What Is 20th Writers Guild of America Awards

Overview

The 20th Writers Guild of America Awards celebrated the best in writing across film, television, and radio for the year 1967. Held in 1968, the ceremony highlighted exceptional storytelling and scriptwriting talent during a transformative era in American media.

These awards are among the most prestigious in the entertainment industry, often serving as a predictor for the Academy Awards. The 1968 ceremony reflected the growing influence of television and the continued importance of screenwriting in shaping cultural narratives.

• Best Original Screenplay went to In the Heat of the Night, written by Stirling Silliphant, a film that tackled racial tensions in the American South.
• Best Adapted Screenplay was awarded to The Graduate, adapted by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry from the novel by Charles Webb.
• The Best Drama Anthology award recognized the ABC Stage 67 episode 'Shadow Game,' showcasing high-quality television writing.
• Ernest Lehman received a special Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, honoring his contributions to films like West Side Story and North by Northwest.
• The Best Comedy Series award went to The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, reflecting its bold, socially conscious humor during a turbulent political era.

How It Works

The Writers Guild of America Awards are determined by peer voting among WGA members, ensuring recognition from fellow professional writers.

• Eligibility Period: Works must have been first aired or released between January 1 and December 31, 1967 to qualify for the 20th awards.
• Voting Membership: Only active members of the Writers Guild of America, East and West are eligible to vote in their respective categories.
• Category Submission: Writers or studios submit entries into specific genres, including drama, comedy, documentary, and episodic television.
• Nomination Process: A preliminary ballot is distributed to members, with the top five vote-getters advancing to the final round.
• Final Ballot: Final voting determines the winner in each category, with results kept confidential until the ceremony.
• Award Categories: The 20th edition included film, TV, news, and radio, reflecting the breadth of writing disciplines recognized by the WGA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key winners from the 20th WGA Awards with other major honors of the time:

The WGA Awards often align with the Oscars, especially in screenplay categories. However, television and radio writing receive more emphasis at the WGA, making it a broader and more inclusive recognition of writing excellence across media platforms.

Why It Matters

The 20th Writers Guild of America Awards underscore the critical role of writers in shaping entertainment and public discourse. These awards not only honor individual achievement but also reflect the evolving themes and concerns of American society in the late 1960s.

• Historical Significance: The 1968 ceremony captured a pivotal moment in U.S. history, with writing addressing civil rights, war, and social change.
• Industry Influence: Winning a WGA Award often boosts a writer’s career and increases visibility for their projects.
• Cultural Reflection: Shows like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour pushed boundaries, using satire to critique government and media.
• Screenplay Legacy:The Graduate and In the Heat of the Night remain influential, studied in film schools worldwide.
• Union Advocacy: The WGA uses the awards to promote fair pay, credit, and working conditions for writers across media.
• Prestige Factor: The WGA Awards are considered a key indicator for Oscar success, especially in writing categories.

By honoring excellence in writing, the 20th WGA Awards helped cement the importance of the writer’s voice in shaping both entertainment and cultural dialogue during a transformative decade.