The 2026 Humanitas Prize ceremony unveiled its winners Wednesday evening, celebrating outstanding storytelling across television and film. Three major honorees emerged from the competition: the third season premiere of “Shrinking,” the second season debut of “Paradise,” and an episode from the limited series “Washington Black.” The ceremony took place at Avalon Hollywood and was hosted by entertainer Ashley Nicole Black.
The winning episode of “Shrinking” titled “My Bad” drew attention for its exploration of Parkinson’s disease, featuring a guest appearance by Michael J. Fox. Meanwhile, “Paradise” captured the prize in the drama category with its premiere episode “Graceland,” which centered on post-apocalyptic survival themes and starred Shailene Woodley. “Washington Black” secured victory in the limited series category with the episode “The Flying Man and the Musician.”
The Humanitas Prize recognizes screenwriters whose work meaningfully examines the human experience with depth and nuance. Winners receive both a trophy and monetary compensation at the annual awards celebration. Additional honorees were recognized across multiple categories including comedy, children’s programming, feature films, and documentaries, acknowledging exceptional writing talent throughout the entertainment industry.
Notable recognition also went to Winnie Holzman, creator of “My So-Called Life” and writer of “Wicked,” who received the Kieser Award during the ceremony. Marshall Herskovitz, executive producer of “Thirtysomething,” presented the award to Holzman, acknowledging their long professional relationship spanning decades.
Originally reported by Variety →
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