SACHA BARON COHEN - BORAT NOMINATED FOR WGA AWARD

British funnyman SACHA BARON COHEN has garnered a surprise nomination from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for his spoof documentary, BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN. Despite losing out at with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) this morning (12JAN07), the controversial comedy has earned the show's star and co-creator recognition in the category of Adapted Screenplay, where it will compete against THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, LITTLE CHILDREN, THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING and THE DEPARTED. The award for Original Screenplay sees nominations for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, STRANGER THAN FICTION, UNITED 93, and BRAD PITT's new movie BABEL, as well as THE QUEEN starring DAME HELEN MIRREN. The winners will be announced at awards ceremony on 11 February (07) in New York and Los Angeles.