Academy honors future screenwriting stars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored the next generation of star screenwriters in the most appropriate way possible on Thursday night.

Actors Ansel Elgort, Jack O'Connell (Unbroken), Tessa Thompson (Selma) and Clancy Brown acted out selections from the Academy's Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners onstage at Hollywood's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Thompson, just coming off the premiere screening of Selma this week, said it was important to pay attention to the current and aspiring professional screenwriters.

"Writers in general remain sort of faceless sometimes," said Thompson. "These screenwriters often go unappreciated. To have a night for these screenwriters on their way is tremendous."

The four Nicholl Fellowship winners (three individuals and one team) were chosen from 7,511 entries. Each winner receives $35,000 and must complete a screenplay during the year-long fellowship.

The winners are:

The Science of Love and Laughter by Sam Baron

Baron called winning the award "the weirdest and best moment in my life." He dedicated the award for the screenplay about a cancer patient to his grandmother and mother, both of whom dealt with cancer.

"You both told me how to live and I love you, this is for you," said Baron.

The Moonflower by Sallie West

Actress Eva Marie Saint gave the award for this screenplay about a woman who makes cello instruments by hand and embarks on a steamy relationship. She called it "a lovely romantic story and an even more remarkable screenplay."

West received the award right after being laid off from her job as a technical writer.

The Death Engine by Melissa Iqbal

Screenwriter Destin Daniel Cretton called the science-fiction love story/screenplay "a provocative script that will stay with me a long while."

Iqbal said it had been a "long journey" to complete the work, adding, "I'm so proud to be standing here before you."

United States of (Expletive) Awesome by Alisha Brophy and Scott Miles

Legally Blonde screenwriter Kirsten Smith called the bawdy look at the country's Founding Fathers a "big, silly, wild, confection," and added the two screenwriters were "about to have a super bright future."

The winners were not the only people honored to be at the event. Elgort said he jumped at the opportunity to read the screenplays on a stage adorned with giant Oscars.

"It makes me feel legit. My 20-year-old mind is excited to be performing where there are these Oscars onstage. It's just an honor to be performing here," said Elgort.