9th Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenwriting Contest

The BIGGEST Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!

Over $50,000 in Prizes!

Ever dreamt of seeing your Sci-Fi/Fantasy script come to life on the big screen or stream on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality!

Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $5,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be set up on VIP MENTORSHIP meetings industry professionals who’ve worked on iconic TV shows like SEVERANCE, SNOWPIERCER, VAN HELSING, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and more!

Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $2,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have your logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure! Finalists will also earn an invite to an exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement!

But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!

Open to Feature Film and TV Pilot Scripts!

Science Fiction and Fantasy endure throughout entertainment for their rich ability to introduce audiences to new worlds. From the intensity and action of RINGS OF POWER, to the totally wild and original concept of SEVERANCE, to the dangerous power plays and high stakes of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, audiences can’t get enough exciting science fiction & fantasy storytelling. This year alone, classic freanchises like STAR WARS and STAR TREK are being continued w/ new seasons of ANDOR and STARFLEET ACADEMY, proving a great story can last for decades. The appetite for amazing science fiction and fantasy projects is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!

We’re on the lookout for all types of sci-fi/fantasy scripts! Galaxy spanning space operas? Atmospheric new world explorations? Bold time jumping adventures? Genre-twisting experimental concepts? The next legendary dragon empire? We want to see it all!

Let our last year's Annual Sci-Fi/Fantasy winner, Glenn Acosta tell you why you should enter!



What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?

We are looking for Feature scripts like:

SNOWPIERCER, ARRIVAL, 12 MONKEYS, STARSHIP TROOPERS, STAR WARS, POOR THINGS, FINCH, FOE, INTERSTELLAR, PRIMER, AD ASTRA, THE MIDNIGHT SKY, REBEL MOON, LOOPER, OBLIVION, DAMSEL,THE ELECTRIC STATE, CADDO LAKE, IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE, INFINITY POOL, THEY CLONED TYRONE, and more!

As well as TV pilot scripts like:

SEVERANCE, FOR ALL MANKIND, FOUNDATION. GEN V, BLACK MIRROR, SILO, STAR TREK, THE MANDALORIAN, THE LAST OF US, THE EXPANSE, THE WITCHER, RINGS OF POWER, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, DEVS, SEE, MYTHIC QUEST, and more!

But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before!

For the last 13 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.

If you have a sci-fi/fantasy 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!

Who Are The Judges?

• Nicholas Weinstock, President/EP, Invention Studios (SEVERANCE, ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA)
• Thomas Vitale, Executive Producer, Vital Signs Entertainment (STARGATE, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, EUREKA)
• Jonathan Walker, Showrunner (VAN HELSING, SNOWPIERCER)
• Matthew Bouch, Producer & Development Executive (THE WITCHER, DOCTOR WHO)
• Vanessa K. Katto, Creative Executive, Bad Mama Jama Films
• And more to come!

What Are the Prizes?

As always, our Grand Prize Winner will:

• Meet with top industry pros like who have worked on projects like SEVERANCE, SNOWPIERCER, VAN HELSING, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and more!
• Work with Stage 32 to develop all the materials on your winning script!
• Have your script logline and bio sent to our exclusive roster of agents and managers actively seeking new talent.
• Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, gaining access to over 3,000 hours of educational content and networking with industry heavyweights.
• But that's not all!

Check below for ALL our new prize packages! Including packages for Finalists, Semifinalists, Quarterfinalists, and more!

Want Script Coverage & The Ability To Submit A New Draft?

Want professional feedback on your script? We offer discounted script coverage and the option to resubmit revised drafts. Our feedback options are designed to help you polish your work and give you the best chance at success.

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: May 15th, 2025

Early Bird Deadline: June 11th, 2025

Regular Deadline: July 2nd, 2025

Final Deadline: July 23rd, 2025

Quarterfinalist Announcement: September 12th, 2025

Semifinalist Announcement: September 26th, 2025

Finalist Announcement: October 10th, 2025

Winner Announcement: October 24th, 2025

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

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE PACKAGES INCLUDE:

WINNER: The Career Accelerator Package - $5,000 Value

• VIP MENTORSHIP meetings with top industry pros, who have worked on projects like SEVERANCE, SNOWPIERCER, VAN HELSING, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and more!
• Script Development Package
  • Free detailed, comprehensive story notes on your script
  • Pitch deck development to help get your winning project market-ready for you to shop
  • Logline polish for your winning project

• Career Development Package
• Free Career Development call with a top Executive
• Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
• Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
• An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement

• Writer Branding Package
• A punch-up of your professional bio
• Headshot selection advice
• Portfolio guidance
• Portfolio branding tips
• Social media branding tools

• Education Package
• Free 1-year Writer’s Room Membership
• Stage 32 Webinar Library All-Access prize code (3,000+ hours of educational content)
• Free Stage 32 Writing Lab of your choice with one-on-one mentoring with an executive
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification

FINALISTS: The Career Momentum Package - $2,500 Value

• Career Development Package
• Free Career Development call with a top Executive
• Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
• Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
• An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement

• Writer Branding Workshop with an Executive
• A punch-up of your professional bio
• Headshot selection advice
• Logline polish for your finalist script

• Education Package
• Free 3-month Writer’s Room Membership
• Free Stage 32 Writing Lab of your choice with one-on-one mentoring with an executive
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
• 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

SEMIFINALISTS: The Career Breakthrough Package - $1,000 Value

• Education Package
• Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
• 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

QUARTERFINALISTS: The Career Elevation Package - $500 Value

• Education Package
  • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
  • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
  • 1 Free webinar code

ALL ENTRANTS - $100 value

• Education
  • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
  • 1 Free webinar code

In addition to all that, all writers receive continued support from the Stage 32 team, who work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

Our Contest Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 12 years and 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 winner, Glenn Acosta gained massive traction on his winning script CRYOLIFE, after he took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Zero Gravity Entertainment, Thruline Entertainment, Safehouse Pictures, Red Stag Entertainment, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for sci-fi/fantasy content.

Our 7th Annual winner, Josh Miller toured the town with his winning script TIME TOURISTS and two more of his scripts, one of which earned him an option agreement with Sandstone Artists!

Like Josh shared: "Living in our imaginations is a valid career choice and we should never give up on our dreams!"

"Keep writing, keep submitting, keep improving your scripts and breakthroughs will happen!" -- Josh Miller

Previous winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:

Past Sci-Fi winners, like Bill Poore went on to sign with a manager! In his own words, "This contest feels like a game changer."

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner John Dummer went on a whirlwind tour of meetings after his win, which lead toWonder Woman Producer Stephen Jones sending John's script to Atlas Entertainment (Justice League, Suicide Squad), as well as Talent Agent Shawn Burns sending out his script to managers that specialize in sci-fi writers!

Per John: "I don't imagine there is a contest that can do more for you than this one!"

Our Grand Prize Winner Ben Gross, writer of THE LADIES' GUIDE TO HACKING met and worked with manager Daniel Vang from Good Fear Film + Management, was commissioned to write a script for Daniel Herther, VP of Development from Baker Entertainment Group, met with Spencer Malof from the Illusinarium, and was mentored by Marc Zicree (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica).

Our 2nd Place Winner, Ryan Lee, writer of TOWER 9 was optioned by studio producer Mitchell Peck!

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

Winner Christina Pamies was signed by Billion Dollar Literary Manager Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the highly anticipated BAGHEAD. Check out the Variety article the film is featured in.

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 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!"

Winner Julie Ann Cross won a mentorship with Amy Baer of Gidden Media, and a $7,500 option agreement.

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

Nicky Weinstock (Mentor) - President, Invention Studios

Nicholas "Nicky" Weinstock is the founder and president of Invention Studios. He has developed and produced movies including Bridesmaids, Alex Strangelove, Plus One, Dinner in America, Queenpins and Thelma, as well as television series including Escape at Dannemora on Showtime (nominated for 12 Emmy Awards); the four-season hit series In the Dark on Netflix; the Apple TV+ series High Desert; and the Emmy Award-winning Apple TV+ series Severance, which he continues to Executive Produce.

Weinstock began his career as a book editor, journalist, and novelist in New York City. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Secret Love of Sons, the novels As Long as She Needs Me and The Golden Hour, and has written articles and essays for the New York Times Magazine, The Nation, National Public Radio, the Los Angeles Times, Variety, Vogue, and other national publications. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2004, Weinstock has run Apatow Productions with writer/director Judd Apatow; served as Senior Vice President of Chernin Entertainment; and headed Red Hour Films in partnership with actor/director Ben Stiller.

Weinstock launched Invention in 2021 with a diverse and expansive slate of projects in Hollywood and across the globe. He is also the founder of Craft Services: an online support network and project incubator currently serving more than 900 emerging movie and TV writers across the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia, Africa and beyond.

Weinstock serves on the executive council of the Authors Guild, based in New York City; on the board of the Africa International Film Festival, which takes place yearly in Lagos, Nigeria; on the board of Pavillon Afriques, the Cannes Film Festival's platform devoted to pan-African cinema; and on the board of Get Lit, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles devoted to helping under-resourced students and communities through the power of poetry and spoken word. In 2022 he was elected to the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as a juror of the International Emmy Awards.

Jonathan Walker (Mentor) - Showrunner, Van Helsing, Snowpiercer

Jonathan Lloyd Walker is an English-Canadian actor, producer, and screenwriter in the film and television industry. He has gained recognition for his roles in various films, including Shooter, RED, and as Colin, the British radio operator in The Thing (2011 prequel). Additionally, he portrayed Rankol in the TV series Flash Gordon and Big John in TNT's Snowpiercer.

Beyond his acting career, Walker took on the role of showrunner for the fourth season of the drama series Van Helsing. During the first three seasons, he collaborated with acclaimed and award-winning playwright Neil LaBute, serving as Co-Executive Producer initially and then as Executive Producer.

Walker also contributed as a writer and producer for all four seasons of the popular Showcase/SyFy series Continuum, under the guidance of series creator and executive producer Simon Davis Barry. In 2018, he wrote for the Canadian television series The Murders and Private Eyes, while also assuming the position of Co-Executive Producer for the Netflix series Wu Assassins.

Thomas Vitale (Mentor) - Executive Producer, Vital Signs Entertainment

Thomas P. Vitale (“Tom”) is a television and film writer/producer specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror/supernatural programming and movies. He currently runs Vital Signs Entertainment. Recently Tom produced and released the science fiction time travel action-adventure film, 57 Seconds, starring Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson, based on the renowned and award-winning story by British author, E.C. Tubb.

Tom is also an EP on the critically-acclaimed Slasher, a streaming anthology series, formerly on Netflix, which will be dropping its sixth season on Shudder later in 2025. Additionally, Tom is an EP on the CW’s original documentary special, Best Christmas Movies Ever!, which premiered in December 2024. He is also producer, interviewer, and on-screen interview subject of the critically-acclaimed documentary 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever, which premiered at the prestigious Sitges Film Festival in Spain and subsequently aired as a weekly series in the U.S. and in markets worldwide.

Tom was also a writer and Executive Producer on Pandora, a scripted science fiction series which ran for two seasons on The CW Network and Amazon streaming. And in 2018, Tom co-wrote and produced the horror-comedy, You Might Be the Killer – the first movie ever produced from a Twitter conversation that went massively viral – which played in over 15 film festivals in the U.S. and internationally, and is now available on streaming.

Prior to Vital Signs Entertainment, Tom was EVP at NBCU’s Syfy Channel and Chiller Network, where he ran scheduling, acquisitions, original movies, documentaries, specials, and series co-productions. While at Syfy, Tom made the network into one of the largest producers of original movies on television when he created Syfy’s original Saturday movie franchise, “The Most Dangerous Night of Television.” The over 350 original movies made during Tom’s tenure include buzzy, high-rated titles like Mansquito and Ice Twisters, Roger Corman’s Sharktopus, Stan Lee’s Harpies and Lightspeed, and the social media sensations Sharknado 1 & 2.

In the series world at Syfy, Tom developed, commissioned, or supervised many original TV series and miniseries including Z Nation, Dark Matter, Flash Gordon, Painkiller Jane, Lexx, the animated comedy Tripping the Rift, and the critically-acclaimed Farscape from Jim Henson Productions. He was also responsible for bringing the immensely successful Stargate franchise to Syfy and worked on everything at the network from Battlestar Galactica, to the Emmy-winning miniseries Steven Spielberg Presents Taken, to Eureka, to Warehouse 13, to the ratings record-setting Tin Man, to Dean Devlin’s The Triangle, and to unscripted reality shows like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal Witness, and Face Off.

For the Chiller Network, Tom ran all the day-to-day network operations and was responsible for critically-acclaimed festival horror and supernatural films such as Elijah Wood’s The Boy, and Animal from executive producer Drew Barrymore, in addition to dozens of hours of reality series, original documentaries, and specials.

Born and bred in the Bronx, Tom is a graduate of Williams College in Massachusetts. A member of the WGA, PGA, and Mensa, Tom began his entertainment career in the famed Page Program at NBC, followed by a stint in marketing and strategy at Viacom Enterprises. Tom has “permanent residency” status in the E.U., making him eligible for Canadian and European co-productions.

Matthew Bouch (Judge) - Producer, THE WITCHER, DOCTOR WHO

Matthew Bouch is a longtime Development Executive, Producer, and Showrunner who has produced for companies such as BBC, DISNEY, and NETFLIX. Matthew was the Producer on seasons 2 & 3 of the NETFLIX hit series THE WITCHER, which was nominated for 3 Emmys. He also produced A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER , a BBC/Netflix co-production.

As an development executive at the BBC, Matt developed the shows DOCTOR WHO, HOLBY CITY, TORCHWOOD, LIFE ON MARS and MISTRESSES, the last three of which were re-formatted in the US, before developing and producing Russell T Davies’ BAFTA-nominated series THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES, which ran for five seasons. He also developed THE FAMOUS FIVE for Moonage/BBC/ZDF/TF1. 

Matthew co-created the multi-award winning BEING HUMAN, on which he was co-showrunner with Toby Whithouse. Another BAFTA-nominated show, MY MAD FAT DIARY followed, and ran for three seasons. He was then selected by David Goyer to creatively oversee and exec Seasons 2 and 3 of the Emmy-winning DA VINCI'S DEMONS for FOX/Starz. 

He is currently developing multiple projects including: HOW TO BECOME A FAMOUS SERIAL KILLER, with Olivia Cuartero, for Black Camel/All3, ACTS OF GOD for Element 8/AT Productions, and a whole slate of projects with director Peter Hoar (IT'S A SIN, THE LAST OF US).

ENTRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Void where prohibited by law.

This Stage 32 Contest is an international contest. Must be 18 years or older to submit.

Entrant agrees to Stage32.com terms and conditions.

This Stage 32 Contest is not a game of chance. All material is read and reviewed by industry professionals.

All quarterfinalists, semi-finalists, finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays an Entrant can enter. The same screenplay cannot be submitted multiple times under different names. If so, you will be disqualified.

Entrant must not be an immediate family member or friend of any of the judges or their respective companies.

Entrant acknowledges that because of the judges' and mentors' position in the entertainment industry they receive numerous submissions of ideas, formats, stories, suggestions and the like and that many such submissions heretofore or hereafter received by them are similar to or identical to those developed by them or their employees or, if an agent, are otherwise available to them.

Entrant acknowledges that they will not be entitled to any compensation because of the use by judges or mentors of any such similar material.

Entrant acknowledges that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between Entrant and judges or mentors, and Entrant further acknowledges that no such relationships are established between Entrant and judges or mentors by reason of this contest entry.

Entrants must submit screenplays and payment online.

Entrants must upload their submission within 72 hours of entry purchase.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

No waivers are available for this contest.

SCREENPLAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Screenplays should be written in English and in standard industry format.

The rights to the Entrant’s screenplay should not have been previously optioned or sold.

The Entrant retains the rights to his or her screenplay at all times.

Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced.

The screenplay can be submitted with or without a title page and/or contact information.

After a screenplay is entered, no new drafts or corrected pages can be made by the Entrant unless it is confirmed in our records that the Entrant has paid for the "Resubmission" option.

Screenplay must be submitted as a PDF document.

Screenplay must be the original work of the Entrant and may not be based whole or in part on any fictional or non-fictional material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced for which the Entrant does not have rights. Neither Stage 32 nor its judges investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

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.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. Updated drafts will need to be sent to contests@stage32.com to be scored.