‘Seabiscuit’ ties with ‘River’

Despite an unprecedented runoff vote designed to break their tie, both “Seabiscuit” and “Mystic River” were announced Thursday as winners of the 16th annual USC Scripter Award.

The award, presented by the Friends of the USC Libraries, honors the best film adaptation from a book or novella. This is the first time the award has been presented to two adaptations in the same year.

Both films tied in initial voting by the selection committee, which chose from all the nominees, which included “Cold Mountain,” “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” and “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” A runoff vote between “Seabiscuit” and “Mystic River” resulted in another tie.

Author Laura Hillenbrand and screenwriter Gary Ross will be honored for “Seabiscuit” and author Dennis Lehane and screenwriter Brian Helgeland will be honored for “Mystic River” in a black-tie ceremony on the USC campus Feb. 15.

-- Patrick Day