The University of Southern California will reveal its selections for their annual Scripter Award, an prize given to the original author and the screenwriter for a cinematic achievement. Saturday night, they’ll announce their winner at the end of a long dinner and plenty of speechifying. While not as interesting in general as the Annie Awards, a rare glimpse into non-TV awards show productions.

USC SCRIPTER AWARDS

Best Adapted Screenplay

Arrival (Tripp, Thomas)
Fences (RU:Wesley)
Hidden Figures (RU:Peter)
Lion
Moonlight (Wesley, Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: This year, USC has the unenviable task of recognizing a posthumous author and screenwriter (Fences), a screenplay that is considered original by some and adapted by others (Moonlight), and three other adaptations. Since this category frequently aligns with the Oscars, more so than does the Writers Guild of America (they have unusual eligiblity rules making the comparisons facile at best). This is why I give the edge to Moonlight. Any of the others could win, especially the stage-to-screen adaptation Fences or the sci-fi mindbender Arrival. Hidden Figures could surprise with a win, but its screenplay isn’t the best thing about the film. Lion is the only film I couldn’t really see taking this award.
Peter J. Patrick: I expect this will go to the critically acclaimed Moonlight, but popularity could slant the vote in the direction of Hidden Figures.
Tripp Burton: This is an interesting race. All five Oscar nominees are here. Moonlight would seem like the frontrunner, but its not a traditional adaptation, and this award honors both the source material and the screenplay. That could hurt it here in favor of something like Arrival.
Thomas LaTourette: It seems that the Scripter has often gone to the safer bet, so I assume that Arrival might win here. Moonlight is still likely to take the Oscar, but it may be too edgy to win this award. Hidden Figures could prove a spoiler, but I think that Arrival might just edge out Moonlight, but it will be close.