"Freedom Writers" writer-director Richard LaGravenese and "Venus" writer Hanif Kureishi recently were honored as feature film Humanitas prize tie winners at a Hilton Universal Hotel ceremony attended by more than 350 writers, directors, producers and entertainment executives.

The 33rd annual luncheon event awarded 12 writers a share of $145,000 in prize money for films and television shows that "entertain, engage and enrich the viewing public." Legendary "MASH" television show writer, Larry Gelbart, was also honored at the ceremony with the "Kieser Award," named after the late Humanitas Prize founder, producer and priest, Father Ellwood "Bud" Kieser.

"At Humanitas, we honor writers who try to tell the truth about the human condition," said Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, president of the Humanitas Prize, at the beginning of the awards ceremony June 26. "Audiences know when they're getting the real thing… [Larry's] show MASH told the truth about war. He was an inspiration when he wrote MASH, and he is an inspiration today."

Humanitas Executive Director Cathleen Young added, "At Humanitas, our business is making writers know just how important they are. We do it with our words and with our money."

The 2007 winners included:

Feature Film Category: (tie) "Freedom Writers," screenplay by Richard LaGravenese (Paramount Pictures); "Venus," written by Hanif Kureishi (Miramax Films).
90 Minute Category: "Longford," written by Peter Morgan (HBO Films)
60 Minute Category: "There Are No Angels Here" written by R. Scott Gemmill & David Zabel (NBC).
30 Minute Category: The New Adventures of Old Christine: "Oh God, Yes," written by Jennifer Crittenden (CBS).
Children's Animation Category: Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks: "The Gift," written by Sindy McKay, Dennis Haley & Marcy Brown (PBS).
Children's Live Action Category: "Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front," teleplay by Anna Sandor (Disney Channel).
Sundance Feature Film Category: "Where God Left His Shoes," written by Salvatore Stabile.

The David and Lynn Angell Fellowship in Comedy Writing: Jonny Mais, University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts Spec script of WEEDS: "Pot Chocolate."

Since its inception in 1974, the Humanitas Prize has dispersed over $2.8 million in prize money to television and motion picture writers, whose work honestly explores the complexities of the human experience and sheds light on the positive values of life. For more information, log on to the Humanitas website at www.humanitasprize.org.