78th Writers Guild of America Awards

The 78th Writers Guild of America Awards were held on March 8, 2026, to honor the best writing in film, television and radio of 2025.^[1] The nominations were announced on January 27, 2026.^[2][3] Roy Wood Jr. returned to host for the New York ceremony at the Edison Ballroom.^[4] The 78th Awards took place amid the 2026 Writers Guild Staff Union Strike. The Writers Guild Staff Union represents over 110 employees of the Writers Guild of America West. On March 1, the Los Angeles ceremony was cancelled after the WGSU refused to ratify the WGAW's last best and final offer by February 27. The East ceremony in New York City continued as planned.

In February 2026, the staff of the Writers Guild of America West, who have been bargaining with Guild Management over a first union contract, went on an unfair labor practice strike, alleging that the Guild had committed unionbusting and bad faith "surface bargaining". On February 24, Guild Management threatened to shut down the awards show the following month if the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) did not accept their last, best, and final offer by February 27.^[5] The staff union refused to entertain the offer, criticizing it for lacking "basic union protections" and for "maintaining status quo". On February 28, the day after the Guild promised to cancel the Awards, they had still not publicly announced a cancellation. The WGSU said they remained ready to continue bargaining with the Guild's management once they returned to the table.^[6]

On March 1, Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) cancelled the Los Angeles ceremony planned for March 8. The show was scheduled to take place at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and be hosted by comedian and WGAW member Atsuko Okatsuka.^[7]

After the awards show cancellation, Okatsuka announced on March 6 that she would be headlining a Benefit Comedy Show for the striking workers instead. In a quote to The Hollywood Reporter, Okatsuka said, "I'm a union girl... We're only as strong as the people behind the scenes!! We're one unit, so we must move as such. I was supposed to host the awards this Saturday. A day of celebrating the hard work of artists in one of the strongest unions in the U.S.. But could we really celebrate while the staff, who help support the union are asking to be heard of their needs? I'm honored to stand with them."^[8]

Winners are listed first in boldface.^[9]

• Stephen Colbert - Walter Bernstein Award for "willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity"
• Terry George - Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement
• Diana Son - Richard B. Jablow Award for Devoted Service

• Official website