'Slumdog' bags top award at Writers Guild of America

Oscar front-runner Slumdog Millionaire continued its victory march on the award circuits by bagging top honours at the Writers Guild of America.

WGA award has given the film another major boost ahead of the Oscars on February 22. With 10 Oscar nominations, the film is only second to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

The bilingual film, which depicts the heartwarming story of a Mumbai slumdwellers rags-to-riches journey, won the prize for for the Best Adapted Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy. The screenplay has been adapted from Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel "Q & A".

Beaufoy, however, was not present at the ceremony as he is in London to attend the BAFTAs on Sunday night, where the film has been nominated in 11 categories.

The WGA award for Best Original Screenplay went to Dustin Lance Black for biographical drama Milk, which depicts the inspirational story of 1970s slain gay politician Harvey Milk, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The awards took place simultaneously at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and at the Hudson Theatre in New York on Saturday night, the paper reported.

Meanwhile, the prize for Best Documentary Screenplay went to Israeli film Waltz With Bashir. The award for Dramatic series went to Mad Men while 30 Rock won the prize for best Comedy series.