X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

John Sayles Biography

Profession Writer, Actor, Director, Editor, Soundtrack, Script department, Producer, Sound department, Music department

Awards

  • 1980LAFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1980NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1981Saturn Award-Best Writing: nominated
  • 1981NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1981WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1984Caixa de Catalunya-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1985Grand Jury Prize-Dramatic: nominated
  • 1985Special Jury Recognition-Dramatic Non-Competition: winner
  • 1987Critics Award-: nominated
  • 1987WGA Award (TV)-Original Long Form: winner
  • 1988Independent Spirit Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1988Independent Spirit Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1990USC Scripter Award-: nominated
  • 1991Critics Award-: nominated
  • 1991KCFCC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1991Tokyo Grand Prix-: winner
  • 1992CFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1992CFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1993Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1993Grand Prix-: winner
  • 1993WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1994Tokyo Grand Prix-: nominated
  • 1996SACD Prize-Directors' Fortnight: nominated
  • 1996Independent Spirit Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1996Independent Spirit Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1996International Critics Award-: winner
  • 1996Lone Star Film & Television Award-Best Director: winner
  • 1996Lone Star Film & Television Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1996STFC Award-Best Director: winner
  • 1996STFC Award-Best Screenplay, Original: winner
  • 1997Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
  • 1997CFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1997CFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1997Independent Spirit Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1997Solidarity Award-: winner
  • 1997Golden Seashell-: nominated
  • 1997FIPRESCI Prize-: winner
  • 1997OCIC Award-: winner
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Original: winner
  • 1997SEFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 1997WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1999Palme d'Or-: nominated
  • 1999Golden Space Needle Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2003Golden Orange Award-: winner
  • 2003Upstream Prize-Best Film: nominated
  • 2004Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
  • 2004Golden Seashell-: nominated
  • 2007Best Screenplay-: winner
  • 2008Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television): nominated
  • 2011Gawad Urian Award-Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon): nominated
  • 2013Audience Award-Narrative Spotlight: nominated
  • 2014Black Reel-Outstanding Independent Feature: nominated
  • 2017Felix-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
  • 2020Silver Ariel-Best Screenplay Adapted from Another Source (Mejor Guión Cinematográfico Adaptado): winner