Screenwriters Nancy Oliver ("Lars and the Real Girl") and Ronald Harwood ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly") were honored Sept. 17 as feature film winners of the Humanitas Prize at the 34th annual ceremony attended by more than 400 entertainment industry professionals.

Kirk Ellis, who wrote "Part 1" of the HBO television mini-series "John Adams," was also among the winners in ten categories announced during the luncheon event at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

In his keynote address, new Humanitas Prize president John Wells outlined a new vision for the future of the award, founded in 1974 by the late Paulist Father Ellwood "Bud" Keiser to recognize film and television writing that explores the human condition, affirms individual and collective dignity and reveals people's common humanity.

"Humanitas has encouraged, honored and supported writers who have had the courage to tackle the most difficult issues of our time [and] write about the struggle to bring hope, generosity, freedom, compassion, empathy, dignity and understanding into our lives," said Wells, a multiple Emmy-winning writer.

As it enters its 35th year, he noted, Humanitas seeks to expand its mission to further empower writers. Plans are underway to establish a Script Development Fund as well as a "Humanitas Presents" franchise to develop and produce programming that uplifts the human spirit.

"We want to help develop projects that can be produced for television rather than just awarding other projects," explained Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, former Humanitas president now serving as chairman of the board. Father Desiderio, who has been an executive producer for television movies and documentary projects, will continue to help with Humanitas' many new initiatives.

"There's absolutely no other recognition for works that aspire to reach a common humanity," said Oliver shortly after receiving her feature film award for "Lars and the Real Girl." "This award means more to me than anything, more than any one this whole season."

When asked why she thinks her film resonates with audiences, she replied, "The movie is about kindness and compassion and there are very few human beings who can't connect with that --- Thank God."

In addition to the film awards, the 2008 winners also included:

---90-Minute Category: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," written by Daniel Giat.

---60 Minute Category: "John Adams" (Part 1), written by Kirk Ellis.

---30 Minute Category: "Scrubs" ("My Long Goodbye"), written by Dave Tennant.

---Children's Animation Category: "My Friends Tigger & Pooh" ("Eeyore's Sad Day"), written by Brian Hohlfeld.

---Children's Live Action Category: "Johnny Kapahala" ("Back On Board"), written by Ann Austen, Douglas Sloan, Max Enscoe and Annie DeYoung (teleplay); Ann Austen & Douglas Sloan (story).

---Sundance Feature Film Category: "A Raisin in the Sun," written by Paris Qualles.

---Documentary Award: "Young@Heart," Stephen Walker, director.

---David & Lynn Angell Fellowship in Comedy Writing: "McKellar Hall," written by Nik Blahunka & Marcy Holland.

---Humanitas Student Drama Fellowship: House: "Witch Is It?" written by Katherine F. Lovejoy.

Over the past three decades, more than $2.8 million in prize money has been awarded to television and film writers whose work explores the complexities of the human experience and sheds light on the positive values of life. For more information, visit the Humanitas website: www.humanitasprize.org.