Oscar Smiles on Women Writers

When the Oscars for screenplays are awarded tomorrow, chances are pretty good that women's names will be on the envelopes. Three are up for best screenplay and one for adapted screenplay, an Oscar record. Women still make up only 19% of film writers, the AP reports, but the tide may be turning. "We all feel that a victory for one of us is a victory for all," said Diablo Cody, nominated for Juno.

Also nominated are Tamara Jenkins for The Savages, Nancy Oliver for Lars and the Real Girl, and Sarah Polley, who adapted the screenplay for Away From Her. The films have richly drawn female characters, three of whom are represented in the best-actress category, the AP notes. "We are more creative about how we portray ourselves," said Polley. "I think we have a really far way to go, but it is a little bit of progress." (More Hollywood stories.)