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.’

The awards, which also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, were hosted by Tyler Perry and Halle Berry hosted last night.

‘Grey's Anatomy’ won outstanding drama series, actress for Chandra Wilson and writing for Shonda Rhimes. Hill Harper of ‘CSI: New York’ earned outstanding actor in a drama series.

Taye Diggs received supporting actor honours in a drama series for ‘Private Practice,’ and Angela Bassett won supporting actress for ‘E R’.