Screenwriting : Stage 32 + Catalyst Studios Empowering Women Script Competition closed -- who submitted? by Pat Alexander

hi! I submitted a feature narrative that's a semi-autobiographical story of my coming-of-age in Evangelical Arkansas! I know this film will resonate far and wide. Excited to be considered!

Hi, I am excited about submitting my feature Romantic Comedy Christmas film. “Unforeseen Christmas.

It's a heart-wrenching LGBTQ tale and has the right tone for the Christmas holidays, a season full of love.

I appreciate your consideration!

—- AND I wish myself luck

Lisa & Sophie, these are both stories I'd love to see unfold.

Sense I was a young girl, I always wanted to rob a bank. How exciting to make an illegal withdrawal, to be chased by the men in blue, to be in a wild car chase. Well, I did...in away. I wrote IT AIN'T OVER YET! and had a wonderful time doing it. I just thought of another twist for the script. This is one of those projects that are so much fun to write, you never want to stop. Concept: Unknown to each other, two feisty abused wives simultaneously go to a small bank to take out some money to run away from home. There they cross paths with a pack of old and feeble goons who are out for just one more heist. The goons pull off the robbery, but the ladies lift the goon's loot...and the mad cap chase is on!

Really excited for this one! So many great concepts!

Hi -- I haven't entered a competition for a while but couldn't resist sending out a screenplay I wrote several years ago called SMALL TOWN GIRL.

A talented young photographer is trapped in her small town with a disabled father until she receives an invite to go to NYC. At first wined, dined and wowed by the big city, she ultimately sees the seamy side of New York and struggles to find her own path -- only feeling fulfilled after connecting with a number of undocumented immigrant women and using her talent to share their story.

Thank you! Great to see what others submitted. I decided to give this a shot. I submitted my feature film titled Executing Paula. It’s the true story about the first African American teenage girl to be sentenced to death row in Indiana. What’s so intriguing is that the victim’s grandson helped to get her sentence overturned after the international outcry. This was at the early stages of teenagers committing adult crimes. I'm an ordained pastor and I volunteer in a woman’s prison. So I was fortunate to interview women who knew Paula as well as interviewed the grandson before he died. It’s a look at how she struggled with mental illness while incarcerated and how women like her never get the help they need. People tried to keep her off death row, but in the end, they didn’t really save her life.

What a great contest. Women are often not portrayed realistically in films. I love the historical true story films about strong women who make a difference. My screenplay is about a woman who broke barriers for women in academia. In her time, women were not allowed to attend universities because it was believed that education was detrimental to their health. Also, women were considered inferior intellectually. Against all odds. my heroine became the first female university professor in all of Europe. I so enjoy these uplifting films where social change is made by one person standing up for what is right. As Maya Angelou says, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” As women’s rights today are being threatened, it is important we know how hard women of the past fought for the rights we have today, and how we must continue along that path for future generations.

Hello, everyone! British screenwriter and playwright here. Like others, I'm concerned about women's rights being diminished in many countries, expecially those we'd hope were more enlightened. My screenplay, 'Seahorse', a dystopian fantasy set in the nearish future, takes this to the opposite extreme. Sort of! A skewed matriarchal society, initially voted into power for the right reasons, now dictates that, since pregancy and child-rearing are demeaning, all gestation must be done by males. My protagonist, of course, forgets to supress her fertility and gets pregnant. She also manages to shoot an Authoritarian, finds herself on the run in the wilderness with her child-to-be's father, falls in love, saves another woman... and inadvertently starts a revolution to restore natural order!

There are so many great and grabbing stories. I wish you all a happy weekend from Spain!

So happy to see this contest and be able to submit to the first one! My screenplay is a (semi) autobiographical coming-of-age story and 2000s period piece about a young girl in the rural US navigating class, race, and what it means to be "grown up," all while her family is trying out for the honor and glory of being featured in a skeevy reality TV show.

Excited to join this group! Best of luck to everyone!

This is such a meaningful contest. I wish all of us could win.

When I was younger, I stayed at a women's shelter. There, I met women who were risking their lives by returning to their abusers again and again. When I asked the support workers why this was happening, I was told, “It’s part of the process” or “Abused women like the drama.” I was appalled. Finding the reason for this dangerous behavior and what could be done about it became my passion. I wrote this script to convey what I learned because many people, including the powers that be, often think abused women are stupid for staying with and/or defending their abusers. Those people don’t understand how difficult it is to walk away from abuse when you are brainwashed.

I submitted a project that I know I can produce for the $3MM prize. And it's something that a lot of women deal with but has never been focused on in film. It's what I call a realistic PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN meets 3 BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI, the protagonist is a vigilante going after deadbeats who don't pay child support.

Why you say? There is currently over $116 BILLION in unpaid child support in the US and that's just what is reported. It's even worse in other countries.

I need enlightenment. Is the main feature of this contest is that it prohibits half the population from entering? I'm old enough to remember when that shit was frowned up,

Michael Elliott it is an opportunity to elevate female stories and female creators. Considering only 2.3% of VC funding goes to women, only 14.7 % of films are directed by women and only 27% or films are written by women, the statement that half the population is not included is not a fair representation of the reality of challenges that women have telling ANY story, much less one that demonstrates female empowerment.

Michael Elliott's comment makes me think of what I read in the trades and elsewhere about "diversity fatigue". You have some voices out there arguing reverse discrimination now. Laurie is on point about the figures. We won't even talk about the dismal figures for minority writers and filmmakers. Companies like Catalyst should be applauded for doing something really rare which is helping to give women and non-binary filmmakers an opportunity to tell their stories. I'm grateful to see such wonderful ideas from my fellow writers. I won't be upset if I lose to those who have submitted. In the meantime, let me keep hustling.

Sandy Fox-sohner Here is the snippet about the contest; it is open to women and non-binary. Open to women and non-binary writers and directors to submit feature film scripts of any and all genres with a focus on social impact (i.e. brings awareness to current issues or progresses society forward with new/innovative thinking that doesn't fall into typical patriarchal views and conditioning especially as it pertains to women.) that can be made for $3 Million or less, can be in any language and MPAA rating, and must be original works created by the entrant that address underlying social issues with intent for social change/awareness building.

A verbose way of saying....no men allowed. BTW: I've written a romantic-drama script that in September won two major screenwriting contests. 1) LA International International Screenplay Awards-Diversity iv. 2) Best Romantic Screenplay, Chicago Script Awards. FYI: I can check off 3 boxes on the "diversity" scale: over 65, partially disabled, cancer survivor. But I suppose, in today's metrics, all that doesn't negate being a heterosexual white male. So, yea, I was annoyed when I couldn't enter that contest, In all honesty I don't believe my story addressed "underlying social issues...for social change/awareness building" (Yawn). It was just a simple story of a couple, in their 70s, who managed to make their love the center of their lives after 60 years. I was surprised Stage 32 succumbed to such fashionable nonsense. But what institution hasn't?

Michael Elliott It's not the only contest on Stage 32 (or anywhere for that matter). Which clearly you know because you've entered your script elsewhere. (YAWN) -- It sounds like you have an axe to grind with anyone who will listen/read.If your script doesn't fit this mandate, it's no reason to belittle those who do.

I'm not sure if this is appropriate because this isn't about this contest or about women screenwriters. It's a general observation about women from the movie Barbie. "You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but you also have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but you also have to always be looking out for other people.

You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.

But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful.

You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, and never get out of line. It's too hard! It's too contradictory, and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault."

Joan Butler Funny! I have to admit I have not seen Barbie, not a fan in general, but just maybe I will now.

I had to be dragged to the movie, kicking and screaming. It was much better than I expected.

My submitted mixed-reality screenplay, "Mambo Motel ~ The Metaverse Musical" is set simultaneously in Virtual Reality and Real Life. The 6 main characters adopt their avatar of choice, which means more to them than the human skin of chance with which they were born. No one knows in this virtual reality, who is really behind the bright, hip and young avatars except the audience. The Female lead is a woman, late 50's more vital in Mambo Motel than real life affords. This includes becoming an "It Girl" running comedy clubs, poetry slams and talks shows all while pretending to be 30 years younger than she actually is. The Protagonist is a Prince who wants to escape the glare of the media and just be himself. He finds that place, anonymity and much more.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone! So great to read about all the exceptional content that's all about empowering women! I submitted 3 projects - details below. GOOD LUCK!

CLOSER TO FINE (drama feature)

• LOGLINE: LADY BIRD meets THE CATCHER IN THE RYE – As she wavers between championing individuality and seeking acceptance, a 15-year-old girl acts out but fails to recognize that her behavior may have very serious consequences. A semi-accurate recollection of the writer's adolescence.

• MATERIALS: script + look book.

• AWARDS: winner/finalist in 7 competitions - including COVERFLY's Top 6% of ALL PROJECTS 2023 • WINNER, BEST DRAMA SCREENPLAY - Imagine This Women's Film Fest • FINALIST - Big Apple Film Fest • SEMI-FINALIST - Table Read My Screenplay • TOP 25 - The Finish Line Script Competition • OFFICIAL SELECTION - City of Angels Women's Film Fest • OFFICIAL SELECTION - Atlanta Women's Film Fest • OFFICIAL SELECTION - Montreal Women Film Fest

• WATCH ME TALK MORE ABOUT CTF HERE: https://youtu.be/pIIM2XJN5Zg

DADDY ISSUES (comedy feature)

• LOGLINE: MR. MOM meets 9 TO 5 – A single, stay-at-home dad must navigate the social and cultural challenges of re-entering the workforce.

• MATERIALS: script + look book.

• AWARDS: winner/finalist in 11 competitions - including COVERFLY's RED LIST • COVERFLY's Top 1% of ALL PROJECTS 2023 • SEMIFINALIST - Austin Film Fest • WINNER - Broad Humor Film Fest • TOP 10 - PAGE Awards • SEMI-FINALIST - Creative World Awards • TOP 10 - StoryPros • SEMIFINALIST - Stage 32’s Comedy Contest • QUARTERFINALIST - Table Read My Screenplay • QUARTERFINALIST - ScreenCraft Family Competition • QUARTERFINALIST - Emerging Screenwriters Comedy Competition

KUDZU (thriller feature)

• LOGLINE: CHILDREN OF THE CORN meets SHERRYBABY – A recovering addict must rescue her estranged son from an “orphanage,” which is actually a front for a sinister evangelical cult that turns children into murderous criminals.

• MATERIALS: script + look book.

• AWARDS: winner and/or finalist in 43 competitions - including COVERFLY'S RED LIST • THE BLACK LIST'S BEST SCREENPLAYS OF THE WEEK • WINNER - The Crime List 2021 • RUNNER UP - Female Eye Film Fest • FIRST RUNNER UP - GenreBlast Film Fest • SEMI-FINALIST- Table Read My Screenplay • SEMI-FINALIST - NY Women in Film & TV Writers Lab • SEMI-FINALIST - Nantucket Film Fest • QUARTERFINALIST - Vancouver International Women in Film Fest • TOP 4 - Atlanta Women's Film Fest • TOP 5 - Imagine This Women's Film Fest • TOP 7 - Female Voices Rock Film Fest • TOP 10 - StoryPros • TOP 20 - FilmQuest • FINALIST - Richmond Film Festival • FINALIST - Big Apple

Hi, it's good to see all the interesting projects people have submitted

My screenplay, Taste of Freedom, is a fictional screenplay inspired by my experiences as a VISTA Volunteer (domestic peace corps) in the late sixties.

The logline is: In 1967, in an impoverished minority community that fights racism and discrimination, Kitty is an idealistic teenage runaway escaping an abusive family who finds her place, her purpose, and the nerve to confront her alcoholic father.

The theme of this story is a quest of the heart. While feeling emotionally numb and in danger of losing herself due to her alcoholic family life, my character awakens to her feelings, her choices, her relationships and asks, “What is love? What is the meaning of life?”

I have scheduled a table read for January so I can "hear" what it sounds like and I'm developing a pitch deck.

I want to thank Stage 32 and Catalyst Studios for this wonderful opportunity. All the best to everyone!