9th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest

Contest Info

THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW THE WINNERS!

This contest gets results.


Last year's 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 9th straight year, Stage 32 is looking for the best short films for our 9th Annual Short Film Program. For the last 7 years, we've screened our winning filmmaker's films at some of the most prestigious festivals around the world, and for our stable of 1,000+ Stage 32 executives, and 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.

 

Our top 5-10 winning filmmakers receive:

  • Inclusion in our 9th Stage 32 Short Film Program - The most anticipated short film program in the business.
  • Their film screened theatrically at the 2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles
  • Participate in a Filmmakers Q&A Panel hosted by Stage 32
  • Their film 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
  • Their film 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 8 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.

 


Congratulations to the Winners!

FILM FILMMAKER
LEGALLY BROWN: THE MUSICAL THE SHORT (Grand Prize Winner)   KIRSTEN HOANG
LESBOPHILIA MICHELLE WEST
SAFE SPACE MATT PITTROFF
THE GUMSHOE FILES MATT STEINAUER
WAVING ROLFIN NYHUS

 

Congratulations to the Finalists

FILM FILMMAKER
A REASONABLE MAN ZACH JANSEN
BLINK JULIE BRUNS
BOUNCIN' BACK SEAN JONES
CHRISTMAS1944 KEVIN J. MCCORRY
CONSTRUCT 42 NIKOLA ANGELKOSKI
DEFENSE CONTRACT ADAM LEBOW
DEMOLITION MEGAN RANEY AARONS
ELLIE VINNY OBRIEN
FANDEMONIUM BEN SUCHMAN
GUILT ALEX MERIDY
HIDING BODIES BEAR KOSIK
LA AUDICIÓN / CASTING CALL CLAUDIO MARCIO ROJAS
LECHE Y MIEL ALEJANDRO SALINAS
LEGALLY BROWN: THE MUSICAL THE SHORT  KIRSTEN HOANG
LESBOPHILIA MICHELLE WEST
MEET JOHN DOE SIMBA DIBINGA
QUEERWEB KENNETH GILDIN
RELISH MAN EDWARD DORSEY
SAFE SPACE MATT PITTROFF
SPOONFUL OF SUGAR TIVOLI SILAS
THE GUMSHOE FILES MATT STEINAUER
THE HIDDEN LAYERS MATTHEW C. WILSON
THE LAST GARDEN MATTHEW CAMFIELD
THE LAST TAKE BRIAN FOYSTER
THE MOURNING OF MERCED ELIZONDO
TWO BREATHS KATERYNA KURGANSKA
WAVING ROLFIN NYHUS
WHISKEY MOUNTAIN DAYS BILL WALKER
WHITEWASH JERRY HSU
WON'T BE LONG NOW WILLIAM NAWROCKI

 

 

Congratulations to the Semifinalists

FILM TITLE FILMMAKER
A REASONABLE MAN ZACH JANSEN
BLINK JULIE BRUNS
BOUNCIN' BACK SEAN JONES
CHRISTMAS 1944 KEVIN J. MCCORRY
CONSTRUCT 42 NIKOLA ANGELKOSKI
DEADHEAD VIRGINIA POWERS HENDRY
DEFENSE CONTRACT ADAM LEBOW
DEFENSE DE PASSER (NO TRESPASSING) ALEC FRANCO
DEMOLITION MEGAN RANEY AARONS
ELLIE VINNY OBRIEN
FANDEMONIUM BEN SUCHMAN
GUILT ALEX MERIDY
HELL WEEK MIREJAH CRUZ
HIDING BODIES BEAR KOSIK
JESSE JAMES GANG RIDES AGAIN DEBRA KURTZ
KEPLER 62 EXPERIMENT MICHAEL ROSS CATANIA
LA AUDICIÓN / CASTING CALL CLAUDIO MARCIO ROJAS
LECHE Y MIEL ALEJANDRO SALINAS
LEGALLY BROWN: THE MUSICAL THE SHORT  KIRSTEN HOANG
LESBOPHILIA MICHELLE WEST
LIABILITY TRAVIS AIKEN
LOOSE CHANGE DAN A EDWARDS
LUCILLE CANDACE GREEN BLUST
MEET JOHN DOE SIMBA DIBINGA
MISCELLANEOUS THOM KALEB RIMER
MORE MORE MORE BRAD BANACKA
QUEERWEB KENNETH GILDEN
RELISH MAN EDWARD DORSEY
REMEMBER ITS CHRISTMAS SAM KITE
SAFE SPACE MATT PITTROFF
SCHOOL NIGHTS JOHN KILLORAN
SPOONFUL OF SUGAR TIVOLI SILAS
STANDING ON THE EDGE GARRETT BRENNEMAN
THE BLACK PEBBLE CHRIS ZARB
THE FEELING PART RORY NORDLINGER
THE GUMSHOE FILES MATT STEINAUER
THE HIDDEN LAYERS MATTHEW C. WILSON
THE LAST GARDEN MATTHEW CAMFIELD
THE LAST TAKE BRIAN FOYSTER
THE MOURNING OF MERCED ELIZONDO
THE WORLD SERIES OF BOCCE: A CELEBRATION OF SPORT, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY  FRANCIS DICLEMENTE
TWO BREATHS KATERYNA KURGANSKA
WAVING ROLFIN NYHUS
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JONNY FAITH BENJAMIN POLLACK
WHEN CROWS FLY DEBRA KURTZ
WHISKEY MOUNTAIN DAYS BILL WALKER
WHITEWASH JERRY HSU
WONT BE LONG NOW WILLIAM NAWROCKI
YELLOW DAISY BUTTERFLY BIANCA O'NEIL
YOKAI KIT MODICA

 

 

Congratulations to the Quarterfinalists

FILM TITLE FILMMAKER
A GOOD DAY WILL COME AMIR ZARGARA
A LIFE WELL LIVED REBECCA GLAZER
A REASONABLE MAN ZACH JANSEN
AT THE WATER'S EDGE VIVIAN IP
BLINK JULIE BRUNS
BOUNCIN' BACK SEAN JONES
CALL THEM ATHLETES TORIN IVES
CHRISTMAS 1944 KEVIN J. MCCORRY
CONSTRUCT 42 NIKOLA ANGELKOSKI
DEADHEAD VIRGINIA POWERS HENDRY
DEFENSE CONTRACT ADAM LEBOW
DÉFENSE DE PASSER (NO TRESPASSING) ALEC FRANCO
DEMOLITION MEGAN RANEY AARONS
ELLIE VINNY OBRIEN
FANDEMONIUM BEN SUCHMAN
FINGERPAINT STEFON L.C.
GHOST IN THE SHED TANE URIBARREN
GUILT ALEX MERIDY
HELL WEEK MIREJAH CRUZ
HEMINGWAY ECHO NGUYEN
HIDING BODIES BEAR KOSIK
I WENT OUT WALKING SYLVIA BOFILL
IN-CLOSURE LAWRENCE WHITENER
JESSE JAMES GANG RIDES AGAIN DEBRA KURTZ
KEPLER 62 EXPERIMENT - THE MIRROR MICHAEL ROSS CATANIA
LA AUDICIÓN (CASTING CALL) CLAUDIO MARCIO ROJAS
LAST IMPRESSIONS ALESSANDRO GIROLAMI
LECHE Y MIEL ALEJANDRO SALINAS
LEGALLY BROWN: THE MUSICAL THE SHORT  KIRSTEN HOANG
LESBOPHILIA MICHELLE WEST
LIABILITY TRAVIS AITKEN
LIVING IN FEAR KAYVON DERAK SHANIAN
LOOSE CHANGE DAN A EDWARDS
LUCILLE CANDACE GREEN BLUST
MAKING UP RYAN PAIGE
MARS HILL BAIT AND AMMO ALFRED THOMAS CATALFO
MEET JOHN DOE SIMBA DIBINGA
MÍRAME JOEY JOHNSEN
MIRTHLESS TINA KARDAN
MISCELLANEOUS THOM KALEB RIMER
MIST AND BLOOD ROLAND COLLIN
MORE MORE MORE BRAD BANACKA
MY LITTLE BOY WONDER PATRICK LEE
PIE HUGO ACEVEDO
POUND FOR POUND RACHEL MOODY
QUEERWEB KENNETH GILDIN
RELISH MAN EDWARD DORSEY
REMEMBER IT'S CHRISTMAS SAM KITE
SAFE SPACE MATT PITTROFF
SCHOOL NIGHTS JOHN KILLORAN
SECOND HAND ROSE ALEX BOWLING
SPOONFUL OF SUGAR TIVOLI SILAS
STALKING THE BOGEYMAN FREDERIK EHRHARDT
STANDING ON THE EDGE GARRETT BRENNEMAN
THE BARGAIN ALEC PATCHIN
THE BLACK PEBBLE CHRIS ZARB
THE DINER CLAIRE LANGTON
THE FEELING PART ROMY NORDLINGER
THE FOURTH JOHNNY KIRK
THE GUMSHOE FILES MATT STEINAUER
THE HIDDEN LAYERS MATTHEW C. WILSON
THE LAST GARDEN MATTHEW CAMFIELD
THE LAST TAKE BRIAN FOYSTER
THE MOURNING OF MERCED ELIZONDO
THE WORLD SERIES OF BOCCE: A CELEBRATION OF SPORT, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY FRANCIS DICLEMENTE
TRAFFICK IN THE CITY FRANTZY MOREAU
TWO BREATHS KATERYNA KURGANSKA
UP, UP AND AWAY KY TAM
WAVING ROLFIN NYHUS
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JONNY FAITH BENJAMIN POLLACK
WHEN CROWS FLY DEBRA KURTZ
WHISKEY MOUNTAIN DAYS BILL WALKER
WHITEWASH JERRY HSU
WHITEY ON THE RUN DONALD WATSON
WON'T BE LONG NOW WILLIAM NAWROCKI
YE OLE GLORYA JEFF KAZANJIAN
YELLOW DAISY BUTTERFLY BIANCA O'NEILL
YOKAI KIT MODICA

 

 

Contest Prizes

Screening in Special Stage 32 Short Film Program at the 2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival

The top 5-10 films will be screened in a special Stage 32 Shorts Program Showcase at the Oscar-qualifying 2024 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!

Our Track Record

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

Lisa Cole's film Bienvenidos a Los Angeles was short listed for an Oscar!

 

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, Virginia Bach (Tell Him)

Virginia is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!

 

Update on our Finalist Sy Huq (Things That Fall)

Sy is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!

 

Update on our finalist Dicky Chalmers (Angel)

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

 

Update on our finalist Olivier Dressen (Passport)

Olivier Dressen is now in talks with Brooklyn Weaver from Energy Entertainment for representation!

 

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 has signed with Paradigm Agency and Kaplan / Perrone Management and won NBCU's Next Generation Filmmaker and Outstanding Director Awards.

 

Update on our Winner, Terez Koncz (The Letters)

Terez has been set up 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 is now meeting with Good Fear Film + Management to discuss representation in the US!

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 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 work on Middle of The Night Show for MTV.

 

Q&A with the filmmakers at the Hollyshorts Film Festival

Contest Judges

Winner Announcements

Jun 14
Quarter-Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jun 21
Semi-Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jun 28
Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jul 13
Contest Winners Announced
on Stage 32
* Announcement dates subject to change.
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