1st Annual True Story/Biopic Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

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Stage 32 is thrilled to announce our 1st Annual True Story & Biopic Screenwriting Contest!

Open to both Feature Script and Television Pilots!

The Grand Prize Winner will be personally mentored by leading True Story & Biopic Producer Jim Young whose credits include critically acclaimed films

THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, LOVELACE, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, and more!

The Grand Prize Winner will also be flown to Hollywood to meet one-on-one with our judging and mentoring panel whose credits include True Story/Biopic hits GENIUS: ARETHA, FORENSIC FILES and upcoming limited series like THE POISONED CITY, and more!

ALL Finalists will receive exposure to our incredible panel of judges and have their titles and loglines featured in the Stage 32's Industry LookBook, which is sent to over 500 executives and professionals who work directly with Stage 32! Previous Stage 32 contest finalists have had their projects optioned and been signed for representation as a result of our industry lookbooks!

If the last few years are any indication, sometimes reality is even stranger than fiction - and certainly more dramatic. Some of the most interesting and unbelievable stories come straight from true life experiences. Recent hits like “HALSTON”, SPENCER, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE and NOMADLAND prove that True Stories and Biopics continue to capture the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere.

Whether your true story or biopic is meant to inspire, educate, or give audiences a glimpse into a world or a history they know nothing about - we want to hear from you!

It’s time to tell our outstanding judging panel your most unique and personal stories, or your take on history’s most prominent figures. Don’t miss this chance to have them read your work! This competition is open to both Feature Scripts and Television Pilots!

Nowhere else do you find top judges and mentors like you do on Stage 32. The Grand Prize Winner will meet with an incredible panel of judges from companies that have produced some of the great True Story series and films in recent memory including GENIUS: ARETHA, THE CATCHER WAS A SPY, LOVELACE, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, FORENSIC FILES and more!

Judges' Credits & Company Credits Include:

If you write True Stories or Biopics, this contest could launch your career! Whether your true story script centers on crime, fame, or everyday life, we want to see them all. Bring us those important stories that haven’t been told before, or a fresh take on a well known story. True stories are so marketable right now - let us get yours out there!

Now - exclusively through Stage 32 - you have the opportunity to meet industry professionals from these prolific companies who will have read your script!

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet:

Jim Young, Producer (LOVELACE, THE CATCHER WAS A SPY)

Sam Sokolow, Executive Producer (GENIUS, MASTER OF CEREMONIES)

Michelle Alexandira, Producer/Distributor (ASK ME TO DANCE)

Chris Bellant, Literary Manager (DARK IRISH, THE POISONED CITY)

Phil Claroni, Producer (FORENSIC FILES, COPYCAT KILLERS)

Kaleb Tuttle, Development Executive (13 REASONS WHY)

ALL FINALISTS will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books are respected throughout the industry and have helped secure dozens meetings and which have led to writer success with companies like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Black Bear Pictures, Lit Entertainment and many, many more.

Over the last 8 years, Stage 32’s screenwriting contests have gained a reputation as one of the “most worthwhile screenwriting contests to change your career.” No other contest provides their winners and finalists with the same level of direct access to industry leading professionals who can take your career to the next level! Over the last 8 years, Stage 32 has become an incubator for finding talent and material across the globe.

Chris Torres - a previous Stage 32 Contest Winner - was SIGNED because of Stage 32

Jonathan Jordan - a previous Stage 32 Contest Winner - was SIGNED & PRODUCED because of Stage 32

Recent success stories to come out of Stage 32 include:

• Gwenn Joyaux won the grand prize in the 5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest for her film Tomorrow Island and was signed by Le'Ander Nicholson from Believeland Management.
• Ghana born, Montreal-based filmmaker Will Niava was one of the 5th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest winners for his film Zoo. Producer Jason Resnick (Serenity, After, Destination Wedding) saw Will's film in the Stage 32 Short Film program and hired Will to work on co-directing a feature film.
• Billion Dollar Production Company Mandalay Pictures optioned the script 99 Dreams Neon by Donnie Hobbie after Donnie connected with Creative Executive Will Raynor through Stage 32.
• Writer Robert Levering's feature script, Discredited Citizen is now in development with John Goldwyn Productions ("Dexter", "Dopesick") after connecting through consultation at Stage 32.
• Search for New Blood Winner Grand Prize Winner - Christina Pamies - was signed by Jake Wagner off of her winning script, A Good Deed! She was hired to write the Horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal!
• The Eye of Owou, written by Martin Reese, received a $5,000 option and with a consideration for $100,000 in production financing!
• Eric Jeske - was signed by literary managers Krista Sipp and Devon Byers of First Friday Entertainment after winning the 5th Annual Feature Writing Contest and taking meetings set by Stage 32!
• 10-31, a horror film that will be produced by renowned director Eli Roth, Roger Birnbaum and Orion Pictures,written by Stage 32 member Laurie Ashbourne is greenlit and starts shooting later this year.
• Chick Fight starring Malin Ackerman, Alec Baldwin and Bella Thorne written by Stage 32 member Joe Downey is in post-production and awaiting release!
• What Lies Ahead, written by Stage 32 member William Viglione, directed by Stage 32 member Rob Gardner, and packaged by Stage 32 script services executive Tiffany Boyle of Ramo Law was released in theaters in 2019.
• Vagic, a romantic comedy written by Stage 32 member Julie Ann Cross, received a $7,500 option and is being produced by legendary producer Amy Baer of Gidden Media Group.
• My Clone’s an A-Hole, a comedy written by Julie Ann Wight was offered a $5,000 option by National Lampoon.
• I'm Not Jack, a script written by Stage 32 member Jack Cusick, received a $7,500 option and is being developed by legendary producer Amy Baer of Gidden Media Group.
• Stage 32 member Diana Wright signed with The Cartel after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Jonathan Jordan signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Aaron Benjamin signed with Housefire Management.
• Stage 32 member Aaron Bierman signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Chris Torres signed with manager Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Stage 32 member Greg Mania was signed by manager Laina Cohn of Cohn/Torgan Management after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!

This contest has produced some of the most sought after material from our finalists and winners. Requests for our finalists scripts have increased year over year and our winners have met face to face with a who’s who of working industry executives and gatekeepers!

Unprecedented access. Greater opportunities.

Better exposure. More reads.

Real success!

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

What Types Of Scripts Can I Enter?

We are looking for compelling True Stories and Biopics of all subjects and genres. If your story is based on a true story or inspired by a true story, or centering on a real person, an event, or a period in history, we want to hear from you! 

Feature Length Screenplays & Television Pilots:

This contest is open to Feature Length Screenplays and Television Pilots for Limited Series and Recurring Series. 

Feedback Option

For an additional fee of only $49 you can receive full coverage from our industry readers on your screenplay or teleplay. Just check "coverage" upon checkout. Coverage will be sent out after the winners are announced.

"I found Stage 32’s contest coverage far better than some other services I have used in the past, where I felt almost assaulted. Please thank him or her for a well-done job. It was my first try with Stage 32 but it will not be my last." - Bob C.

"Stage 32 contest coverage is even better than some of the industry coverage I received. Thank you for these invaluable notes!" - E. Robinson

"The insight from my coverage from the Stage 32 contest helped me improve my script's dimension exponentially. I had looked at the script so much that I can't believe I missed a major plot point. Thank you!!" - S. Persons

Resubmission Option

Do you think you will want to send an updated draft later in the competition? For an additional fee of only $39 you will be able to resubmit one (1) revised draft up to 24-hours after the Final Deadline of the Contest. 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 Grand Prize winner will be flown to Hollywood to meet with:

Jim Young, Producer/Founder, Animus Films (LOVELACE, THE CATCHER WAS A SPY)

Sam Sokolow, Executive Producer/Consultant (GENIUS, MASTER OF CEREMONIES)

Michelle Alexandira, Producer/Distributor, Light Year Pictures (ASK ME TO DANCE)

Chris Bellant, Literary Manager, Waldorf Entertainment (DARK IRISH, THE POISONED CITY)

Phil Claroni, Executive Producer, Story House Productions (FORENSIC FILES, COPYCAT KILLERS)

Kaleb Tuttle, Director of Development, Brillstein Entertainment Partners (13 REASONS WHY)

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 and will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books 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’s contests have gained a reputation as one of the “most worthwhile contests to change your career.” No other contest provides their winners and finalists with the same level of direct access to industry leading professionals who can take your career to the next level! Stage 32 has become an incubator for finding talent and material across the globe.

Jim Young (Mentor) - Award-Winning Producer, Animus Films

Jim Young of Animus Films is a leading independent non-fiction producer, with almost two dozen films under his belt. Jim is currently in pre-production on the Drama UNDER THE MILY WAY with two-time Oscar-winner Nick Vallelonga directing (Vallelonga was the one of the writers and producers of GREEN BOOK).

 

In August 2020, Jim released CUT THROAT CITY starring Oscar-nominee Ethan Hawke and Oscar-nominee Terrance Howard.

 

Jim has created a successful career producing true-story films such as THE CATCHER WAS A SPY with Paul Rudd, LIFE OF A KING with Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr., THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY with Oscar-nominee Dev Patel, LOVELACE with Oscar-nominee James Franco and Amanda Siefried, and the upcoming film, THE PEOPLE VS. VEGAS DAVE.

 

Jim has a long history of producing critically acclaimed features and documentaries including YEAR OF THE BULL at Showtime, THE WORDS with Oscar-nominee Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana.

 

Animus Films productions have released through Showtime, Paramount Pictures, CBS Films, Millennium Entertainment, and Image Entertainment. His films have also premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, and the Toronto Film Festival.

Sam Sokolow (Judge) - 2-time Emmy Award-nominated Executive Producer, National Geogaphic's GENIUS

Sam Sokolow is a highly respected television executive and 2-time Emmy nominated Executive Producer with deep experience in developing and producing television series.

Sam is currently Executive Producer of "GENIUS", a scripted series for National Geographic Network, which he developed from book to series.

The first season of "GENIUS" depicted the life of Albert Einstein with Geoffrey Rush starring as Einstein and Ron Howard directing the pilot. "GENIUS: EINSTEIN" garnered ten 2017 Emmy nominations including a Best Limited Series nomination for Sam.

The second season of "GENIUS" - "GENIUS: PICASSO" - depicted the life of Pablo Picasso with Antonio Banderas starring as Picasso and garnered seven 2018 Emmy nominations including a Best Limited Series nomination for Sam.

The third season of "GENIUS" – "GENIUS: ARETHA" - depicts the life of “The Queen Of Soul” Aretha Franklin, with Cynthia Erivo portraying Aretha and Suzan-Lori Parks showrunning, and will premiere in 2021. Season 4 of "GENIUS" – "GENIUS: MARTIN LUTHER KING" – has been ordered and will premiere in 2022 on Disney+.

Phil Claroni (Judge) - Executive Producer, Story House Productions

Phil Claroni is an Executive Producer at Story House Productions. With offices in Washington D.C., Berlin, and Munich, STORY HOUSE Productions uniquely connects the world’s two largest television markets in the world – the United States and Germany. STORY HOUSE Productions specializes in creating and producing exceptionally diverse, distinctive, and award-winning non-fiction television, documentary, digital, and fictional content.

They have produced content for Discovery, National Geographic, PBS, CBC, Channel 4, BBC, Smithsonian Channel, NHK, Spiegel TV, ZDF, ProSieben, and RTL. As Story House Productions continues to deliver high-quality and entertaining storytelling to audiences all around the world.

Phil has worked on a plethora of exciting history, political, science, reality, and true crime projects. His work has appeared on networks and streaming services such as CNN, PBS, Smithsonian Channel, TruTV, CMT, Roku, Quibi, Curiosity Stream, Investigation Discovery, Discovery UK, Reelz, and ZDF.

Previously, Phil was a Producer of the massively popular series "FORENSIC FILES" for TLC. Since then, he has been a Showrunner, Director, and head writer for series airing throughout the world. Currently, he is based out of the Washington D.C. area and is an Executive Producer for Story House Productions.

Phil's previous credits include series for Investigation Discovery, Reelz, PBS, TruTV, Smithsonian Channel and more.

Chris Bellant (Judge) - Literary Manager & Producer, Vision Entertainment

Chris Bellant is a Literary Manager and Producer at Vision Entertainment. He was previously a manager at Zero Gravity, Established Artists and Waldorf Entertainment, and before that spent years developing film, TV, theater, commercials and digital content for several production companies. At Zero Gravity, he represents actors, writers, directors, authors and media rights for IP.

Chris's clients have past and current projects with companies including Netflix, Warner Bros, Paramount+, IFC, 101 Studios and Freeform, among others. He is currently producing a limited series based on Anna Clark’s book, The Poisoned City, which chronicles the events of the Flint Water Crisis, as well as a series adaptation of Sara Foster's novel The Hush. He also has several features financed to shoot in 2023, including projects created by clients.

Previously, Bellant worked with SXM Studios to develop branded content, and produced independent films. Previous films include LOSERVILLE, which was released in theaters by MarVista Entertainment and starred Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Matt McGorry and Darby Stanchfield, THE LOST WEEKEND with Tony-winner Reed Birney and Gracie Gillam, LIGHT with Will Pullen (winner of Best LGBTQ Film at the Venice Film Awards), and LIVING WITH THE DEAD (winner of Best Feature at the Aberdeen Film Festival).

Michelle Alexandria (Judge) - Executive Producer / Distribution, Light Year Pictures

Michelle Alexandria is an Executive Producer for Light Year Pictures and Head of International Sales for distribution company at 123 Go Films. She has over 20 years working in the sales and distribution and has worked on many feature films as well as multiple television projects in various capacities including producing, line producing and executive producing. Michelle knows what gets the attention of both financiers and distributors. Prior to joining Light Year Michelle has worked for Odins Eye, Topanga Pictures, and Archstone Distribution.

She is an invited speaker on the topic of financing each year in the Cannes Producers Network and other panels along with other prominent film festivals and markets including MipCom, Berlin, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, Sundance, and AFM. She is also on the advisory board of The Burbank Film Festival.

Michelle is a member of the PGA Producers Guild of America.

An LA native, Michelle Alexandria, began a career working in finance. During her several years as a financial director for Jaguar cars, she pursued acting and began studying at the prestigious Beverly Hills Playhouse. Within a few years she naturally gravitated towards the business side of the entertainment industry as investors began seeking her financial advice in film. She continued her education at UCLA focusing on film production, line producing, and film distribution. Her knowledge and experience along with her well-established relationships in the industry has made her an invaluable asset to the entertainment industry.

Kaleb Tuttle (Judge) - Director of Development, Brillstein Creative Partners

Kaleb Tuttle is the Director of Development for Brillstein Creative Partners (formerly Brillstein-Grey Entertainment) supervising all production and development for the company.

Kaleb began his career at Paramount Pictures working directly for the Chairman and CEO of the studio. He then moved to Paramount Television working for the President and Senior Vice President of the television group. There, he worked on hit series including 13 REASONS WHY for Netflix and DEFENDING JACOB with Chris Evans for Apple+.

Kaleb has spent the last two years developing a wide range series at Brillstein. The company's Television production credits include "POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH BILL MAHER," "THE SOPRANOS", "THE MIGHTY DUCKS: GAME CHANGER" (2021), and more.