Celebrating the storytellers: Humanitas Prize 2024 winners
The Humanitas Prize ceremony, held at Avalon Hollywood, honored the creative minds behind some of the most compelling narratives in TV, film, and documentaries. This year, the event celebrated its 50th anniversary, recognizing writers who explore the human condition in nuanced and meaningful ways.
A night of recognition and reflection
Ava DuVernay, the acclaimed filmmaker behind “Origin,” took home the award for drama feature. Reflecting on the journey, she remarked, ”We actually got something, friends. We went through that whole awards gauntlet, and then this popped up in the summer. They’re doing something different. This award show is about doing something with this medium that matters. Yes, entertainment matters, but we have such a powerful voice, such a powerful platform. So I commend everyone that’s trying to say something.”
Honoring excellence in television
Max’s “Hacks” Season 3 episode “Yes, And” (written by Samantha Riley, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs) was recognized for TV comedy teleplay. Meanwhile, Hulu’s “Black Cake” episode “Nine Night” (written by Marissa Jo Cerar) won for TV drama teleplay, and Showtime’s “Fellow Travelers” (written by Anya Leta) clinched the limited series teleplay prize for the episode “Your Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire.”
Notable winners in television
- Drama Teleplay: “Black Cake” (“Nine Night”) — Marissa Jo Cerar
- Comedy Teleplay: “Hacks” (“Yes, And”) — Samantha Riley, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, Paul W. Downs
- Limited Series Teleplay: “Fellow Travelers” (“Your Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire”) — Anya Leta
Celebrating cinematic achievements
The ceremony also highlighted achievements in film. Gavin Steckler won the comedy feature award for “Jules,” while Andrea Nevins and Graham Clark were recognized for their documentary “The Cowboy and the Queen.”
Notable winners in film
- Drama Feature Film: “Origin” — Ava DuVernay
- Comedy Feature Film: “Jules” — Gavin Steckler
- Documentary: “The Cowboy and the Queen” — Andrea Nevins, Graham Clark
A night of humor and camaraderie
Actors and writers June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer hosted the event, bringing a touch of humor to the proceedings. Scheer quipped, “You have all spent countless hours crafting and collaborating on something that Taylor Sheridan can do, apparently, in ten minutes.” Raphael added, “Tonight, we honor the most talented writers who did not have their passion projects shelved by David Zaslav for tax purposes.”
Supporting new voices and future talents
The ceremony also presented the 2024 New Voices Fellowship, the David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Award, and the Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Award. The new Starz #TakeTheLead Award was given to “Snowfall” writer Jeanine Daniels.
Additional winners
- Children’s Teleplay: “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (“Ride or Die”) — Halima Lucas
- Family Feature Film: “Nimona” — Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor
- Short Film: “The Ballad of Tita and the Machines” — Luis Antonio Aldana, Miguel Angel Caballero
A platform for meaningful storytelling
The Humanitas Prize ceremony not only celebrates the achievements of established writers but also raises support for programs like the New Voices Fellowship, College Screenwriting Awards, and initiatives such as “Industry 101”, “The Writers Room” for high school students, and the “Groceries for Writers” project.
In a world where storytelling shapes our understanding of humanity, the Humanitas Prize continues to honor those who use their craft to make a difference.