Lentorama 2009: Great(?) Moments in Catholics on Television

Sometime in 1974: Father Ellwood "Bud" Kieser creates the Humanitas Prize

Founded as an award for television writers, the Humanitas Prize honors "stories that affirm the dignity of the human person, probe the meaning of life, and enlighten the use of human freedom. The stories reveal common humanity, so that love may come to permeate the human family and help liberate, enrich and unify society."

The first awards were announced on Today in 1975 by Fr. Kieser, Ray Bradbury, and Robert Abernathy (none went to sci-fi programming, odd given the membership of that group). They originally gave award to programming of 30, 60 and 90 minutes in length, but would later branch out into children's progamming, public/cable shows, and feature films (both generally and for films in competition at Sundance).

Winners get prizes of either $10,000 or $25,000, as well as a snazzy trophy.