Super Size me collects Writers Guild award

Super Size Me has won the Writers Guild of America award for a documentary screenplay.

The prize, the guild's first in that category, recognised writer Morgan Spurlock, who also starred in the film and became ill after a month's experiment eating fast-food three times a day.

"The movie has exceeded any expectations we ever had," Spurlock said after accepting the award at a Hollywood ceremony.

"I am overwhelmed of all the praise it's got." Asked whether he was surprised the film contributed to McDonald's scaling back on super-size menu items, Spurlock said: "It's a testament to the power of film-making. Documentaries are more important now than ever."

Super Size Me, which became an US$11 million ($15.5 million) hit, is nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary. Spurlock also won the Sundance Film Festival's documentary-directing prize.