By admin 
The prestigious Humanitas Prizes are set to celebrate a cohort of talented writers next month, with "The Witcher" Season 5 co-producer and "The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep" cowriter, Rae Benjamin, being the distinguished recipient of this year’s Starz #TakeTheLead award. This significant recognition, unveiled alongside a host of other honors, underscores Benjamin’s commitment to amplifying narratives that resonate with and represent women and underrepresented audiences. The awards show and toast, a beacon for impactful storytelling, will also see Benjamin presented with her award by the esteemed screenwriter and producer Russell T. Davies, known for his groundbreaking work on "Doctor Who," "Queer As Folk," and "Years and Years."
The Starz #TakeTheLead award is specifically designed to identify and uplift "mid-career writers" who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the storytelling landscape. Benjamin’s selection is a testament to her "distinctive voice and fearless approach to storytelling," as articulated by Kathryn Busby, Starz’s original programming president. Busby further elaborated on Benjamin’s profound impact, stating, "We were equally impressed by her commitment to supporting emerging voices through her organization, In The Cut, which reflects the spirit of #TakeTheLead and Starz’s commitment to elevating underrepresented storytellers. Rae’s talent, curiosity, and commitment to meaningful storytelling will take her far, and it’s easy to see why she was selected as this year’s Starz #TakeTheLead Award recipient." This accolade comes with a substantial $10,000 cash prize and invaluable mentorship from Starz executives, providing Benjamin with the resources and guidance to further her impactful career.
Benjamin’s dedication to her craft and her community is further exemplified by her proactive involvement in nurturing new talent. Through her organization, In The Cut, she has actively sought to create opportunities for and amplify the voices of those often marginalized in the entertainment industry. This aligns perfectly with the core mission of both Humanitas and Starz, organizations that are deeply invested in championing innovative storytelling that goes beyond superficial representation. Benjamin herself expressed her deep connection to these values, stating, "Through my writing, volunteer work with emerging artists, and company, In the Cut, it’s been my goal to create expansive and positive representation for marginalized communities. Humanitas and Starz are both organizations that go beyond the mere checkbox of inclusion for its own sake, but truly champion innovative storytelling." The financial award from the #TakeTheLead prize will be instrumental in supporting her upcoming short film, which will delve into the critical and often under-explored subject of Black maternal health, a powerful indication of her commitment to using her platform for social impact.
The Starz #TakeTheLead award program, in its essence, seeks to identify writers who are not only skilled storytellers but also passionate advocates for a more equitable and diverse media landscape. This year’s selection committee was faced with a competitive pool of talented individuals, with notable finalists including Autumn Jimerson ("Forever"), William Yu ("The ‘Burbs"), Melody Cooper ("Power Book IV: Force"), Jonathon Roessler ("My Life with the Walter Boys"), and Sylvia Alcalá ("A Man on the Inside"). The inclusion of these diverse writers in the finalist round highlights the growing recognition of the importance of varied perspectives in shaping compelling narratives.
Beyond the Starz #TakeTheLead award, the Humanitas Prizes are celebrating a range of achievements and nurturing the next generation of storytellers. As previously announced, Winnie Holzman, the visionary creator of "My So-Called Life," will receive the prestigious Kieser Award. Holzman’s contributions to television, particularly her ability to craft nuanced and relatable characters that explored the complexities of adolescence, have left an indelible mark on the industry. Her honor will be presented by Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, executive producers of "Thirtysomething," who played a pivotal role in Holzman’s early career by hiring her as a writer for their show and later serving as executive producers on "My So-Called Life." This retrospective acknowledgment of Holzman’s impact speaks to the enduring power of authentic storytelling and the importance of recognizing foundational figures in the industry.
The Humanitas Prizes are also actively investing in the future of screenwriting through their New Voices Fellows program. For the 2026-27 cycle, the chosen fellows are Christina Ingraldi, Leon Lee, Alana Saab, Finn Wagstaff, and Keith Walker. This six-month mentorship program is meticulously designed to provide early-career television and screenwriters with invaluable guidance, pairing them with established writers for one-on-one mentorship. In addition to this personalized support, each fellow will receive a $7,500 stipend, along with other crucial benefits aimed at fostering their professional development. Emmylou Diaz, a respected writer, will serve as the Program Advisor for this esteemed fellowship, lending her expertise to guide the selected writers. The New Voices program is a critical component of Humanitas’s mission to cultivate diverse talent, recognizing that the industry’s future depends on nurturing fresh perspectives and providing a supportive environment for emerging artists to hone their craft.
Adding another layer to their commitment to artist development, Humanitas has also announced the winners of their College Screenwriting Awards. Omid Iranikhah has been recognized with the David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Award, while Lauryn Bedford has received the Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Award. These awards are not merely symbolic; they come with a significant $20,000 cash prize for each recipient and the invaluable opportunity for a script notes session with a professional writer. The presentation of these artist development awards will be handled by Humanitas program alumni Lauren Goodman ("Snowfall") and Hayley Tibbenham ("Dutton Ranch"), further illustrating the interconnectedness and supportive nature of the Humanitas community. The substantial cash prizes serve to alleviate financial burdens, allowing these promising young writers to dedicate more time and resources to their creative pursuits.
Furthermore, in a significant move to bridge the gap between emerging talent and industry professionals, Humanitas has launched an innovative partnership connecting its New Voice Fellows with managers from Echo Lake Entertainment. This collaboration aims to provide fellows with direct access to industry gatekeepers, facilitating an educational exchange that can illuminate pathways for their careers. Michelle Franke, Executive Director of Humanitas, emphasized the profound significance of this initiative, stating, "At its heart, this partnership reflects a shared belief that developing writers require mentorship, community, and access to people invested in their growth. We are grateful to Echo Lake Entertainment for working with Humanitas to equip the next generation of writers exploring the human condition in their work by helping to illuminate pathways for their stories." This sentiment was echoed by Amy Schiffman, a partner at Echo Lake Entertainment, who added, "We’re proud to be teaming up with Humanitas for this important initiative to support emerging writers. We envision this partnership as benefiting our management team as well as the New Voices Fellows." This reciprocal relationship highlights a mutual understanding of the value of cultivating talent and the potential for growth that such collaborations offer.
The culmination of these recognitions and development programs will be the Humanitas Prizes Awards Show & Toast, scheduled to take place on September 9th at Avalon Hollywood. The evening will be expertly hosted by the talented writer, actor, and comedian Ashley Nicole Black, promising an engaging and inspiring celebration of exceptional storytelling and the individuals who are shaping the future of the industry. The Humanitas Prizes, through their multifaceted approach of honoring established talent, supporting emerging voices, and fostering crucial industry connections, continue to solidify their position as a vital organization dedicated to the art and impact of humanistic storytelling. The selection of Rae Benjamin for the Starz #TakeTheLead award is a powerful affirmation of her significant contributions and a promising indicator of the diverse and impactful narratives that will continue to emerge from her creative endeavors.
