Iraq bomb drama scoops US award

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Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker has scooped top prize at the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards.

Kathryn Bigelow's film, about US bomb disposal experts stationed in Baghdad, won the Darryl F Zanuck producer of the year award.

Six of the past nine winners of the prize have gone on to win best picture at the Academy Awards.

The Oscars will take place this year on 7 March with the nominations announced on 2 February.

'Incredible'

The PGA award was accepted by The Hurt Locker's producers Kathryn Bigelow - who directed the film - Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro.

"This is absolutely incredible," said Bigelow, who described the low-budget film as "a tough little war film that was shot in the summer in the Middle East."

The Hurt Locker was overlooked at the recent Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

But victory at the PGAs has thrust the film back into the Oscar race after science fiction blockbuster Avatar emerged as an early favourite.

The PGA Awards best animated film went to Pixar's Up while the best documentary award went to The Cove.