Writers behind a pair of original premium-cable-channel films were among the
winners of this year's Humanitas Prize, announced Tuesday afternoon in Los
Angeles.
The Laramie Project, Home Box Office's adaptation of the acclaimed
off-Broadway play depicting community reaction to the murder of gay student
Matthew Shepard, was cited in the cable achievement category. Writer-director
Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Company will share $25,000
for the Humanitas honor.
Showtime was recognized in the children's live-action arena for My
Louisiana Sky, one of the channel's 'Original Pictures for All Ages'
presentations. Anna Sandor will take home $10,000 for her script. Sky won
several Daytime Emmy Awards two months ago.
Also, Balto II: Wolf Quest -- a made-for-home-video sequel to
theatrical feature Balto, which had its television premiere on Cartoon
Network -- won in the children's-animation category. A $10,000 prize will go to
writer Dev Ross.
The Humanitas Prizes, created in 1974, honor TV and motion-picture writing
that explores the human experience and affirms positive life values.
Many cable programs have been among the almost 200 projects recognized over
the years, with more than $2 million in prize money awarded over that span.
Cable finalists in this year's competition included episodes of Band of
Brothers (HBO), State of Grace (ABC Family) and Harold and the
Purple Crayon (HBO Family), along with made-for films Sins of the
Father (FX) and Within These Walls (Lifetime
Television).
