If you go to the official website for the USC Libraries Scripter Awards you will be met with the following description of the respected award:
Established in 1988, the USC Libraries Scripter Award is an honor bestowed annually by the Friends of the USC Libraries in recognition of the best film adaptation of a book or novella, and is given to both the author and screenwriter.
Last year Iron Man was nominated as comic books were included in that description, which is understandable, but this year the rule bends a little further as material adapted from a previous script is included allowing Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell’s script for District 9 to make the final five. Before District 9 was a feature film it was the short film Alive in Joburg you see to the right.
The nominations as announced in today’s press release include:
- Crazy Heart – Fox Searchlight Pictures
Scott Cooper, screenwriter
Thomas Cobb, author - District 9 – Tri-Star Pictures
Neill Blomkamp, screenwriter and author
Terri Tatchell, screenwriter - An Education – Sony Pictures Classics
Nick Hornby, screenwriter
Lynn Barber, author - Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire – Lionsgate
Geoffrey Fletcher, screenwriter
Sapphire, author - Up in the Air – Paramount Pictures
Jason Reitman, screenwriter
Sheldon Turner, screenwriter
Walter Kirn, author
Personally I think it’s silly to be so limiting in the first place, but if your award is based on a specific set of rules is it really necessary to change the rules just to get a little additional publicity?
