Rae Benjamin, co-producer of “The Witcher” Season 5 and co-writer of the animated film “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep,” has been chosen to receive the Starz #TakeTheLead award at the upcoming Humanitas Prizes awards ceremony, as announced on Wednesday.
Screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies, known for works like “Doctor Who,” “Queer As Folk,” and “Years and Years,” will present the award to Benjamin. The award honors a “mid-career writer” committed to highlighting narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented groups. Along with the accolade, Benjamin will receive a $10,000 cash prize and mentorship from Starz executives.
Starz original programming president Kathryn Busby praised Benjamin’s distinctive voice and bold storytelling, noting her dedication to nurturing new voices through her organization, In The Cut. This aligns with the #TakeTheLead initiative and Starz’s dedication to promoting underrepresented storytellers. Busby expressed confidence in Benjamin’s potential and the reasons behind her selection for the award.
Other finalists for the award included Autumn Jimerson for “Forever,” William Yu for “The ‘Burbs,” Melody Cooper for “Power Book IV: Force,” Jonathon Roessler for “My Life with the Walter Boys,” and Sylvia Alcalá for “A Man on the Inside.”
In a statement, Benjamin highlighted her aim to foster positive and inclusive representation through her writing, volunteer efforts, and company, In the Cut. She emphasized that both Humanitas and Starz go beyond token inclusion, genuinely advocating for innovative storytelling. She plans to use the 2026 #TakeTheLead Award prize money to support her forthcoming short film focused on Black maternal health.
Winnie Holzman, creator of “My So-Called Life,” will receive this year’s Kieser Award, presented by “Thirtysomething” executive producers Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, who previously worked with Holzman.
The Humanitas 2026-27 New Voices Fellows were also announced: Christina Ingraldi, Leon Lee, Alana Saab, Finn Wagstaff, and Keith Walker. These fellows will engage in a six-month mentorship for early-career television and screenwriters, receive one-on-one guidance, and a $7,500 stipend. Emmylou Diaz serves as the fellowship’s Program Advisor.
Winners of the Humanitas College Screenwriting Awards were Omid Iranikhah, receiving the David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Award, and Lauryn Bedford, receiving the Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Award. Both winners will receive a $20,000 cash prize and a script notes session with a professional writer. Lauren Goodman and Hayley Tibbenham, alumni of the Humanitas program, will present the artist development awards.
This year, Humanitas has partnered with Echo Lake Entertainment to connect New Voice Fellows with managers for an educational exchange.
Humanitas Executive Director Michelle Franke emphasized that the partnership reflects a mutual belief in the importance of mentorship, community, and growth opportunities for developing writers. She expressed gratitude to Echo Lake Entertainment for helping illuminate paths for new writers to explore the human experience through storytelling.
Amy Schiffman, an Echo Lake partner, stated that the collaboration with Humanitas aims to support emerging writers and benefit both their management team and the New Voices Fellows.
The Humanitas Prizes Awards Show & Toast is scheduled for September 9 at Avalon Hollywood, with writer, actor, and comedian Ashley Nicole Black as the host.
