exposure to over 1,000 Stage 32 Executives

The top 5-10 Short Films will be placed in a special private section on Stage 32 and sent to over 2,000 Stage 32 executives who will be able to view the films. If there is interest we will facilitate the meetings between interested parties and the filmmakers.

Grand Prize Winning Director Will Be Flown to LA for Hollyshorts!

The grand prize winning Director will be flown to Los Angeles, CA for the Hollyshorts Film Festival (travel permitting) to walk the red carpet!

This contest gets results. 

Many of our previous winners and finalists have gone on to get repped, make feature films, direct television shows, and produce or work on major studio films!

Update on our Winner Kirsten Hoang (Legally Brown: The Musical The Short)

Kirsten's film Legally Brown: The Musical The Short won the Grand Prize and went on to play at Dances with Films, Catalina Film Festival, and was an official selection for Austin Film Festival! 

The star and writer of the film Maya Vyas is actively working on developing the short into a feature film project!

Update on our Winner Matt Steinauer (The Gumshoe Files)

Director Matt, his cast, and crew are currently enjoying an exciting festival run with their film!

Update on our Winner, Jeff Collins (Safe Space)

Producer Jeff Collins and Director Matt Pitroff are currently in the midst of enjoying their festival run with the film!

Update on our Winner, Lisa Cole (Bienvenidos a Los Angeles)

Lisa Cole's film Bienvenidos a Los Angeles was short listed for an 2024 Oscar in the Live Action Short Film category!

Update on our Finalist Amy Elizabeth Geist (Dysmorphia)

Amy went on to sign with Tracey Eggers Management and Sovereign Talent Group!

Update on our Winner, Gwenn Joyaux (Tomorrow Island)

Gwenn Joyaux (French born director based in Argentina) is now represented by Le'Ander Nicholson from Believeland Management!

Update on our Winner, Kent Donguines (Paco)

Kent went on to direct the 2024 documentary CANADIAN ADOBO. He also served as a consultant on the 2022 film EASTER SUNDAY starring Jo Koy!

Update on our Finalist Stephanie Izsak (Consumer)

Stephanie got repped by Integral Artists and Kirk Talent Agencies. She has since directed an episode of BLOODY BITES for Bloody Disgusting TV, and she has acted in projects for Netflix and ReelOne Entertainment!

Update on our Finalist Jessica Redish (Exit, Pursued by a Bear)

Jessica went on to get repped by Movement Talent Agency!

Update on our Winner, Julia Bruns (Ada)

Julia went on to get repped by Webster Talent Management.

Julia and her directing partner Steve Kammerer directed the 2023 Canadian web series THE EVICTION together!

Update on our Finalist Brianne Berkson (Baby's Phoney Friend)

Brianne went on to get repped with The Luedtke Agency in New York!

Update on our Finalist Sophie Haikali (Invisibles)

Sophie's gone on to produce two international feature drama films -- PEPE (2024), directed by Nelson Carlo de Los Santos Arias and distributed by Shellac Distribution; and MEASURES OF MEN (2023), directed by Lars Kraume and distributed by Picture Tree International and StudioCanal Germany.

Update on our Finalist Jim St. Germain (Father's Day a.k.a. Father)

Jim's film, which starred the late Michael Kenneth Williams (THE WIRE) and Jerod Haynes (NATIVE SON), was a festival darling. Jim is now repped by William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment and Writer's House Literary. 

Update on our Finalist Micah Coate (Shiri)

Micah is now represented by MJB Talent Agency and GAT Management. She recently co-directed the 2024 horror/thriller film GUYS AT PARTIES LIKE IT, distributed by Mattioli Productions. 

Update on our Finalist Cate Carson (The Plumber)

Cate went on to get repped by Heroes and Villains Entertainment!

Update on our Finalist Leo McGuigan (The Invention)

Leo has gone on to write three direct-to-streaming feature films: KILLING FOR EXTRA CREDIT (2024), DADDY'S DEADLY SECRET (2024), and the upcoming KILLER COLLEGE SCANDAL, all for the Lifetime Movie Network.

Update on our Finalist Will Niava (Zoo)

Will signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment and Mad Delusion. Will went on to direct 8 episodes of the MTV/Viacom series SHUGA, and he also edited a music video for Joey Bada$$!

Update on our Finalist Jeff Perreca (Talentless)

Jeff was selected as a Directing Fellow in the 2021 BlackMagic First Frame Initiative and he participated in the BlackMagic Collective's Directing Actors Lab. Jeff went on to develop a YA-Genre TV show with J-Lo and Blumhouse!

Update on our Winner, Virginia Bach (Tell Him)

Virginia is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!

Update on our Finalist Dicky Chalmers (Angel)

Dicky Chalmers is now in talks with Art/Work Entertainment for representation!

Update on our Finalist Sy Huq (Things That Fall)

Sy went on to get repped by Range Media Partners after placing in the contest!

Update on our Winner Olivier Hero Dressen (The Black Box)

Olivier Dressen went on to get repped by Richard Schwartz Management after placing in the 2017 contest with his film THE PASSPORT! He later returned with his 2023 film THE BLACK BOX to win the Grand Prize!

Update on our Finalist Steve Desmond (Monsters)

We screened Steve Desmond's film Monsters in front of executives from WME, Whitewater, Lionsgate and more and he went on to have a massive bidding war for his spec Harry's All Night Hamburgers, which was picked up by Warner Bros. and now has Ted Melfi attached to direct!

Update on our Finalist Aaron Bierman (Burning Bright)

Aaron Bierman's film was screened at the Hollyshorts Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival and Aaron went on to be represented by legendary agent David Boxerbaum, partner at Verve Literary and Talent Agency after Verve watched his online screening on Stage 32.

Update on our Finalist Zara Burdett (Maneater)

Zara's film, Maneater was screened at the Hollyshorts Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival. After we set Zara up on meetings around town she has signed with UTA and Echo Lake Entertainment!

Update on our Finalist Dinh Thai (Monday)

Dinh's film Monday earned rave reviews and we sent him on meetings around town based on his unique style as a filmmaker. He signed with Paradigm Agency and Kaplan / Perrone Management and won NBCU's Next Generation Filmmaker and Outstanding Director Awards. Now a working TV director, Dinh directed 2 episodes of WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA (Hulu), 2 episodes of NEW AMSTERDAM (NBC), 3 episodes of IN THE DARK (CW), 1 episode of AMERICAN BORN CHINES (Disney+), 2 episodes of WARRIOR (Cinemax), 2 episodes of DEATH & OTHER DETAILS (Hulu), 2 episodes of THE GOOD DOCTOR (ABC), and an episode of UNDER THE BRIDGE (Hulu). 

Update on our Winner, Terez Koncz (The Letters)

Terez went out on meetings internationally - with an award-winning producer in the United States, as well as with a veteran executive who is based in Budapest, Hungary. She met with reps Good Fear Film + Management. In 2023, Terez produced 26 episodes of the British children's animated TV series READY EDDIE GO! for Sky Kids.

Update on our Finalist Avery Robinson Rouda (Dreamcatcher)

Avery signed with manager Siobhan Murphy of The Gotham Group, who saw her film via Stage 32!

Update on our Finalist Thiago Dadalt (Duke)

Thiago has since directed two documentary films - WHERE IS NANCY? (2020) and BEYOND (2023), both produced and distributed by D. Ellen Miller Productions.

Update on our Winner, Lisanne Sartor (Six Letter Word)

Lisanne Sartor, writer & director of Six Letter Word, has taken her short as a proof of concept and finished her feature script. Through Stage 32, her film, Six Letter Word, screened at the Richmond Film Festival and the Hollyshorts Film Festival and in front of Lionsgate, Samaco Films, Whitewater Films, Kodak, Legion M and CAA. She is now directing the feature version of this film and is out to actresses to package the project!

Update on our Finalist Mikko Löppönen (Eliza)

Mikko's gone on to work professionally on a number of films across Europe as a VFX Artist, Editor, and Fight/Stunt Choreographer. He recently did VFX on the 2024 film THE SWEDISH TORPEDO, directed by Frida Kempff, which debuted at TIFF and is being distributed by TriArt Films. 

Update on our Finalist David Steiner (The Light in the Afternoon)

David produced the powerful drama film JAMES WHITE, starring Christopher Abbott and Kid Cudi. David later produced the 2016 drama film KATIE SAYS GOODBYE, starring Olivia Cooke, Mary Steenburgen, and Jim Belushi, distributed by Vertical Entertainment. He also produced the 2021 musical documentary Le divorce de mes marrants, distributed by Les Mutins de Pangée in France. 

Update on Our Winner, Director Matt Kazman (Killer)

Stage 32 member Matt Kazman's film, KILLER, premiered worldwide in the Stage 32 Short Film Program at the Raindance Film Festival where Matt was featured in Variety. Through Stage 32 Matt went on to meet with many executives and has since signed with UTA and Rise Management. Matt's film KILLER went on to screen as an official selection at Sundance Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, IFFBoston, Florida Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival. Matt has gone on to produce 9 episodes of the Middle of The Night Show for MTV, and he directed 10 episodes of DENTON'S DEATH DATE for Snap Originals. 

Update on our Finalist Grzegorz Jonkajtys (Ark)

Greg went on to get repped by Courageous Artists. Greg recently directed 4 episodes of the Netflix original TV show THE LIBERATOR (2020). A prolific working VFX Artist (as showcased in Ark), Greg's worked on massive blockbuster films in the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, in addition to many of the biggest studio releases of the last decade. He remains one of the most sought after creative VFX artists in the business.

Update on our Finalist Alejandro Montoya Marín (Low Fi)

Alejandro went on to write and direct the 2020 feature comedy film MILLENNIUM BUGS, distributed by First Focus Independent and Indican Pictures.

Update on our Finalist Cyrus Trafford (The Voice in the Head)

Cyrus went on to sign with MacFarlane Chard Associates in the UK. He's since produced two feature films: WILD OATS, starring Jessica Lange, Demi Moore and Shirley McLaine; and the Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini directed film TEN THOUSAND SAINTS, starring Ethan Hawke, Asa Butterfield, Emily Mortimer, Julianne Nicholson, and Hailee Steinfeld.

Update on our Finalist Marshall Axani (Anxious Oswald Greene)

Marshall went on to write and direct the 2017 feature film THE CANNON, starring Megan Charpentier (IT), which was distributed by Parallel Universe Pictures. 

Q&A with the filmmakers at the Hollyshorts Film Festival

Check out the Hollyshorts x Stage 32 experience for yourself!

This contest not only offers the chance to have your work exposed to industry executives, but to have your film as part of a program at two film festivals! All short films in all genres are welcome. All films must be a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 23 minutes to qualify for entry.

Entrant Rules

Void where prohibited by law.

Adults only can enter.

Entrant agrees to Stage32.com terms and conditions.

Stage 32 Short Film Contest is not a game of chance. All material is watched and reviewed by industry professionals.

All finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges.

Entrant's short film must not have received compensation totaling over $25,000 USD for options, television, motion picture or digital streaming.

There is no limit to the number of short films an Entrant can enter. The same short film 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.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

There are not discounts or waivers available.

Short Film Rules

Short film total running time must be a minimum of 3 minutes and no longer than 23 minutes. Any submissions shorter or longer than the minimum or maximum length will be disqualified.

The short film must be made within the last 3 calendar years.

All short films must be in digital format. No DVDs, VHS tapes or any physical format will be accepted.

Short films can be in any language, but if not in English, they must contain English subtitles.

All genres are welcome to enter.

Short film 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.

The rights to the Entrant’s short film should not have been previously optioned or sold.

After a short film is entered, no new submissions or corrected videos can be made by the Entrant. No exceptions.

Selected films for the Stage 32 Film Program Contest will be eligible to screen out-of-competition at Raindance Film Festival in London, provided the films are available to preview before the London festivals programming deadline.

How Do I Submit My Short Film?

1. Make sure your short film digital file is ready before you check out.

2. Click on the "Register Now" area on the Contest page and follow the checkout process for the contest.

3. AFTER you complete the payment you will be prompted to upload your short film directly to the contest by the green button

4. Submit the digital file of your film by either pasting a link (red button) or uploading your file (black button)

• Put the TITLE of your film in the comment section.
• If your film is password protected, put the password in the comments section.
• Your film upload is in a secure location not accessible to the public.

How Do I Know if I Submitted My Short Film Correctly?

You will receive an order confirmation on the submission page that says "Your film has been successfully submitted!"