11th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: August 15th, 2024

Early Bird Deadline: September 4th, 2024

Regular Deadline: September 25th, 2024

Final Deadline: October 16th, 2024

Quarterfinalist Announcement: December 13th, 2024

Semifinalist Announcement: December 27th, 2024

Finalist Announcement: January 10th, 2025

Winner Announcement: January 24th, 2025

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

Our Horror 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 winners, Tanya Klein & Jim Cirile gained massive traction on their winning script PSYCHOPATHY, which found itself setup for production with Lucas Heyne (MOPE) directing and Kelly Hayes (OLD DOGS, SITE) producing on currently a $1.5 million budget! All this after Tanya & Jim took a full slate of meetings with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Verve, Independent Artists Group, Wonderstreet, Toluca Pictures, and more! 

Previous winner, Christina Pamies, was signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager, Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the recently released film BAGHEAD, which was co-produced by The Picture Company and released via AMC+ Networks!  

VIEW THE BAGHEAD (2024) TRAILER HERE! AVAILABLE NOW ON SHUDDER!

Previous Winner, Kevin Bachar, had his winning script BLOOD RELATIVE produced and released as THE INHABITANT (2022) by Lionsgate through Gravitas Ventures and Highland Films. 

VIEW THE INHABITANT (2022) TRAILER HERE! AVAILABLE NOW ON HULU!

"I have nothing but high praise for the folks at Stage 32. Because of meetings they set me up on I am now working with Mike DeTrana from Anvil Entertainment, have director John Poloquin from Grave Encounters 2 attached to my script, and an option for financing from Three Point Capital. One of the meetings was with Daniel Bekerman, the producer of The Witch. I wrote a horror screenplay and I got to talk with the producer of one of the greatest horror films the last decade. That's got to be viewed as something good. He didn't agree to produce the film, but he did offer his company to assist us with securing grants and tax incentives if we shot up in Canada. Again, that's a pretty damn good measure of success for a contest." -- Kevin Bachar

9th Annual Winner, Richard Doyle, who is based in Australia, met with almost a dozen industry pros and signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield through Stage 32!

"The best part about it was honestly Stage 32's support. They introduced me to a bunch of people. I was also flown out to LA. While I was over there, I got to meet with personal heroes of mine and I managed to snag a manager, who I've been working with since then to get some stuff made. Especially for an international screenwriter like myself, sometimes it feels like LA is a long way away, but Stage 32 supported me and gave me opportunities it would've taken me years of pounding pavement to get." -- Richard Doyle

Glenn Forbes, Grand Prize Winner, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Contest in 2014 -- Signed with Infinity Management International!

"I have signed with a management company in LA, Infinity Management International. I met them when Stage 32 flew me down to LA, and now the deal is done. I'm so thrilled to have Stage 32 Happy Writers in my corner for this ride. I've been plugging away for more than 10 years to secure representation. My message is never give up on your dream, and surround yourself with people who can help you get there. For that, Stage 32 has become my lynchpin." -- Glenn Forbes

Hear what other New Blood winners have to say:

"I've entered so many contests over the years and none of them have offered the same amount of support that Stage 32 has." -- Kim Britt

“It’s surreal. It’s changed our work life and we’re working in a professional realm that we’ve never worked in before. We’ve been struggling writers for a long time and when we found out we won, we were super stoked. Stage 32 put us out there on a bunch of meetings with production companies, managers and agents. We signed with HG5 Entertainment and are writing 2 scripts, which 1 is going into production this year. It’s changed our life.”

- Alyssa & Griffin Devine, Grand Prize Winner Stage 32 Search For New Blood Winners in 2016, whoSIGNED with HG5 Entertainment.

"Speaking as a screenwriter to all my fellow writers, I highly recommend submitting to any and all Stage 32 Writing Competitions. I came in 2nd in the Search for New Blood Horror competition and it at very least exposes you and your work to industry professionals. To get that kind of eyes on something you've written, whether you end up selling your screenplay or not, is a great experience. All my best to all!"

- William Jeffrey, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Contest Runner up in 2015

"My only wish was to find this site sooner for the sake of saving time, discovering in-depth educational value, and making legitimate connections. I have to tip my hat at RB and the gang for changing the game and helping shape my future in filmmaking. I’m honored to be swimming in a community of like-minded individuals. I’m proud to be Stage 32’s HAPPIEST WRITER right now!"

- Frank Ponce, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Contest Runner up in 2014, who SIGNED with 3 Arts Entertainment and had his script picked up for development by Atlas Entertainment (The Dark Knight, American Hustle).

Frank went on to sell an Evel Knievel limited series to USA Network with Atlas Entertainment, Wonderland Sound & Vision, and Universal co-producing. He also got his own producing career off the ground with 4 films in the last few years: THE LINE (2023), JAMOJAYA (2023), PRIVATE PROPERTY (2022), and AS THEY MADE US (2022), all thanks to Stage 32 helping his career lift-off!

Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:

More Contest Winners Jonathan Jordan and Greg Mania would love to tell you why you should enter!

Winner Jonathan Jordan was signed by major literary agency Verve, and worked on a script currently in production through them. He has also signed with a manager and is currently working on a new film.

Winner Greg Mania was signed by Cohn/Torgan Management, and has since published a memoir called Born To Be Public, which was named NPR’s Best Book of 2020.

Previous Contest Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!

She shares her advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"

Click the "Success Stories" link here for even more testimonials from our past winners!

Jake Wagner (Judge) - Manager/Producer, Alibi Management

Jake Wagner is one of the most respected Literary Managers and Producers working in the business today, he served as the Executive Producer on the hit Netflix comedy SENIOR YEAR starring Rebel Wilson, the action-comedy STUBER starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani, and the horror feature BAGHEAD starring Freya Allan (KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, THE WITCHER, and HBO's THE THIRD DAY).

Jake signed Stage 32 writer Christina Pamies who wrote the hit film BAGHEAD for Studio Canal which was featured in the Hollywood Reporter.

Jake has also been one of the top-selling spec script managers of the last decade. Jake was responsible for the largest spec sale of the last 10 years (and one of the biggest in history), with SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN which sold to Universal Pictures. After an illustrious and celebrated career at Benderspink and Good Fear and Film + Management, Jake owns and founded Alibi Management. Jake’s clients have made some of the most popular recent horror films including POLAROID, CRAWL, and CHILD'S PLAY.

Jake has a long history of finding material for development and loves working with Stage 32 writers.

John Dunne (Judge) - Manager/Producer, Independent Artists Media

John Dunne is a Literary Manager & Producer based in LA. After starting his career at APA (now IAG), John eventually settled as a Manager with Dave Rath’s group at Imagine Artists Management. Now known as Independent Artists Media, John leads the feature film division and, alongside Rath, produced the SXSW Grand Jury & Audience award-winning film I LOVE MY DAD starring IAM client Patton Oswalt. In addition to packaging and development, John represents a list of edgy, up & coming writers, filmmakers and comedians with projects set-up at Imagine Entertainment, CAA Media Finance, XYZ Films, Spyglass Media & Bazelevs. Prior to joining Independent Artists Media, John worked at Aperture Entertainment, whose films include MY FRIEND DAHMER, EXTRACTION, and THE LAST WITCH HUNTER.

 

Laurie Cook (Judge) - Producer & Head of Development, Newscope Films

Laurie Cook is a feature film producer and Head of Development for Jason Newmark's Newscope Films who has worked on almost two dozen feature films with recent films including William Brent Bell’s LORD OF MISRULE, starring Tuppence Middleton and Ralph Ineson, Chris Smith’s CONSECRATION, starring Jena Malone and Danny Huston and THE HAUNTING OF THE QUEEN MARY, starring Alice Eve & Joel Fry. Laurie is producing William Brent Bell’s exorcist film THE ASCENT, and ski heist thriller THE FALL LINE, with Balthazar Kormakur.

Laurie develops and produces commercially positioned, high concept, elevated genre films with international sales appeal. Previous titles Laurie has worked on include underwater survival thriller PRESSURE, starring Danny Huston and Matthew Goode, teen horror DON’T HANG UP, Neil Biswas’ debut DARKNESS VISIBLE, Charles Dorfman’s debut BARBARIANS for Media Finance Capital, and Chris Smith’s THE BANISHING for WestEnd Films.

Nikki Bohm (Judge) - Producer, Crystal Pantera Productions

Nikki Bohm is a multi-faceted Producer who has worked on over 2 dozen film and television shows, in addition to being the founder of genre-oriented independent film production company, Crystal Pantera Productions. She produced Patrick Kennelly’s award-winning thriller HAMMURABI and was on the producing team of the award-nominated drama THE TSAREVICH.

Formerly, she was an Associate Literary Agent and Talent Manager at The Robb Company, in addition to her work as a Casting Director where she secured celebrity talent such as Hassan Johnson (THE WIRE) for the award-nominated short film BUG and Dean Winters (LAW & ORDER: SVU) for the thriller MEMOIRE.

She has programmed and is regularly invited to juries and panels at prominent International Film Festivals and Markets. Furthermore, Nikki has written, directed, and produced a number of experimental drama, action/thriller, and avant-garde horror feature films.

Nikki is always looking for bold & original scripts to develop, produce and/or recommend to her Co-production partners.

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

Michael runs Development for Phoenix Pictures with Mike Medavoy, where he worked on THE 33 with Antonio Banderas, THE PROMISE with Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, and the Monty Python comedy ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING with Kate Beckinsale and Simon Pegg. They are in development on an NFT documentary. Michael was also involved in the development of THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER starring Corey Hawkins, based on Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, and in production partnership with Steven Spielberg's Amblin, Universal, and Dreamworks.

Phoenix Pictures, known for producing 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 FOREST with Medavoy, which premiered at the Annecy International Film Festival. Prior to joining Medavoy at Phoenix, Michael worked in independent production as a producer and production manager.

Michael has great experience in development and is always looking for more projects to develop and grow writers' talents.

Rudy Scalese (Judge) - Producer, Works with A24, Netflix, Crypt TV, Gary Sánchez Productions, NALA Films

Rudy Scalese is a producer who has worked on over two dozen film and television productions, including Sofia Coppola’s THE BLING RING starring Emma Watson for A24 and CASA DE MI PADRE starring Will Ferrell, Diego Luna, and Gael Garcia Bernal for Netflix and Gary Sánchez Productions. He’s also worked with Oscar winners Julianne Moore, Brendan Fraser, and Paul Haggis.

Scalese specializes in horror having worked with horror legend Wes Craven on NEW NIGHTMARE and GREENLIGHT with the Horror Collective. He has also produced a number of projects for Crypt TV, ran by top producer Eli Roth (KNOCK KNOCK and DEATH WISH), and spoken at the Television Critics Press Tour for Starz.

Prior to producing an upcoming slate of Horror films in development, Scalese recently served as Vice President of Production and Development for NALA Films where he oversaw the development, production and distribution of the company’s slate, including Sofia Coppola’s THE BLING RING and Warner Independent Pictures' IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH directed by Academy Award winner Paul Haggis. Scalese also served as producer on Casa De Mi Padre, Ceremony starring Uma Thurman, Michael Angarano & Lee Pace, IM Global's 6 Souls starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and THE AIR I BREATHE starring Kevin Bacon and Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser.

Scalese also produced the critically acclaimed documentary “Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film” for Starz/Encore based upon the book of the same title by author Adam Rockoff. Prior to producing the documentary, Scalese helped run an LA Horror Film Festival alongside “genre great” Stan Winston and was a Literary Manager at D-No Entertainment.

Matt Black (Judge) - Producer, UMMA for Sony Pictures

Matt Black is a feature film Producer who Executive Produced UMMA, which was produced by Sam Raimi for Sony Pictures and featured in The Hollywood Reporter and starred Sandra Oh, as well as PORNO which premiered at SXSW and was also featured in The Hollywood Reporter and was released theatrically. In addition, he has developed studio television projects with veteran showrunners.

Matt started his career as a screenwriter and has sold, optioned, or been hired to write nearly a dozen feature films.

Jonathan Barkan (Judge) - Executive Producer, (SKINAMARINK, ETHERIA)

Jonathan Barkan is an Executive Producer who has a long history in horror having started his career as the Editor-in-Chief of Dread Central and Bloody Disgusting.

His recent producing credits include Kyle Edward Ball's experimental supernatural horror SKINAMARINK (SHUDDER, IFC MIDNIGHT), MY CHERRY PIE, distributed by BayView Enterainment, as well as TV shows like ETHERIA for Amazon and DREAD: THE UNSOLVED for Dread Central. Jonathan is also credited on over two dozen feature films in which he has lent his expertise. He is currently producing MENTAL HEALTH AND HORROR, a documentary discussing the positive impact horror films can have.

He previously served as the Head of Distribution at VMI Releasing (through VMI Worldwide), and he was Head of Acquisitions and Development Director for Distribution Company at Mutiny Pictures.

Mutiny Pictures distributed the horror-thriller I AM LISA, the Drama DRIVE ALL NIGHT, and the historical drama THE MATCH. Jonathan was the VP of Feature Film Acquisitions and Distribution for The Horror Collective, where he discovered and acquired horror, thriller, and sci-fi titles. The Horror Collective's latest release is the micro-budget horror project SHIFTER.

Jonathan was also the Acquisitions Ambassador for DREAD Presents, a genre-centric distribution label under the banner of Epic Pictures Group. He has served as a jury member at various film festivals around the world, including South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, BIFAN in South Korea, Popcorn Frights in Florida, HARD: LINE in Germany, and Fantasia in Quebec, amongst others.

Jonathan loves to find elevated genre stories he can develop.

Jeremy Elliott (Judge) - Head of Production, Crypt TV

Jeremy Elliott is a physical production producer with 20+ years experience in the industry working in features, television and commercials. For the past 7 years, he's been Head of Production at Crypt TV, the horror content company founded by Jack Davis and Eli Roth. At Crypt TV, he leads a department of 15+ employees and manage the pipeline of content from Development, through Production and Post, to Final Delivery.

During his time at the company, he's Executive Produced a wide range of series and films including THE GIRL IN THE WOODS for Peacock, DON'T WATCH THIS for Netflix, THE BIRCH Seasons 1 & 2 for Facebook Watch and the feature film THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL & HER MONSTER which premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and was distributed theatrically by RLJE Films. Prior to Crypt TV, he produced several feature films including BIG BEAR starring Adam Brody and Tyler Labine, NOBODY WALKS IN L.A. and COFFEE KILL BOSS.

Nathan Samdahl (Mentor) - SVP, Features, 18hz Productions

Nathan Samdahl is the SVP at Walter Hamada's 18hz Productions and was previously the VP of Development and Production at Paramount Players and Creative Executive at Paramount Studios where he was instrumental in making the horror hit SMILE as well as notching up movies such as A QUIET PLACE, OVERLORD, PET SEMATARY, ORPHAN: FIRST KILL, and Alex Garland’s ANNIHILATION.

Before working at Paramount Studios, he worked in development at Paramount Insurge which was Paramount's indie division specializing in projects under $5M where he worked on films including 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE. Nathan worked at agency powerhouse APA in the lit department. He originally worked for agents Debbie Deuble, Sheryl Peterson, and Sarah Amico before being promoted to features coordinator.

Before APA he read and developed scripts at Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (MONEYBALL, THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES) and New Regency Productions (MR AND MRS SMITH).

Ethan Erwin (Judge) - Producer, Beryllium Entertainment

Ethan Erwin is a writer and producer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Erwin's films have grossed over $1.5 billion dollars worldwide, including credits such as SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, BOOK OF ELI, UNKNOWN, THE GUNMAN, THE NICE GUYS, ORPHAN, and it's sequel, ORPHAN: FIRST KILL. 

Erwin also served as a producer on SUPERFLY, starring Michael Kenneth Williams and released by Columbia Pictures, the Coen brothers-penned caper SUBURBICON, directed by George Clooney and starring Matt Damon, and WHITEOUT, directed by Dominic Sena, starring Kate Beckinsale and Gabriel Macht, and produced by Warner Brothers, in addition to the films COLLIDE, THE APPARITION, THE HILLS RUN RED, and RETURN TO HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL. He also wrote the film SOLSTICE, as well as on the CBS cult hit TV show MOONLIGHT. 

Erwin has developed and produced film, television and digital projects with A-list stars, directors and writers including Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Bullock, Denzel Washington, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Sean Penn, Hilary Swank, Guy Ritchie, George Clooney and Shane Black.

He now serves as principal of his own production company Beryllium Entertainment.