BREAKING NEWS

Hostage film 'Argo' wins producers award as Oscars loom

LOS ANGELES - Iran hostage drama "Argo" continued its trophy-winning streak on Saturday, taking the top prize at the Producers Guild Awards in the latest boost to its chances at the Oscars.
Guild picks regularly go on to win at the film industry's most prestigious event - for the last five years, the producers' choice of best-produced film has taken the best picture Oscar.
"I'm really surprised. I'm not even in the PGA (Producers Guild of America)," Argo director, producer and star actor Ben Affleck said as he collected the award for the film that tells the true story of the rescue of US diplomats from Tehran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
"I am still acting and available," added a smiling Affleck, joined on stage by co-producer Grant Heslov. George Clooney, also a producer, did not attend the event in Beverly Hills.
The PGA prize is seen as a particularly good indicator of future success as many of the Guild's 5,000 plus members are also members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who vote for the Oscars.
Argo was nominated earlier this month for a best film Oscar, but Affleck was snubbed in the director's category. Neverthless, he won a Golden Globe for his direction this month and Argo also won best movie drama at the Golden Globes.