The Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement is given to that member of the Guild who, in the opinion of the current Board of Directors, has advanced the literature of the motion picture through the years, and who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of the screen writer.

The Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement is given to that member of the Guild who, in the opinion of the current Board of Directors, has advanced the literature of television through the years, and who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of the television writer.