4th Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW THE WINNER

Animation is breaking new ground every day, exploring new genres and pushing boundaries. From big blockbuster movies like SPIDERMAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE and LIGHTYEAR to cult favorite TV shows like BOB'S BURGERS and BLUEY, animation is at the forefront of pop culture and adults and children alike fall in love with endearing characters and amazing visuals. We're looking for that next great voice in animation, and we want it to be YOU!

We are on the hunt for ALL types of animation scripts - adult and kids stories are welcome! We are looking for:

Feature film animation scripts like: SUPER MARIO BROS., ENCANTO, PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH, TURNING RED, ELEMENTAL, THE SEA BEAST, THE MONKEY KING, THE INVENTOR, BLACK CLOBER

Television pilot scripts like: BOB'S BURGERS, ENTERGALACTIC, WAKE UP CAROL, FUTURAMA, RICK AND MORTY, MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN, RUBBLE & CREW, MOON GIRL

But that's not all - we are looking for new, exciting, groundbreaking stories that haven't been seen yet, so all scripts are welcome! 

If you have an Animation story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!

Script Coverage & Resubmission Options

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? Using our NEW Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

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 last day to submit new drafts with this option is September 9th, 2023.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on September 29th, 2023. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Resubmission Option

We offer the option to resubmit a new draft of your script later in the contest for $39.00. You only have until 5 days after the Final Deadline to submit a new draft. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is September 4th, 2023. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Congratulations to our Winner!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

The Prizes

Our Grand Prize winner will:

• Be flown to LA for meetings (travel permitting) to meet with:
  • Josh Mandel, Senior Development Executive, Amazon Kids+ (Company Credits include KUNG FU PANDA: THE PAWS OF DESTINY, IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE)
  • Katherine Martinez DeLeon, Producer/Writer, Netflix (MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, CHICKEN RUN 2)
  • Clayton Conroy, Animation Development, UTA (Client Credits include THE LEGO MOVIE, FANTASTIC MR. FOX)
    
  • Jason Stiff, Producer, Bento Box (SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, BOB'S BURGERS)
  • Evan Anglin, Literary/Animation Manager, Zero Gravity (OZARK)
  • Joe Aaron, Writer/Producer/Director (Nickelodeon's DOUG)
  • Siobhan Murphy, Literary Manager, Gotham Group (Company Credits include THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES)
  • Marina Dompke, Producer (FAMILY GUY, THE WALKING DEAD)
• Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script’s pitch deck for the market
• Have your professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers who have a First Look deal with Stage 32 and are actively looking for new clients and material after the strike is over.
• Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, a private, virtual community of writers from around the world the meet and learn from industry professionals like Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT, CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Aimee Riviera, VP of Motion Picture Production at Skydance Media (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and managers & agents from WME, CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, Zero Gravity & more!
• Free access to Stage 32’s educational webinar library, which includes over 3,000 hours of content featuring top industry professionals
• Continued support from the Stage 32 team to help move your career forward and get you in front of decision makers!

In addition to these meetings, the winner will also receive access to Stage 32’s Educational resources, be promoted on Stage 32’s social media, and have their professional biography sent to an exclusive roster of over 30 agents and managers hand picked by Stage 32 who are actively looking for new clients and material. Stage 32 will facilitate introductory meetings to any of the representatives who respond to your material and bio. This is the type of exposure that will change your career forever!

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, an exclusive community of writers who gather online for inspiring and educational webcasts from top industry pros, and will be in a Stage 32 Lookbook which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Lookbooks 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 will be a champion for your script - once you’re part of our community, we make sure you rise to the top!

Our Animation 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?

"What sets Stage 32 apart as a contest is the exposure to people in the industry. Winning the 3rd Annual Animation Screenwriting Contest provided an amazing avenue for meeting with producers and managers that connected with my work. Contest accolades and money are great, but industry meetings are what an aspiring screenwriter really needs. Stage 32 delivered!" - Russel Koos, winner 2022. Russell has met with 8 companies including SONY PICTURES ANIMATION, BENTO BOX 

Winner Samantha Clay met with Pixar, Disney, Zero Gravity & more!

• PLUS! Our finalists have had their work requested by top production and management companies including SONY PICTURES ANIMATION and VERVE!
• Want to see some of our hundreds of success stories, click here!

Some highlights from Stage 32 contest winners and finalists 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!

Judge’s Credits and Company Credits Include:

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: June 15th, 2023

Early Bird Deadline: July 12th, 2023

Regular Deadline: August 2nd, 2023

Final Deadline: August 30th, 2023

Quarterfinalist Announcement: October 27th, 2023

Semifinalist Announcement: November 10th, 2023

Finalist Announcement: December 1st, 2023

Winner Announcement: December 15th, 2023

Submission Options

Feedback & Resubmission Option

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? Using our NEW Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99. Please submit revised drafts to contests@stage32.com.

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 last day to submit new drafts with this option is September 9th, 2023.

Feedback Option

We offer discounted coverage for $49.00. With this option, you will receive 1-2 pages of coverage/notes after the Quarterfinalist Announcement on September 29th, 2023. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Resubmission Option

We offer the option to resubmit a new draft of your script later in the contest for $39.00. You only have until 5 days after the Final Deadline to submit a new draft. The last day to submit new drafts with this option is September 4th, 2023. You cannot submit a new draft after the reading process has commenced or after any announcements have been made.

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

Josh Mandel (Judge) - Senior Development Executive, Amazon Kids+

Josh Mandel is a senior level producer and production executive with over 20 years of experience developing and producing content for Mattel, Disney, Pixar, Warner Bros, Universal, Sony, DC Comics, Dreamworks, Microsoft, Amazon, Interscope, Atlantic Records and WWE.

Josh currently oversees Development of original TV series and movies at Amazon Kids+, the premiere destination for movies, TV, mobile games and books aimed at kids ages 3-12.

Josh began in Development at Miramax with Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York and Production at Interscope with artists like Eminem, Weezer and 50 Cent before segueing into feature films and television. Josh has produced 10 feature films around the world including Lord of the Rings documentary “Ringers,” Best of 2015 Critics Pick “Uncertain Terms,” Independent Spirit Award-winning “Without,” and 2023 WGA-shortlisted “Paris is in Harlem.”

Katherine Martinez DeLeon (Judge) - Producer/Writer, Netflix

Katherine is a producer/writer who currently works at Netflix on the animated features team that previously produced Oscar-winning GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO and are currently working on 20+ upcoming projects including this year's NIMONA and CHICKEN RUN 2.

This year she was selected to be the animation producing fellow for the 2023 Film Independent’s Project Involve program sponsored by LAIKA. She is also a board member for the Children’s Media Association in Los Angeles, and a mentor for Women in Animation’s mentorship circle program.

Previously, Katherine has worked for Walt Disney, Universal, MGM, and the Jim Henson Company, and had the opportunity to be involved in projects such as Netflix’s WEDNESDAY, Netflix’s DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE, Illumination’s MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, and DreamWorks Animation’s TROLLS WORLD TOUR. Her focus in college was diverse storytelling, and she remains an advocate for all forms of diversity in the animation industry.

Clayton Conroy (Judge) - Animation Development & VO Booth Director, United Talent Agency

Clayton currently serves as the VO Booth director which works closely with animation development at United Talent Agency. He spent five years in the Motion Picture Talent department and then in the Animation Department being able to service both sides of the agency. Clayton has seen the development of feature films, from script to release, and has worked on animated projects for Netflix, Warner Brothers, HBO Max, and more. He has also served as the Executive Director of Tap Root Actors Academy, where he produced and creative-consulted multiple award-winning short films.

Jason Stiff (Judge) - Producer, Bento Box Entertainment

Jason's credits include King of the Hill for Fox; SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Dora the Explorer, in addition to numerous other series for Nickelodeon; Avengers Assemble, Guardians of the Galaxy and Ultimate Spider Man for Marvel; as well as work on series for Comedy Central, Netflix, and Adult Swim. He is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Prior to joining the Bento Box Atlanta team as a Producer in March of 2016, Jason was an Emmy and 6 time Golden Reel Award winner during his time with Nickelodeon Animation Studios, where he served as Vice President of Post Production. There he managed animation pipelines for television, direct to video, commercials, promos and other special projects including live action integration using a multitude of systems. His work has taken him to many different countries including South Korea, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland and others to manage the technology and workflow back to the US.

 

Evan Anglin (Judge) - Literary/Animation Manager, Zero Gravity

Evan Anglin is a literary manager specializing in animation at Zero Gravity Management. He has several years of experience as a literary manager, and has previously worked for Innovative Artists, Partos Company and BOLD. Zero Gravity is a leading literary management and production company with credits like OZARK, BLACKLIGHT and THE MARKSMAN.

Joe Aaron (Judge) - Writer/Director/Producer,

Joe Aaron is best known as the co-creator of DOUG and is co-author of children's book "Doug's Big Shoe Disaster."

Joe is also the writer / producer / director of the feature film CRAZY JONES, which ran on the Showtime Network, and was winner of many awards including Audience Choice Best Feature at Cinequest International Film Festival.

 

His current film SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS was released on indieflix and Amazon Prime.

He worked in television many years as a promotions and segment writer for HBO, Cinemax, Comedy Central and E!

Joe is featured in two documentaries: DREAMS ON SPEC, AUTISM THE MUSICAL and AUTISM THE SEQUEL.

Siobhan Murphy (Judge) - Literary Manager, The Gotham Group

Siobhan Murphy represents award-winning creatives and fresh new voices at the leading management/production company, The Gotham Group. The company is known for visually striking films and series like their wildly successful Paramount + SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, 20th Century Fox MAZE RUNNER trilogy, as well as KODACHROME starring Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis for Netflix.

Siobhan admires animation as a medium and is delighted to collaborate with artists, writers, directors, and producers across genres in TV and Film. Siobhan was honored on The Tracking Board’s 2022 “Industry Next List” for her work championing and advocating emerging and underrepresented voices.

Most recently, she spoke at the 2023 AfroAnimation Summit on “The Art of the Pitch” panel. Previously, Siobhan worked at CAA and graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University in Chicago.

Marina Dompke (Judge) - Producer,

Marina Dompke is an accomplished development and production executive with extensive experience working across the premium and broadcast content industry. Her work has resulted in the acquisition of several original projects which she created or conceptualized, including collaborations with HBO, Showtime, Legendary Entertainment, Miramax, Paramount, Village Roadshow Pictures, and CBS. Currently her slate includes live action film and TV partnerships with companies such as Skydance Entertainment, Hello Sunshine, Court Five and Goldcrest Films.

She most recently served as VP of TV & Film Development for Three Rivers Entertainment. Along with Emmy-nominated director/writer/producer David Hollander she oversaw the company’s slate of comedy and drama projects including AMERICAN GIGOLO (Showtime), HOW WE ROLL (CBS) and UNT. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE/CHUCK BARRIS PROJECT (AppleTV+).

Prior to this experience she was an executive at Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment working across major television and feature projects including THE WALKING DEAD, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, LORE, HELLFEST and FALLING WATER.

Marina was also previously a part of the Current Programming and Drama Development teams at FOX Broadcasting Company, where she worked on several series including BONES, GLEE, and FAMILY GUY.

Marina is an active member of the theatre community and earned a Master’s degree in Entertainment Management from the University of Southern California.