LOS ANGELES - "Slumdog Millionaire" scored the top award from the Producers Guild of America on Saturday, building more momentum for the rags-to-riches drama in the Oscar race for best picture.
The film, a gritty yet heartwarming drama about a game-show contestant from the slums of Mumbai, beat out "Milk," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight" and "Frost/Nixon."
Producer Christian Colson was honoured with the Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year award at the ceremony, held at the Hollywood Palladium, the latest Hollywood kudofest in the run-up to the Academy Awards next month.
"Slumdog Millionaire" swept up four Golden Globe awards earlier this month. Directed by Briton Danny Boyle and starring a cast of unknowns, the film is a leading contender for the Academy Award's best picture. It also snared Oscar nominations for best director and adapted screenplay.
In television, HBO series "John Adams" snagged the David L. Wolper producer of the year award for long-form TV while AMC's "Mad Men" took the prize for drama.
Two shows were repeat winners from last year. In the comedy TV category, "30 Rock" was honoured, while "The Colbert Report" was lauded in live entertainment/competition TV.
In other categories, "Wall-E" won in animated motion pictures, "Man on Wire" in documentaries and CBS' "60 Minutes" in nonfiction television.
Career achievement awards were bestowed on producer Brian Grazer, actor/director/producer Ron Howard, actor/producer Michael Douglas and "The Sopranos" producer David Chase.
The Screen Actors Guild is set to bestow its awards in a televised show Sunday night.
