"Slumdog Millionaire" wins NAACP award

LOS ANGELES: The Oscar front-runner film "Slumdog Millionaire", which depicts the heart warming story of a Mumbai tea boy's incredible journey towards fame and fortune, has won the NAACP award for outstanding independent motion picture.

The awards are given by the oldest civil rights group- the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) and honours individuals as well as projects that promote diversity in the arts, literature, cinema, recording and television.

The British film by Danny Boyle is based in the slums of Mumbai and depicts the optimistic story of an underdog, who goes on to win USD 20 million in a reality show.

Meanwhile, the "Secret Life of Bees" won the best film with director Gina Prince-Bythewood bagging the honours for outstanding director at the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Superstar Will Smith and Rosario Dawson bagged top actor and actress awards for their emotional drama "Seven Pounds."

Taraji P Henson won supporting actress award for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and Columbus Short earned supporting actor honors for "Cadillac Records."