The Writers Guild of America East will honor HBO Films prexy Colin Callender, and scribes Donald E. Westlake and Stephen Schiff at its 54th annual awards ceremony.
Callender will receive the Evelyn F. Burkey kudo for "contributions that have brought honor and dignity to writers everywhere." HBO Films' credits include "Conspiracy" and "Wit," as well as this year's Sundance fave "The Laramie Project" and "Real Women Have Curves." Previous winners of the award include Tom Fontana, Sidney Lumet and Arthur Miller. Callender is the first film exec to receive the honor.
Westlake will pick up the Ian McLellan Hunter award for lifetime achievement in writing. Westlake's credits include more than 70 novels (some under different names) and several screenplays, such as "The Grifters." Previous recipients include Horton Foote, Walter Bernstein and Robert Benton.
Schiff has been tapped for the Richard B. Jablow award in recognition of his service to the guild. The scripter is a WGAE council member and a staff writer for the New Yorker. Credits include "Lolita" and "Deep End of the Ocean."
The gala will be held March 2 at the Pierre Hotel in Gotham; separate West Coast ceremony will take place that same evening at the Beverly Hilton.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com