Searchlight's "Little Miss Sunshine" was the surprise winner of the Producers Guild of America's top award, the Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures.
LMS's competition in the category consisted of "Babel,""the Departed,""Dreamgirls" and "The Queen" — all huge players in the Oscar race.
Marc Turtletaub, David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf, Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, the producers of "Little Miss Sunshine," were presented the award.
In reporting the news the Associated Press stated, "Comedies rarely fare well during awards season. The nod from the Producers Guild was even more of a surprise given that 'Babel' won the award for best drama at last week's Golden Globe ceremony."
As LMS's Olive (Abigail Breslin) screamed upon being nominated for the "Little Miss Sunshine" beauty & talent contest, "I won, I won, I won, I won!"
I have been promoting this film since the Dallas advance screening. It is great that a film based on well-developed characters has been recognized for this honor. Way to go LMS!!!