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THE HUMANITAS PRIZE 33rd HUMANITAS Prize� Finalists Announced
Los Angeles, CA - June 7, 2007. Frank Desiderio, C.S.P., President of the
HUMANITAS Prize, announced today that 28 writers were named finalists in 8
categories for the 33rd Annual HUMANITAS Prize. The writers will be competing for
$145,000 in prize money to be handed out at the annual luncheon which will be held on
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at the Hilton Universal Hotel. The HUMANITAS Prize was
created 33 years ago to reward great writing for television and film.
"At HUMANITAS, we believe writers are the true power behind the supertanker known
as Hollywood and they don't always get the respect they deserve," commented Cathleen
Young, Executive Director of the HUMANITAS Prize. "So every year, we get to
acknowledge the contributions of some of the most talented writers in this town. And in
doing so, we get to shine a light on stories that pack a powerful punch -- sometimes with
laughter, sometimes with tears -- stories that tell us the truth about where we've been,
where we are and where we're going. In the world we live in today, we feel that is
crucial."
Writer Larry Gelbart will receive the 2007 Kieser Award and deliver the keynote address
at this year�s luncheon. "Larry is a tremendous talent who possesses breathtaking vision
and creativity. We are honored to give him the Kieser Award which recognizes an
individual whose work promotes a deeper appreciation for the dignity of each member of
the human family. Larry's work epitomizes that goal," stated Frank Desiderio.
The HUMANITAS Prize finalists are:
Feature Film Category ($25,000)
AMAZING GRACE Written by: Steven Knight (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside
Attractions)
FREEDOM WRITERS Screenplay by: Richard LaGravenese (Paramount Pictures)
VENUS Written by: Hanif Kureishi (Miramax Films)
90 Minute Category ($25,000)
LONGFORD Written by: Peter Morgan (HBO Films)
TSUNAMI, THE AFTERMATH - Part II Written by: Abi Morgan (HBO Films)
WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY Written by: Nancey Silvers
(Lifetime)
60 Minute Category ($15,000)
ER: "There Are No Angels Here" Written by: R. Scott Gemmill & David Zabel (NBC)
HOUSE: "House vs. God" Written by: Doris Egan (FOX)
THE WEST WING: "Election Day - Part II" Written by: Eli Attie & John Wells (NBC)
30 Minute Category ($10,000)
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE: "Oh God, Yes" Written by: Jennifer
Crittenden (CBS)
SCRUBS: "My Fallen Idol" Written by: Bill Callahan (NBC)
THE WAR AT HOME: "Kenny Doesn�t Live Here Anymore" Written by: Rob
Lotterstein (FOX)
Children's Animation Category ($25,000)
JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS: "The Gift" Written by:
Sindy McKay, Dennis Haley & Marcy Brown (PBS)
MAYA & MIGUEL: "Give Me A Little Sign" Written by: Evelina Fernandez (PBS)
MISS SPIDER�S SUNNY PATCH FRIENDS: "The Prince, the Princess and the Bee"
Written by: Nadine van der Velde (Nick, Jr.)
Children's Live Action Category ($25,000)
JUMP IN! Written by: Doreen Spicer and Regina Hicks & Karin Gist (Disney Channel)
MOLLY: An American Girl on the Home Front Teleplay by: Anna Sandor (Disney
Channel)
Sundance Feature Film Category ($10,000)
EZRA Written by: Newton I. Aduaka & Alain-Michel Blanc, Story by: Newton I. Aduaka
WAITRESS Written by: Adrienne Shelly (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES Written by: Salvatore Stabile
The David & Lynn Angell Fellowship in Comedy Writing ($10,000)
JONNY MAIS University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts
Spec script of WEEDS: "Pot Chocolate"
Since its inception in 1974, the HUMANITAS Prize has presented over 237 prizes and
dispersed over 2.8 million dollars in prize money to television and motion picture writers,
whose work honestly explores the complexities of the human experience and sheds light
on the positive values of life. Each year, the HUMANITAS Prize holds Master Writers
Workshops presented by today's leading writers. Winners of the HUMANITAS Prize
have included: Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco (Crash); Greg Garcia (My Name is Earl);
Keir Pearson & Terry George (Hotel Rwanda); Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Lackawanna
Blues); Michael Kang (The Motel); John Wells (The West Wing); Tony Kushner (Angels
in America); Antwone Fisher (Antwone Fisher); Niki Caro (Whale Rider); David E.
Kelley (The Practice); Steven Bochco (Hill Street Blues); Alan Alda (M*A*S*H); Horton
Foote (William Faulkner's OLD MAN); Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List); Tim Robbins
(Dead Man Walking); Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting); Aaron Sorkin
(Sports Night, The West Wing), and Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count on Me).
For more information, please visit the HUMANITAS Prize website at
www.humanitasprize.org.
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