Anthony Peckham to Recive WGA West Paul Selvin Award

Posted on February 3, 2010

Variety reports that the Writers Guild of America West will honor Invictus screenwriter Anthony Peckham as recipient of its Paul Selvin Award. The award honors work which promotes civil liberties and constitutional rights.

Peckham will receive the kudo at the Writers Guild Awards' West Coast ceremonies on Feb. 20 at the Century Plaza. Previous recipients include Allison Cross, Gary Ross, Cynthia Whitcomb, David E. Kelley, Eric Roth, Michael Mann, Jason Horwitch, Don Payne, Robert Eisele & Jeffrey Porro, and most recently, Dustin Lance Black for "Milk."
"Anthony Peckham's screenplay for Invictus perfectly illustrates what the Paul Selvin Award stands for, expertly conveying how only a few men can unite to impact positive change, and have that change resonate around the world," said WGA West president John Wells.

The Invictus screenplay is based upon the book Playing the Enemy. Peckham, a native of South Africa, co-wrote the hit Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey, Jr. Invictus garnered a Best Actor Oscar nomination for Morgan Freeman for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela, but the film was snubbed in both screenplay categories and in the Best Picture category.