Manny The Movie Guy /

"The Descendants," written by Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings was the big winner at the 24th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award. Founded by the Friends of the USC Libraries, the award honors the author(s) and screenwriter(s) of the year's best motion picture adapted from a printed work. So Oscar fans take note, this is a great predictor of the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

According to the USC Award guidelines, "the Scripter Award selection committee is comprised of Writers Guild of America members, Academy Award-winning and -nominated screenwriters, authors, film industry executives, faculty, and selected members of the board of the Friends of the USC Libraries."

We'll see if the Writers Guild Awards will agree! WGA winners will be announced later tonight!

Here's the complete list of nominees of the 24th USC Scripter Awards! To visit other award-giving bodies, check out our Award Avenue coverage right here:

24th USC Scripter Awards

Christopher Hampton for "A Dangerous Method," adapted from the nonfiction book "A Most Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein" by John Kerr and the 2002 stage play "The Talking Cure" by Hampton.

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash for "The Descendants," adapted from Kaui Hart Hemmings’ novel (itself an expansion of her first published short story, “The Minor Wars”).

Moira Buffini for "Jane Eyre," adapted from the 1847 book by Charlotte Brontë.

Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, and Stan Chervin for "Moneyball," based on Michael Lewis’ book, "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game."

Screenwriters Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan and author John le Carré for the thriller "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy."