34th HUMANITAS Prize Announces Winners

Incoming Humanitas Prize President John Wells Defines New Vision

http://www.humanitasprize.org

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17 -- New HUMANITAS Prize President and multiple Emmy winner, John Wells, today announced this year's winners of the HUMANITAS prize at the annual luncheon in the Crystal Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Writers in ten categories shared $95,000 in prize money, with the feature film award ending in a surprise tie. Since 1974, HUMANITAS has honored feature film and television writing that explores the human condition, affirms our individual and collective dignity, and reveals our common humanity.

At the luncheon, HUMANITAS Executive Director Cathleen Young introduced new HUMANITAS Prize President John Wells (HUMANITAS Prize winner for The West Wing). He is taking over for Frank Desiderio, C.S.P., who has been president of the HUMANITAS Prize since 2000. Desiderio will become chairman of the board, but he will continue in many of his current duties. In addition to his work for HUMANITAS, Desiderio has served as executive producer for both made for television movies and documentary projects.

Wells outlined a new vision for the future for HUMANITAS and spoke of the HUMANITAS Script Development Fund, the "HUMANITAS Presents" franchise and the new partnership with 826 National. 826 National, designed to nurture the next generation of talent, was co-founded by Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and teacher, Ninive Calegari.

Also announced was The Hollywood Reporter's commitment to funding a new HUMANITAS documentary award ($5,000 prize). The Documentary Award's first HUMANITAS Prize winner is Young@Heart. John Wells introduced Hollywood Reporter Publisher Eric Mika, who presented the award along with Davis Guggenheim (HUMANITAS Prize Winner - An Inconvenient Truth) to Fox Searchlight's Tony Stafford.

The 2008 HUMANITAS Prize winners are:

Feature Film Category ($10,000) -- TIE

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY Written by: Ronald Harwood -- ($5,000)

For its deeply powerful depiction of a man struggling to overcome a devastating illness and its subtle exploration of the power of imagination and the strength of the human will.

LARS AND THE REAL GIRL Written by: Nancy Oliver -- ($5,000)

For its sensitive, nuanced and comedic portrayal of a shy young man struggling to connect with his fellow human beings by purchasing a sex doll over the Internet.

90 Minute Category ($10,000)

BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE Written by: Daniel Giat

For its intricately woven tale of a doctor, a Lakota chief and a U.S. Senator in the midst of the bloody Sioux victory over General Custer at Little Big Horn.

60 Minute Category ($10,000)

JOHN ADAMS: "Part 1" Written by: Kirk Ellis

For the unique American love story of a man and his wife during the birth of the American Republic and its first 50 years.

30 Minute Category ($10,000)

SCRUBS: "My Long Goodbye" Written by: Dave Tennant

For its comedic, but deeply moving depiction of the end of a life and the process of grieving that follows a loss.

Children's Animation Category ($10,000)

MY FRIENDS TIGGER & POOH: "Eeyore's Sad Day" Written by: Brian Hohlfeld

For building on a beloved and classic tale of overcoming sadness in the face of life's adversities.

Children's Live Action Category ($10,000)

JOHNNY KAPAHALA: "Back On Board" Written by: Ann Austen, Douglas Sloan, Max Enscoe & Annie DeYoung (teleplay); Ann Austen & Douglas Sloan (story)

For its portrayal of a family reunion set against the waves of Hawaii and the struggles of teens to find their way.

Sundance Feature Film Category ($10,000)

A RAISIN IN THE SUN Written by: Paris Qualles

For its passionate and deeply moving depiction of a family struggling with poverty, racism and the scars of having one's hopes and dreams constantly deferred.

The Documentary Award ($5,000)

YOUNG@HEART Stephen Walker

For its rousing, musical and irreverent production of a traveling chorus made up of octogenarians and its belief that we are never too old to learn and rediscover joy.

The David & Lynn Angell Fellowship in Comedy Writing ($10,000)

MCKELLAR HALL: Written by: Nik Blahunka & Marcy Holland

The HUMANITAS Student Drama Fellowship ($10,000)

HOUSE: "Witch Is It" Written by: Katherine F. Lovejoy