The finalists for the 2007 Humanitas Prize were announced today. The Humanitas recognizes excellence in TV and movie writing, with a focus on the positive and uplifting.  Previous winners have included Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco (Crash); Greg Garcia (My Name is Earl); Keir Pearson & Terry George (Hotel Rwanda); Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Lackawanna Blues); Michael Kang (The Motel); John Wells (The West Wing); Tony Kushner (Angels in America); Antwone Fisher (Antwone Fisher); Niki Caro (Whale Rider); David E. Kelley (The Practice); Steven Bochco (Hill Street Blues); Alan Alda (M*A*S*H); Horton Foote (William Faulkner's OLD MAN); Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List); Tim Robbins (Dead Man Walking); Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting); Aaron Sorkin (Sports Night, The West Wing), and Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count on Me).

The finalists are competing for $145,000 in prize money.  In addition to the prizes, writer Larry Gelbart will receive the 2007 Kieser Award, which "recognizes an individual whose work promotes a deeper appreciation for the dignity of each member of the human family.
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The HUMANITAS Prize finalists are:

Feature Film Category ($25,000)

AMAZING GRACE

Written by: Steven Knight (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions)

FREEDOM WRITERS

Screenplay by: Richard LaGravenese (Paramount Pictures)

VENUS

Written by: Hanif Kureishi (Miramax Films)

90 Minute Category ($25,000)

LONGFORD

Written by: Peter Morgan (HBO Films)

TSUNAMI, THE AFTERMATH - Part II

Written by: Abi Morgan (HBO Films)

WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY

Written by: Nancey Silvers (Lifetime)

60 Minute Category ($15,000)

ER: “There Are No Angels Here”

Written by: R. Scott Gemmill & David Zabel (NBC)

HOUSE: “House vs. God”

Written by: Doris Egan (FOX)

THE WEST WING: “Election Day - Part II”

Written by: Eli Attie & John Wells (NBC)

30 Minute Category ($10,000)

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE: “Oh God, Yes”

Written by: Jennifer Crittenden (CBS)

SCRUBS: “My Fallen Idol”

Written by: Bill Callahan (NBC)

THE WAR AT HOME: “Kenny Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”

Written by: Rob Lotterstein (FOX)

Children's Animation Category ($25,000)

JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS: “The Gift”

Written by: Sindy McKay, Dennis Haley & Marcy Brown (PBS)

MAYA & MIGUEL: “Give Me A Little Sign”

Written by: Evelina Fernandez (PBS)

MISS SPIDER’S SUNNY PATCH FRIENDS: “The Prince, the Princess and the Bee”

Written by: Nadine van der Velde (Nick, Jr.)

Children's Live Action Category ($25,000)

JUMP IN!

Written by: Doreen Spicer and Regina Hicks & Karin Gist (Disney Channel)

MOLLY: An American on the Home Front

Teleplay by: Anna Sandor (Disney Channel)

Sundance Feature Film Category ($10,000)

EZRA

Written by: Newton I. Aduaka & Alain-Michel Blanc, Story by: Newton I. Aduaka

WAITRESS

Written by: Adrienne Shelly (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES

Written by: Salvatore Stabile

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

JONNY MAIS

University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts for spec script of WEEDS: “Pot Chocolate”