Screenwriter calls for new category in major film awards

Acclaimed screenwriter Wang Xingdong, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has called for the creation of a Best Adapted Screenplay category in the country's major film awards.

Wang, who is chairman of the Chinese Academy of Film Literature, said on March 6 that the current recognition to screenwriters offered by major film awards on the Chinese mainland, such as Huabiao Film Awards and Hundred Flowers Awards, consists of the Best Screenplay Award.

In the past, Best Screenplay was usually given to the best adapted screenplay, which was not fair to writers of original work, Wang said.

Adding an award specifically honoring the Best Adapted Screenplay would clarify the situation and allow the Best Screenplay Award to go to screenwriters sparkling with originality, who deserve credit and our respect, he said.