Rae Benjamin to Receive Starz #TakeTheLead Award at Humanitas Gala

Rae Benjamin, known for co-producing season 5 of “The Witcher” and co-writing the animated film “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep,” has been chosen as this year’s recipient of Starz’s #TakeTheLead award at the Humanitas Prizes awards show. The accolade, presented by screenwriter Russell T Davies, recognizes mid-career writers who amplify narratives for women and marginalized audiences, and provides a $10,000 cash prize plus mentorship from Starz leaders.

Starz programming chief Kathryn Busby highlighted Benjamin’s bold storytelling and her commitment to nurturing new voices through her nonprofit In The Cut. Benjamin said the prize will help fund a short film on Black maternal health. The event, hosted by Ashley Nicole Black, will be held on Sept. 9 at Avalon Hollywood, alongside other honors such as the Kieser Award for Winnie Holzman and the announcement of Humanitas’s 2026-27 New Voices Fellows.