The Academy Award for Best Story, introduced at the awards debut in 1929 and discontinued after the 29th Academy Awards, was presented annually for the best achievement in story writing for a film from the previous year.
Though confusing for modern audiences, this award most closely resembles the usage of modern film treatments, or prose documents that describe the entire plot and characters, but typically lack most dialogue. A separate screenwriter would convert the story into a full screenplay.
Sorted Chronologically by Awards Year. Winners in BOLD. Acceptance speech linked in Notes (where available).
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AWARD RECORDS:
Most Awards: Ben Hecht & Dalton Trumbo (2)
Most Nominations: Leo McCarey (4)
Most Nominations Without a Win: Irving Berlin, Rowland Brown, Lucien Hubbard, Norman Krasna, Beirne Lay, Jr., Thomas Monroe, John Steinbeck, & Lamar Trotti (2)
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CATEGORY NAME HISTORY:
1929–1942: Writing (Original Story)
1943–1947: Writing (Original Motion Picture Story)
1948–1957: Writing (Motion Picture Story)
