By Valerie Milano
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/15/25 – The 77th Annual Writers Guild Awards took place tonight on February 15, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, honoring excellence in writing across film, television, news, and digital media. Held simultaneously in Los Angeles and New York, the event recognized the creative minds shaping the entertainment industry.
Big Wins in Film Categories
The Best Original Screenplay award went to Anora, reinforcing its dominance this awards season after previous wins at the Producers Guild Awards and Directors Guild Awards. With this latest victory, Anora is seen as a strong contender at the Academy Awards.
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In the Best Adapted Screenplay category, Nickel Boys took home the prize. Written by RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, the screenplay—based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel—was also recognized with the Paul Selvin Award, which honors scripts that highlight civil rights and liberties. RaMell accepted the award tonight.
Television and Streaming Standouts
This year’s television nominations featured an array of high-profile series, with Prime Video’s Fallout and Mr. & Mrs. Smith leading the pack. Both received nods for Best Drama Series, Best New Series, and Best Episodic Drama. Other major contenders included The Boys, Abbott Elementary, and What We Do in the Shadows.
In the Comedy/Variety category, familiar names like The Daily Show and Saturday Night Live were among the nominees, highlighting the ongoing impact of late-night and sketch comedy writing.
Honoring Industry Legends
Beyond competitive categories, the Writers Guild of America honored industry veterans with special awards:
- Scott Frank received the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement, recognizing his extensive contributions to screenwriting, directing, and producing.
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Vince Gilligan poses in the press room during the 2025 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles Ceremony at The Beverly Hilton on Feb. 15. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Writers Guild of America West) Vince Gilligan, known for his work on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, was honored with the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement.
- David Lynch was posthumously awarded the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, having accepted the honor shortly before his passing in January 2025.
Recognition in News and Radio
The awards also celebrated excellence in news and radio writing. Programs like 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, and Ayman were recognized for their in-depth reporting and storytelling. In the audio storytelling category, podcasts such as One Year: 1990, Serial Killers, and Slow Burn earned top honors.
A Night to Remember
The 2025 Writers Guild Awards highlighted the exceptional talent of writers across all media, reinforcing their vital role in shaping stories that inspire, entertain, and inform audiences worldwide. As award season progresses, the winners and nominees of the WGA Awards will continue to set the stage for upcoming honors, including the Oscars and Emmys.
