'Slumdog' wins NAACP Image award

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- "Slumdog Millionaire" picked up the NAACP Image award for outstanding independent motion picture in Los Angeles.

The Mumbai-set film, which is the favorite to win the Oscar for best picture later this month, has already earned numerous critics' awards, as well as Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild statuettes and BAFTA masks.

The NAACP Image Awards are bestowed upon individuals and projects that promote diversity in the arts, literature, cinema, recording and television.

"Secret Life of Bees" won the Image award for best film Thursday night, and its director Gina Prince-Bythewood took home the prize for outstanding director.

"Seven Pounds" co-stars Will Smith and Rosario Dawson won the actor and actress in a film awards, while Taraji P. Henson won the supporting actress award for her work in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Columbus Short picked up the supporting actor prize for his performance in "Cadillac Records," the Press Trust of India said.