Dirty Pretty Things screenwriter Steven Knight, Seabiscuit writer Gary Ross and Mean Creek writer Jacob Aaron Estes are among 33contenders from film and television vying for this year's Humanitas Prize.

Seven screenwriters in all are nominated for the feature film andSundance feature film categories in the 30th anniversary year of the event,which was established to sustain and recognise writers in their'humanising task'.

The winners will be announced at a Los Angeles luncheon ceremonyon Jul 8 and stand to receive $25,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Finalists from the feature film category are Knight, Ross and FindingNemo's AndrewStanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds, with Stanton also receiving a mentionfor story credit.

The Sundance feature category pits Estes against Zach Braff for GardenState, and NicoleKassell and Steven Fechter for The Woodsman.

Tony Kushner's adaptation of his own play Angels InAmerica is in contentionin the 90 Minute category, alongside Sally Robinson, Eugenia Bostwick-Singerand Raymond Singer (story by Jennifer Friedes) for Iron-Jawed Angels, and Jonathan Estrin for Jasper,Texas.

'The Humanitas Prize honours writing that reveals the deepestrealities of what it is to be human,' Humanitas Prize president FrankDesiderio said in a statement.

'This is all the more important since television has taken adehumanising turn with some of the so-called reality shows.'

Christopher Carlson, a studentat Columbia University's graduate film programme, will receive the 2004David and Lynn Angell Humanitas Comedy Fellowship and a cheque for $10,000 atthe ceremony.

Previous winnersof the Humanitas Prize include Steven Zaillian for Schindler's List, Tim Robbins for Dead Man Walking, and Kenneth Lonergan for You CanCount On Me.