Seabiscuit upsets Rings for cinematography award

Don't count this horse out.

Seabiscuit, the movie about the Depression era race horse with the reputation for come-from-behind victories, has surprised Hollywood by winning the top award from the American Society of Cinematographers.

Seabiscuit cinematographer John Schwartzman took the prize for the year's best camera work over rivals that included the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World for which it will compete for the year's top US film prize, the Oscar, later this month.

The award for Schwartzman splits the weekend's top two film awards heading toward the February 29 Oscars. On Saturday, director Peter Jackson of The Lord of the Rings took home the award for best directing from the Directors Guild of America.

Due to the popularity of Rings, many Hollywood award watchers believe it will sweep through awards season that ends in the US film industry's top honors, the Oscars, on February 29. But Seabiscuit proved them wrong, so far.

"Oh my god," said a surprised Schwartzman on accepting the award. He called the race horse movie, "the ride of a lifetime."

Next up in the race to Oscars are the Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 22. The Oscars, or Academy Awards, are given out by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

- REUTERS