Ever dreamt of seeing your horror story 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! We're proud to announce the 13th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great horror script!

Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be first in line for VIP MENTORSHIP meetings with Producers who have worked on iconic horror movies like THE MONKEY, LONGLEGS, BAGHEAD, THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER, PET, SAW, and more!

"This contest embodies our dedication to elevating horror writers," said Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto. "Audiences consistently prove their hunger for bold and terrifying storytelling. By championing original horror voices, we're building bridges to opportunity for talented writers across the globe. We're here to make sure that incredible horror writers reach the executives, managers, and producers actively developing the next generation of horror stories."

Horror is having a moment, and audiences can't get enough. From the theater-packing terror of OBSESSION and BACKROOMS, to the anxiety-inducing thrills of RESIDENT EVIL and LEE CRONIN'S THE MUMMY, to the enduring scares of SCREAM 7 and 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE, horror has dominated the box office this year, with multiple titles crossing the $400 million mark worldwide. The appetite for smart, original horror storytelling has never been stronger, and we want your story to be the next smash hit that has audiences too scared to turn off the lights!

Stage 32 is proud to present the 13th Annual Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest!

Classic slashers. Atmospheric psychological terrors. Supernatural forces beyond our control. Monsters, vampires, zombies, all the things that go bump in the night. Whether it's a feature in the vein of WEAPONS or a TV pilot like WIDOW'S BAY - if you have a horror story that needs to be told, the New Blood Contest wants to see it!

Click Here To Enter!

We're Building New Worlds

The focus on Horror stories isn't random. It reflects current market demands:

• Streaming platforms actively seek original horror voices because audiences can't get enough
• Horror stories are wanted by every studio, sales company, and producer
• Franchise potential makes Horror films and series attractive to financiers

You're positioned perfectly for current market opportunities combining several rare elements:

• Established Access: Direct pipeline to proven managers and producers
• Exclusive Platform: Available only to the Stage 32 community
• Personal Review Process: Your work is seen by actual decision-makers
• Global Scale: Worldwide talent search through the largest creative community
• Proven Success Model: Based on Stage 32's pipeline of results

Stage 32 Contests Launch Careers

-- After winning our Search for New Blood contest --

Writer Travis J. Opgenorth - Script optioned by Broken Time Entertainment and signed with a manager at Persistent Entertainment after Stage 32 introduced him to nearly a dozen industry pros.

The Writing Team of Tanya Klein & Jim Cirile - Script set up for production with $1.5M budget, Lucas Heyne attached to direct & Scoot McNairy set to star!

Writer Christina Pamies - Signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager Jake Wagner, then hired by StudioCanal to adapt BAGHEAD (now streaming on Shudder/AMC+).

Writer Kevin Bachar - Winning script THE INHABITANT (previously BLOOD RELATIVE), produced by Lionsgate and released on Hulu.

Writer Richard Doyle (Australia) - Signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield

Writer Glenn Forbes - Secured representation with Infinity Management International

The Writing Team of Alyssa & Griffin Devine - Signed with HG5 Entertainment, writing 2 scripts with 1 going into production

Writer Frank Ponce - Signed with 3 Arts Entertainment and had his script picked up by Atlas Entertainment

More Recent Winners Making Waves:

Film & TV Comedy Winner Ted Sperling signed a shopping agreement with Pathfinder Media on his winning script TREASURE INC!

Diversity Talent Accelerator Winner Micheal S. Camp signed a shopping agreement with Color Farm Media on his winning script THE PERFECT KISSER!

TV Comedy Winners Maxwell Gay & Tucker Flodman - Signed with Literary Agent Joe Fronk of IAG (setup by Stage 32) who got them hired as Staff Writers on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!

Diversity Springboard Winner Jeffrey Thompson - Staffed in the Writer's Room of THE GOLDBERGS

Career-Changing Representation:

• TV Drama Winner Katie McClung - Signed with literary manager Chloe Morris of 42 MP
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner Josh Miller - Signed with literary manager Tamer Ashan of Zero Gravity Management
• Rom Com Finalist Henry Sawyer-Foner - Signed with literary manager Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment
• Female Driven Winner Jimmy Miller - Signed with literary manager Marc Manus
• Drama Winner Jonathan Jordan - Signed by major agency Verve, script currently in production
• Comedy Winner Diana Wright - Signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency
• Comedy Winner Greg Mania - Signed with Cohn/Torgan Management, published NPR Best Book of 2020

The Stage 32 Difference: Winners receive meetings with managers, agents, and producers - not just a trophy. Real careers launched, real movies made, real representation secured.

"Stage 32 isn't about a quick win and a pat on the back. They're serious about opening doors." - Travis J. Opgenorth

Click Here To Enter!

What This Means for Your Career

You're not just winning a contest. You're joining a development pipeline with a proven track record of commercial success. You're getting the kind of attention that can move a career into overdrive.

• Last year, sixteen writers had additional materials requested by Mammoth Pictures.
• Finalist Roni Byrd-Brown met with Producer Ethan Erwin of Berrylium Pictures (ORPHAN: FIRST KILL) after placing with her script HALLELUJAH NIGHT.
• Finalist Deborah Richards met with Producer Nick Phillips of PBR STREETGANG (PET, BARRON'S COVE) after placing with her script SCISSOR MOUTH.
• Finalist Alessandro Alessandro Guarino met with Literary Manager Jake Wagner of Alibi Entertainment after placing with his script METASTASIS.
• Finalists Sean Plemmons & Jeff Hassen met with Producer Alex Williams of DRACENA PICTURES (THE RITUAL) after placing with their script SNAKE OIL.

Your participation in this process demonstrates the kind of strategic thinking that separates professional writers from hobbyists. You're positioning yourself within a community that attracts this level of industry attention.

All these Producers and Managers are looking for horror scripts, too! They will read and judge the Top 10 finalist scripts and meet with any finalists whose writing they enjoy!

• Nick Phillips, Producer, PBR Streetgang (SCREAM, HALLOWEEN, HELLRAISER, PET)
• Jake Wagner, Lit Manager, Alibi Entertainment (BAGHEAD, POLAROID, CRAWL)
• Michael Peterson, Creative Executive, Phoenix Pictures (THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER)
• Laurie Cook, Head of Development, Newscope Films (CONSECRATION, THE HAUNTING OF THE QUEEN MARY)
• Connor Purcell, Director of Development, C2 Motion Picture Group (LONGLEGS, THE MONKEY)

And if you select the optional add-on mentorship opportunity or you're a Top 10 finalist, you could win a mentorship with Wonder Street Entertainment Producer and Literary Manager Andrew Wilson (SAW, CRAWLSPACE)!

These are actionable opportunities to make meaningful connections in this industry!

The Bottom Line: Opportunity Meets Preparation

Stage 32 has spent over a decade turning contest entrants into working writers — landing them representation, sales, options, staffing, and produced credits. Neighborhood Watch's Sean Farley didn't know his Stage 32 connection would lead to a theatrical release starring Jack Quaid. James Papa didn't predict his Stage 32 relationship would result in No Address with Billy Baldwin. Richard Zelniker could never have thought that 3 years after his contest win, he'd be linking back up with an Executive Producer, who Stage 32 set him up on a general meeting with after winning a contest, to direct The Vortex.

Success in this industry often comes from positioning yourself in the right place when opportunity strikes. Stage 32 has created an ecosystem where fresh voices can thrive. Horror stories are bigger and better than ever, and we’re here to make sure your script rises to the top. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be discovered—enter now and let us champion your story!

Is your voice ready to be discovered?

If so, click here to submit now!

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