2nd Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest

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Stage 32 is excited to announce our 2nd Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest!

Last year's winner signed with Zero Gravity Management for representation!  This year the Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood (travel permitting) to have private one-on-one meetings with some of the most prolific and talented Animation artists, writers, filmmakers, producers, and executives from top companies! 

The winner will meet industry pros from DISNEY, SKYDANCE ANIMATION, SONY PICTURES ANIMATION, WARNER BROS., NETFLIX, and APPLE+, as well as the creative minds behind Oscar-winner ZOOTOPIA, Oscar-nominated WRECK IT RALPH!, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, Oscar-nominated HERCULES, MEET THE ROBINSONS, Oscar-nominated THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and many more!

There are even more mystery judges who will be announced in the coming weeks from A-list animation companies and productions! 

ALL Finalists will not only receive exposure to our incredible panel of judges and mentors, but they will also have their titles and loglines featured in the Stage 32's industry Look Book which will be sent to over 500 executives and professionals who work directly with Stage 32. If an executive requests your script or a meeting with you, we will facilitate!

Thanks to the successes of instant classics like ZOOTOPIA, TOY STORY, THE LEGO MOVIE and SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, and daring TV satires such as RICK AND MORTY, BOJACK HORSEMAN, BIG MOUTH, and BOB’S BURGERS, the wonderful world of animation is more exciting, diverse, and in demand than ever! There is truly something for everyone when it comes to animated features and TV series!

Walt Disney said, "Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive" and Brad Bird says, "“we all have impossible dreams and we do what we can to pursue them...”

It is the mission of Stage 32 to help you realize your dream! We seek to amplify your unique voice, give you unprecedented industry access and launch your writing career to the next level. 

Stage 32 is thrilled to announce our 2nd New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest for both Features and Television!

Once again, Stage 32 is out to discover the boldest new voice in animation and give that writer a platform to launch their career. And true to form, we’re giving you exclusive access to professionals from every corner of the animation industry.

Remember that animation is a storytelling medium, not a genre.  The opportunities for the sorts of stories that we could be telling are limitless. So, do you have the next Paw Patrol? The next BoJack? The next Incredibles, Lego Movie, or Simpsons? Or do you have something that sits in a class all its own? This is your time to shine! 

Who are the Judges?

Every judge in this esteemed group is at the top of their craft, and they are actively looking to support and champion the voices of new writers and new animated material!

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to LA (travel permitting) and meet with judges and mentors including:

• Alison Mann, Vice President Content & Strategy, Sony Pictures Animation (Company credits include Oscar-winning SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE, THE MITCHELLS vs THE MACHINES)
• Clay Kaytis, Director, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, "PEANUTS" for Apple+
• Eric Favela, Head of Story, Sony Pictures Animation (Credits include THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2, DESPICABLE ME 2)
• Maggie Kang, Director, K-POP DEMON HUNTERS for Sony Pictures Animation
• Dwayne Colbert, Emmy-Winning Writer
• Donald H. Hewitt, Screenwriter (Credits include SPIRITED AWAY, THE CAT RETURNS)
• Daniel Gonzalez, Animator, The Walt Disney Company (Credits include MOANA, Oscar-winning ZOOTOPIA, Oscar-winning TOY STORY 3, Oscar-winning FROZEN, BIG HERO 6, WRECK IT RALPH)
• Ariel Goldberg, Director of Talent Acquisition at Skydance Animation (Company credits LUCK, 2022) 
• Monica Lago-Kaytis, Associate Producer (WRECK-IT RALPH, Oscar-winning ZOOTOPIA)
• Mike Disa, Writer/Director (Credits include THE SIMPSONS, PARADISE PD, HOODWINKED TOO, MULAN, POCAHONTAS)
• Jaime Moyer, Writer (Credits include "LEGO CITY ADVENTURES" for Nickelodeon)
• Aaron Daniel Jacob, Script Coordinator - Bento Box Entertainment (Credits include PARADISE PD on Netflix, DUNCANVILLE at Fox, HOOPS for Netflix, BOB'S BURGERS)
• Rob Janas, Writer, Warner Bros. Animation (Credits include "BE COOL, SCOOBY DOO!", "WACKY RACES", "UNKITTY")

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, Art/Work and many, many more.

Stage 32 Gets Results!

Stage 32 screenwriting and television writing competitions have springboarded over TWO DOZEN screenwriting careers! All of these writers have either been signed, optioned, or are now working screenwriters in the industry.

Meet Samantha Clay the Winner of the 1st Annual New Voices in Animation Contest!

Some highlights from Stage 32 contest winners and finalists in the last 12 months alone include:

• Eric Jeske - was signed by literary managers Krista Sipp and Devon Byers of First Friday Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Greg Mania - was signed by Laina Cohn and Jon Taub of Cohn/Torgan Management after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Christina Pamies - was signed by prolific spec script selling manager Jake Wagner of Alibi Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32! She was hired to write the horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal (see the announcement on Deadline here)!
• Christine Torres - signed with prolific manager and producer Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• See dozens of success stories below under "Our Track Record"

What Types Of Scripts Can I Enter?

We’re looking for any and all original screenplays and teleplays.

Feature Length Screenplays:

All genres of feature film screenplays are welcome.

Teleplays:

All genres of 30-min Original Pilots. Please no spec scripts based on existing shows.

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 $49 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. 

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!

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood and sent on private one-on-one meetings with the panel of industry mentors including:

• Alison Mann, Vice President Content & Strategy, Sony Pictures Animation (Company credits include Oscar-winning SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE, THE MITCHELLS vs THE MACHINES)
• Clay Kaytis, Director, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, "PEANUTS" for Apple+
• Eric Favela, Head of Story, Sony Pictures Animation (Credits include THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2, DESPICABLE ME 2)
• Daniel Gonzalez, Animator, The Walt Disney Company(Credits include MOANA, Oscar-winning ZOOTOPIA, Oscar-winning TOY STORY 3, Oscar-winning FROZEN, BIG HERO 6, WRECK IT RALPH)
• Ariel Goldberg, Director of Talent Acquisition at Skydance Animation (Company credits LUCK, releasing 2022)
• Monica Lago-Kaytis, Associate Producer (WRECK-IT RALPH, Oscar-winning ZOOTOPIA)
• Mike Disa, Writer/Director (Credits include THE SIMPSONS, PARADISE PD, HOODWINKED TOO, MULAN, POCAHONTAS)
• Jaime Moyer, Writer (Credits include "LEGO CITY ADVENTURES" for Nickelodeon)
• Aaron Daniel Jacob, Script Coordinator - Bento Box Entertainment (Credits include PARADISE PD on Netflix, DUNCANVILLE at Fox, HOOPS for Netflix, BOB'S BURGERS)
• Rob Janas, Writer, Warner Bros. Animation(Credits include "BE COOL, SCOOBY DOO!", "WACKY RACES", "UNKITTY")
• Maggie Kang, Director, K-POP DEMON HUNTERS for Sony Pictures Animation
• Dwayne Colbert, Emmy-Winning Writer
• Donald H. Hewitt, Screenwriter (Credits include SPIRITED AWAY, THE CAT RETURNS)

In addition, Stage 32's executive team will send your screenplay title, logline, writer bio & script synopsis to over 500 development executives, producers, managers & agents who work with Stage 32. If an executive requests the script or a meeting, we will facilitate the delivery.

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.

Dwayne Colbert (Judge & Mentor) - Emmy award-winning writer, Brainwashed by Toons

Dwayne Colbert is an Emmy award-winning writer, improviser, actor, producer and theater director from Los Angeles. He’s the writer/director of the much-lauded musical comedies Afros & Ass Whoopins, and Shade: A Colorful Musical Comedy. He’s written for animated and live-action shows on Nickelodeon, FunnyOrDie.com and SyFy Channel.

He was the head writer and executive producer of Brainwashed by Toons, which received two Daytime Emmy nominations, and featured original songs performed by Wayne Brady, Lea Thompson and Jason Alexander. As an actor, Dwayne has appeared on Superstore, Baskets, Silicon Valley, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Good Trouble, and in numerous national commercial campaigns. Dwayne writes, performs and teaches improv and sketch comedy at Nickelodeon Studios in Burbank and at theaters throughout the Los Angeles area.

Alison Mann - Co-President, Fourth Wall Animation

Alison Mann is the President of Fourth Wall Animation Production and also a talent manager. Before that, she was the Vice President of Creative & Strategy at Sony Pictures Animation. In her role, Mann manages the development and talent for the studio’s feature film, international, and series-based projects, collaborating with business affairs, recruiting, and the creative team to foster new relationships with key creatives within the animation industry.

 

As an artist, Mann always knew she wanted to work in animation. She began her career at Nickelodeon in the finance department as their recruiter/coordinator of talent relations. Through her almost two decades in the industry, she gained experience in TV, film, and gaming while working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Zynga, Disney Interactive, Paramount Pictures Animation,and Illumination Entertainment.

 

Mann is the co-founder of the BRIC Foundation, an organization set up to solve how to create new access points for women and people from underrepresented groups so they can excel at creative leadership and to enable culture change through engaging and empowering talent. She recently received the June Foray Award at the Annies.

 

As a creative and supporter of talent, Mann is passionate about storytelling and identifying and working with inspiring creators who can continue to elevate the animation industry.

 

Alison is specializes in animation Feature Film and TV scripts.

Clay Kaytis (Judge & Mentor) - Director, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, Frogbot Films

Clay Kaytis is a Director, Screenwriter, and Animator. His career started at Walt Disney Animation Studios as an intern on hand-drawn films.

Nineteen years later he was Head of Disney's CG Animation Department. Kaytis then left Disney to direct his first film THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, which grossed over $350 million worldwide, became Sony's best performing film of 2016, and "hatched" a sequel.

Kaytis followed up with his live-action directing debut THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, starring Kurt Russell for Netflix. The family adventure instantly became a Christmas hit for the streamer with over 20 million views in the first week alone, spawning the sequel THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2, which Kaytis Executive Produced.

Kaytis is currently directing two animated PEANUTS specials for Apple TV+. In 2005, Kaytis created THE ANIMATION PODCAST, a series of interviews with animation industry giants. Althought it ended in 2012, the archived podcast continues to inspire listeners in pursuing their artistic dreams.

Monica Lago-Kaytis (Judge & Mentor) - Associate Producer, WRECK-IT RALPH and ZOOTOPIA

Monica Lago-Kaytis is a Latin-American producer. Born in Hollywood, Monica Lago-Kaytis joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1994 for the film POCAHONTAS and continued to work in a wide variety of production roles on traditional, CG and stereoscopic animated films including HERCULES, MEET THE ROBINSONS and THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG.

She served as Associate Producer on WRECK-IT RALPH and ZOOTOPIA then made her live-action debut with Netflix’s THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES. Her talent for casting put Kurt Russell at the top of the list for his now iconic performance as Santa Claus.

Monica is a co-founder of the non-profit organization Rise Up Animation, which was created as a response to social injustice and inequity. Rise Up Animation provides feedback and guidance for BIPOC individuals around the world who are interested in working in all areas of the animation industry.

Ariel Goldberg (Judge & Mentor) - Director of Talent Acquisition at Skydance Animation, Skydance Animation

Ariel Goldberg is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Skydance Animation, working since 2019 to grow the new studio into a major player in both feature and episodic animation. Skydance Animation released its first feature animated film, LUCK, in 2022, distributed through Apple Studios. Their second feature film SPELLBOUND is due to be released November 2024 via Netflix. They've produced 2 short films distributed through Apple Studios, the new animated series WONDLA (2024) on Apple+, and a 4-picture slate setup at Netflix. 

Ariel received his MFA in Animation from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. After starting out as an independent animation director and freelance illustrator, Ariel worked as a Senior Concept Artist at Zynga, designing costumes and characters for social games FarmVille and CastleVille. In July 2013, Ariel joined the Recruitment team at Disney Interactive, where he remained until January 2015, when Nickelodeon asked him to oversee Talent Acquisition for its animated productions.

At Nickelodeon, Ariel developed a staffing pipeline for the hiring of designers, storyboard artists, directors, production assistants, and script coordinators, among other positions.

Having been both a freelance and studio artist, at startup companies and large corporations, and in games, television, and feature films, Ariel has developed a multifaceted understanding of the challenges facing creative, technical, and business professionals looking to launch their careers in entertainment. This is why, in his spare time, Ariel is passionate about discussing these challenges with young professionals, in the hopes that he can demystify the Recruitment process for them and help them to avoid some of the mistakes he made in his own career.

Jaime Moyer (Judge & Mentor) - Writer, Actress, "LEGO CITY ADVENTURES", "BOB'S BURGERS"

Jaime Moyer is an actress and writer who has voiced two characters on "BOB'S BURGERS", will appear in a guest starring role on the new Fox animation THE GREAT NORTH, and has had recurring roles on many sitcoms including: the Netflix series THE BIG SHOW SHOW, AP BIO, MODERN FAMILY, and Disney's hit show KC UNDERCOVER. Jaime also appeared on PARKS & RECREATION, 2 BROKE GIRLS, and more.

Jaime wrote three seasons on Nickelodeon's "LEGO CITY ADVENTURES", where she helped create many memorable original characters.

Jaime occasionally appears as Guillermo's wife on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, and was awarded the sole prize of Maestro at the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival in Austin, TX in 2011. Follow her on Twitter @Jaime_Moyer.

Daniel Gonzales (Judge & Mentor) - Animator, PIXAR & The Walt Disney Animation Studios

Meet Daniel has been animating for 13 years for studios including PIXAR Animation and The Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has helped make films such as FROZEN, MOANA, ZOOTOPIA, WRECK IT RALPH and more.

Daniel attended San Francisco’s California College of the Art. By Daniel’s college sophomore year he was working at Pixar Animation Studios and soon after found himself working in Los Angeles for the Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Daniel received attention for his artwork at an early age. His entrée’s in the Museum of Latin American art and The U.S. District court for the southern District of California, that are still on display, would be the start of a promising career of fine art, teaching, public speaking, and animation. When not working Daniel has been creating his personal work and teaching art at various institutions in his spare time.

 

Maggie Kang (Judge & Mentor) - Director, K-POP DEMON HUNTERS (Sony Pictures Animation),

Maggie Kang has been working as a storyboard artist for over 15 years at various feature film studios including DreamWorks, Blue Sky, Illumination, and was Head of Story at Warner Animation Group for LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE.

She is currently directing her first feature film K-POP DEMON HUNTERS at Sony Pictures Animation.

Mike Disa (Judge & Mentor) - Animation Director, Netlfix

Mike Disa is currently the director of the Netflix series "PARADISE PD" and has been in the animation industry for over twenty-five years.

 

Mike has found success at studios such as Dreamworks Animation, Disney Feature, Warner Brothers, Paramount, and many others. Over a fascinating career, Mike has worked with some of the greatest and most infamous people in Hollywood including Steven Spielberg, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Bakshi, Glenn Close, Steve Oedekerk, David Tennant, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jeffery Katzenberg, and Roy Disney.

 

Mike has worked on over 16 feature films, developed/written two television series, and directed 5 animated feature films. Some of Mike's credits include "WACKY RACES" forWarner Bros. Animation, "THE SIMPSONS", POSTMAN PAT for Dreamworks, POCAHONTAS, TARZAN, FANTASIA 2000 and MULAN for Disney, and HOODWINKED TOO. 

Eric Favela (Judge & Mentor) - Head of Story, Sony Pictures Animation

Eric Favela is an Annie Award-nominated Head of Story, storyboard artist, writer, and director with fifteen years of experience in feature animation.

Eric has worked at Blue Sky Studios and Illumination and is currently a writer and story consultant at Sony Pictures Animation. He was the Head of Story on SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2, and contributed to DESPICABLE ME 3, RIO, and more. 

He graduated from CalArts in 2006 with a BFA in character animation and returned in 2011 to teach Advanced Story for two years. 

Aaron Daniel Jacob (Judge & Mentor) - Script Coordinator, Bento Box Animation Studios

Aaron Daniel Jacob is the Script Coordinator at the animation studio Bento Box Entertainment on several of their animation shows including PARADISE PD on Netflix, DUNCANVILLE from Amy Poehler at Fox, HOOPS for Netflix, BOB'S BURGERS, and an upcoming UNTITLED Apple TV+ animated series!

 

Previously, Aaron was worked in creative development at Original Force 3D Animation working on their first animated feature, as well as Disney TV Animation. In addition, Aaron optioned a war fantasy feature screenplay in 2017, and is currently developing several other feature and television work for both live-action and animation.

Rob Janas (Judge & Mentor) - Writer BE COOL, SCOOBY DOO!, WACKY RACES, UNKITTY, Warner Brothers Studios

Rob Janas has worked for the past several years at Warner Brothers Studios, writing freelance scripts for BE COOL, SCOOBY DOO!, WACKEY RACES, and UNKITTY. 

He worked as a staff writer for two seasons on WB's NEW LOONEY TOONS, writing nearly two hundred scripts. It was while working at NEW LOONEY TOONS, that he wrote the song "Rock the Rock," performed by guest star and Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose. It was Axl's first recording in ten years.

He's written for WB and Renegade Animation's THE TOM AND JERRY SHOW and TOM AND JERRY IN NEW YORK, and wrote for two seasons on Nickelodeon’s LEGO CITY ADVENTURES. He was also a story editor on the upcoming WOODY THE WOODPECKER series at Universal. 

Donald H Hewitt (Judge & Mentor) - Animation Screenwriter, SPIRITED AWAY, THE CAT RETURNS

Donald H Hewitt is a working screenwriter and WGA member with 20 years of industry experience. Donald has also had the privilege of working with some of the top producers in the industry, such as: David Heyman, John Lasseter, Peter Chernin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Charles Roven and Alex Gartner.

Over the last 10 years, Donald has also been a passionate and dedicated screenwriting instructor using his extensive experience to guide students to success. Not only do Donald's students consistently place highly in contests, (including winner Johan Ingler, who's script Frankie & Chair is now in production) but many of them have gone on to sell their projects, in fact, just this last year 4 students have sold 5 projects.