Fox Searchlight's 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' a Finalist for Humanitas Prize for Social Messaging
21st Century Fox Social Impact
On January 7, the organization Humanitas announced the finalists for the 41st Annual Humanitas Prize, a prestigious award that honors film and television writers whose work demonstrates effective social messaging and inspires compassion, hope, and understanding. Jesse Andrews, writer of Fox Searchlight's Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, is among the finalists in the Sundance Feature Film category.
"I am proud to honor each and every 2016 Humanitas finalist," said Executive Director Cathleen Young. "Their stories begin with thoughts and words--linked, appended, trimmed--sometimes destroyed and recreated--before they are shared on stage or screen. Thanks to their skill and passion, these stories allow us to step out into new worlds or into someone else's shoes. I have to believe that makes the world a better place."
In total, 38 writers will compete across 10 categories for $225,000 in prize money, to be distributed at a ceremony on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the Directors Guild of America headquarters in Los Angeles. Misan Sagay, writer of Fox Searchlight's Belle, and Cindy Chupack, a writer and co-executive producer on Twentieth Century Fox Television's Modern Family, will serve as presenters.
"If you speak to anyone who works in the industry, they will tell you everything comes back to great writing," said Humanitas President Ali LeRoi. "It takes not only great talent, but great vision, drive, perseverance, and bravery to write truly groundbreaking stories. It is a privilege to shine a light on these artists, a light we hope helps lift them through the dark beginnings and allows them to see the value of their visions."
The prize was founded in 1974 as a means of recognizing the powerful effects that film and television can have on audiences. Previous Fox winners include John Ridley for 12 Years a Slave, Alex Gansa and Meredith Stiehm for Homeland, Alibar and Benh Zeitlin for Beasts of the Southern Wild, Ryan Murphy for Glee, David Shore for House, and Elaine Ko and Steve Levitan for Modern Family.
