The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) has announced that Academy Award-winning writer Cord Jefferson, known for his work on Succession and Watchmen, will be honored with the 2024 Paul Selvin Award for his outstanding contribution to American Fiction.
The award ceremony will take place at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday, April 14 at the Hollywood Palladium.
In his directorial debut, Cord Jefferson presents American Fiction, a captivating comedy based on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett. Starring Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, the film follows Monk’s journey as a frustrated novelist who challenges the literary establishment by penning an unconventional “Black” book under a pseudonym.
The ensemble cast includes Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Keith David, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown.
American Fiction has received widespread acclaim, earning nominations for the Writers Guild Award for Adapted Screenplay and garnering accolades such as the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture, and the Critics Choice Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.Jefferson’s remarkable directorial debut has solidified his status as a visionary storyteller in American cinema.
Cord ‘s journey to success began as a journalist in 2009 before transitioning to television writing in 2014. His impressive career includes writing for acclaimed shows like Survivor’s Remorse, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, The Good Place, and Master of None. Notably, Jefferson won two Writers Guild Awards in 2020 for his work on “Succession” and “Watchmen.” “American Fiction” marks Jefferson’s first screenplay and directorial debut, further showcasing his versatility and talent as a writer-director.
The Paul Selvin Award, named after the late general counsel to WGAW, is bestowed upon the member whose script best embodies the spirit of constitutional and civil rights and liberties. Cord Jefferson joins a prestigious list of past recipients, including Barry Jenkins, Dustin Lance Black, George Clooney, and Tony Kushner.
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