Humanitas Prizes 2026: Celebrating Transformative Storytelling with Winnie Holzman and Ashley Nicole Black
Winnie Holzman, the creator of "My So-Called Life" and writer of "Wicked," has been selected to receive the prestigious Kieser Award from Humanitas. The organization also announced that writer/comedian Ashley Nicole Black will host this year's Humanitas Prizes Award Show & Toast. The event, sponsored by Starz, will take place on September 9 at Avalon Hollywood. The Humanitas Prize recognizes writers in film and television who explore the human condition in a meaningful way, with winners receiving a trophy and cash prize.
The nominees for this year's Humanitas Prizes include writers from various categories such as Drama Teleplay, Comedy Teleplay, Limited Series Teleplay, Children's Teleplay, Drama Feature, Comedy Feature, Family Feature, Short Film, Documentary (Feature), and Documentary (Docuseries, Single Episode). The awards ceremony will also announce the 2026 New Voices Fellows, College Screenwriting Awards, and Starz #TakeTheLead Award.
Winnie Holzman, known for her work on "My So-Called Life" and "Wicked," will be honored with the Kieser Award, which recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to creating transformative stories that celebrate our common humanity. Past recipients of the award include Greg Berlanti, Marta Kauffman, and John Ridley. Holzman's work has resonated with audiences grappling with themes of coming of age and identity.
The Starz #TakeTheLead Award, presented at the Humanitas Prizes, aims to amplify narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences. Starz has been a generous supporter of Humanitas, particularly through the New Voices Fellowship. The event will also reveal the winners of the 2026 New Voices Fellowship, David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Award, and Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Award.
The Humanitas Prizes Awards Show & Toast serves as a platform to raise financial support for programs like the New Voices Fellowship, College Screenwriting Awards, Industry 101 event series, and The Writers Room program for high school students. The event celebrates the work of talented writers and creators who bring meaningful stories to life on screen.
Ashley Nicole Black, known for her work on "Ted Lasso" and "Shrinking," will host this year's Humanitas Prizes Award Show & Toast. Her contributions to the industry reflect a commitment to storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences and amplifies underrepresented voices.