The Writers Guild Awards (WGA) honoured some of the year’s most acclaimed film and television scripts during a ceremony held in New York on Sunday night.
Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror film ‘Sinners’ won the award for best original screenplay, while ‘One Battle After Another’, written by Paul Thomas Anderson, received the prize for best adapted screenplay.
On the television side, the medical drama ‘The Pitt’ secured two major awards, winning both best drama series and best new series. The comedy ‘The Studio’ was named best comedy series.
The event was hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr. and took place in New York as the only ceremony this year. Traditionally the Writers Guild of America holds parallel events in New York and Los Angeles. However, the Writers Guild of America West cancelled its show earlier this month because staff members remain on strike.
The Writers Guild Staff Union, which began its strike on February 17, is calling for higher wages and stronger protections in employee disciplinary procedures.
One of the evening’s notable moments came when television host and comedian Stephen Colbert accepted the Walter Bernstein Award. The honour recognises a guild member who demonstrates creativity, courage and commitment to confronting social injustice.
During his speech, Colbert reflected on the recent cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which will end on May 21 after 11 seasons. CBS said the decision was driven by financial pressures and changes within the television industry. The move also comes as the network’s former parent company, Paramount Global, moves forward with a merger involving Skydance Media.
Colbert used the moment to share several jokes that had previously been cut from the programme, including some referencing US President Donald Trump. After one joke drew mixed reactions from the audience, he remarked that the response illustrated why it had not been included in the broadcast.
The host also expressed gratitude to his writing team, encouraging others in the industry to consider hiring them once the programme concludes. He said working with the group had been a deeply rewarding experience and acknowledged the creative energy that writers bring to television production.
The WGA celebrate excellence in writing across film, television and new media, recognising the creative work behind many of the year’s most prominent productions.
