James Schamus to receive Evelyn F. Burkey Award

James Schamus, a Focus Features co-founder, will receive the Evelyn F. Burkey Award at the 2014 Writers Guild Awards. The ceremony will take place in New York on Feb. 1.

According to the press release by WGA, Schamus is receiving the award for "bringing honor and dignity to writers," and that he is "revered by his peers for his ability to tell beautiful and complex stories."

“As a writer, teacher and studio executive, James Schamus has honored the art of screenwriting and championed the work of his colleagues with commitment and taste, making him an excellent choice to receive the Burkey Award,” WGAE president Michael Winship said in a statement, as published by The Hollywood Reporter. “As a friend and associate, I am especially delighted that James is receiving this honor. The films he has written and overseen combine great style and substance, entertainment and purpose.”

Schamus has been a member of the Writers Guild of America, East since 1997. He co-founded Focus Films and has tackled tough, thought-provoking subject matter in his work. He was fired as Focus' CEO in October and replaced with FilmDistrict head Peter Schlessel, who will assume the duties on Jan. 1.

Schamus won “Best Screenplay” at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival for The Ice Storm and received an Academy Award nomination for “Best Adopted Screenplay” for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He has been a producer on dozens of films, including Taking Woodstock, Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

In other recent news, writer David Simon has been selected to receive the Ian McClellan Hunter Award for career achievement from the Writers Guild of America East. Check out the ScreenCraft post here.