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:
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 |
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!
Lisa Cole's film Bienvenidos a Los Angeles was short listed for an Oscar!
Gwenn Joyaux (French born director based in Argentina) is now represented by Le'Ander Nicholson from Believeland Management
Virginia is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!
Sy is now in talks with Zero Gravity for representation!
Dicky Chalmers is now in talks with David Chien from Art/Work Entertainment for representation!
Olivier Dressen is now in talks with Brooklyn Weaver from Energy Entertainment for representation!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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