‘Sunshine’ glows at WGA Awards
“Little Miss Sunshine,” the dark comedy about a dysfunctional family, and “The Departed,” a visceral gangster epic, won the top feature prizes at the 59th annual Writers Guild of America Awards on Sunday.
Michael Arndt received the original screenplay honor for “Little Miss Sunshine,” also nominated for several Oscars, including best film and screenplay. It was his second win of the night -- he also won the best original screenplay prize from the British Academy Film Awards.
William Monahan was chosen for his adapted screenplay for “The Departed,” which is based upon the Hong Kong motion picture “Infernal Affairs.” The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, is also one of the contenders for top Oscars, including best film, director and screenplay.
Receiving the WGA Award isn’t necessarily an Oscar prognosticator, although last year’s top WGA Award winners, “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crash,” went on to receive Academy Awards in the screenplay writing categories.
The awards took place simultaneously at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre in New York.
Other winners in film and TV categories included:
Documentary screenplay: “Deliver Us From Evil.”
Dramatic series: HBO’s “The Sopranos.”
Comedy series: NBC’s “The Office.”Episodic drama: HBO’s “Pilot (Big Love).”
Animation: Fox’s “The Italian Bob (The Simpsons).”
New series: ABC’s “Ugly Betty.”
Long form original: A&E;’s “Flight 93.”
Episodic comedy: NBC’s “Casino Night (The Office).”
Daytime serials: CBS’ “As the World Turns.”
Children’s episodic and specials: Nickelodeon’s “Just for Kicks.”
Comedy/variety specials: PBS’ “The National Memorial Day Concert.”
Comedy/variety series: NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
For the full list of winners, go to TheEnvelope.com.
