Writers Guild Names Their 2011 Nominations

The Writers Guild of America has announced their nominations for the best screenplays of 2010. Like theProducers Guild nominations, these specialized lists are typically an excellent bellwether for Oscar enthusiasts (or gamblers). However, it’s important to note that critically acclaimed films likeToy Story 3,The King’s Speech, Winter’s Bone,Never Let Me Go,Biutiful, andHow to Train Your Dragonwere deemed ineligible by the guild for various reasons.

I’m surprised to see a nod forThe Social Network, not because it’s not a brilliant piece of work by Aaron Sorkin, but because he gave the guild a solid drubbing at a recentround table discussionwith a few other notable screenwriters. It’s also strange to seeI Love You Phillip Morrisreceiving any kind of awards consideration, especially in an extremely competitive year of great screenplays.

The WGA winners will be announced February 5, 2011 during simultaneous ceremonies in both New York and Los Angeles. Both the“Original Screenplay” and“Adapted Screenplay” categories have matched the Academy Awards 11 out of the last 16 years.

Original Screenplay

Black Swan, Screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin; Story by Andres Heinz; Fox Searchlight
The Fighter, Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy& Eric Johnson; Story by Keith Dorrington& Paul Tamasy& Eric Johnson; Paramount Pictures
Inception, Written by Christopher Nolan; Warner Bros.
The Kids Are All Right, Written by Lisa Cholodenko& Stuart Blumberg; Focus Features
Please Give, Written by Nicole Holofcener; Sony Pictures Classics

Adapted Screenplay

127 Hours, Screenplay by Danny Boyle& Simon Beaufoy; Based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston; Fox Searchlight
I Love You Phillip Morris, Written by John Requa& Glenn Ficarra; Based on the book by Steven McVicker; Roadside Attractions
The Social Network, Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin; Based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich; Sony Pictures
The Town, Screenplay by Peter Craig and Ben Affleck& Aaron Stockard; Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan; Warner Bros.
True Grit, Screenplay by Joel Coen& Ethan Coen; Based on the novel by Charles Portis; Paramount Pictures

Documentary Screenplay

Enemies of the People, Written, Directed, Filmed and Produced by Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath; International Film Circuit
Freedom Riders, Written, Produced and Directed by Stanley Nelson; International Film Circuit
Gasland, Written and Directed by Josh Fox; HBO Documentary Films and International WOW Company
Inside Job, Produced, Written and Directed by Charles Ferguson; Co-written by Chad Beck, Adam Bolt; Sony Pictures Classics
The Two Escobars, Written by Michael Zimbalist, Jeff Zimbalist; ESPN Films
Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)?, Written and Directed by John Scheinfeld; Lorber Films

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