'Killers of the Flower Moon' writer Eric Roth to receive Variety Creative Impact Award

Variety will honor "Killers of the Flower Moon" co-writer Eric Roth with the Creative Impact in Screenwriting Award at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The award is in recognition of his entire career, which includes bringing "Forrest Gump," "The Insider," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "A Star Is Born" and "Dune" alive through his screenplays. He will accept the honor as part of Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch on Jan. 5 at the Parker Palm Springs.

"Killers of the Flower Moon" recently received seven Golden Globe nominations, including Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Screenplay, as well as 12 Critics Choice nominations.

"For over more than half a century, screenwriter Eric Roth has exemplified the rare virtues of seemingly limitless versatility, consistently powerful storytelling skills and a word maestro's fine-tuned creative sensitivity," Variety’s Executive Vice President Content, Steven Gaydos said in a statement.

"Whether it's his Oscar-winning work on a wry, humanistic folk tale like 'Forrest Gump' or spinning a gripping thriller like his Oscar-nominated 'The Insider,' Roth's oeuvre is the stuff of legends and the legends seek him out, as exhibited by this year's mighty true-life contender, 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' A huge canvas and a major production, telling a vital story about America's appalling treatment of our indigenous peoples required a uniquely skilled voice, so directing legend Martin Scorsese called on Eric Roth to bring 'Moon' to the screen. It's Variety's great honor to celebrate Hollywood screenwriting at its finest and present our 2024 Creative Impact in Screenwriting Award to Eric Roth."

Roth has brought a number of legendary characters to life through his screenplays and has worked with some of the finest creatives in the film industry, including Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Robert Redford. He won the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay for "Forrest Gump," which also won best picture.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos will receive the Creative Impact in Directing Award at the Variety event.

Palm Springs International Film Award honorees include "Killers of the Flower Moon" (Vanguard Award), Emma Stone (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), Cillian Murphy (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Breakthrough Performance Award), Greta Gerwig (Director of the Year Award), Jeffrey Wright (Career Achievement Award), Carey Mulligan (International Star Award, Actress), Colman Domingo (Spotlight Award, Actor), Danielle Brooks (Spotlight Award, Actress) and Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (Chairman's Award).

The Palm Springs International Film Festival will run Jan. 4 through 15. For more information, visit www.psfilmfest.org or call 760-778-8979 or 800-898-7256.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 'Killers of the Flower Moon' writer Eric Roth to receive Variety award