Writers Celebrate WGA’s New Contract at 2023 Humanitas Prizes Toast
variety.comBreAnna Bell The drinks were flowing and the guests were energized with a renewed sense of promise as writers gathered to celebrate their Humanitas wins as well as a new deal with the AMPTP at the Humanitas Prizes Toast on Thursday night.
Held almost one month after the WGA ratified its new contract officially ending the summer-long writers strike, this year’s event was moved from its usual hotel ballroom location to Hollywood nightclub Avalon, out of respect for the Local 11 Unite Here hotel workers who remain on strike for fair and livable wages — a cause that all in the room shouted their support for once announced on stage by co-MCs Lennon Parham and Jessica St.
Clair. The Humanitas board announced this year’s crop of winners in August (instead of the usual live reveal onstage), which included “The Last of Us” writer Craig Mazin, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, Tyler Perry, Cooper Raiff, Guillermo del Toro and Patrick McHale, Hernan Barangan, Sabina Vajrača, and Ondi Timoner.
Perry and Sherman-Palladino were absent from the night’s celebration amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. WGA West president Meredith Stiehm and Michael Winship, outgoing WGA East president, accepted the 2023 Voices for Change Award on behalf of the WGA as the organization was recognized for its dedication to push a new deal favoring higher wages and sustainable workplace operations.
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