From Up to Inglourious Basterds, The Hangover to A Serious Man, there are some choice, wildly creative original screenplays on offer for awards voters this year. Likewise in the adapted category, films from stage plays, books old and new and foreign-language films are all in contention. Mike Goodridge surveys the competition.

Quentin Tarantino on set of Inglourious Basterds

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

PROFILE: PETER STRAUGHAN
(ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

PROFILE: NANCY MEYERS
(ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)