“CODA” was awarded the highest award at this year’s Producers Guild Awards, hoping that the film’s small budget could be a star in the next Oscars.

Written by ANDREW DALTON, AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -“CODA “CODA” took home the highest prize at Saturday’s Producers Guild Awards and indicated that the short film would get a big night in the coming Oscars.

The tale of three adult family members that are hearing impaired, and the fourth member who isn’t and wants to pursue a singing career over other contenders such as “The Power of the Dog,” Dune” as well as “West Side Story” to win an award that usually is later awarded an Academy Award for best picture.

“This film has been an incredible ride It was such an incredibly special film to create and there were so many emotions and heart and soul put into the film,” said Fabrice Gianfermi when he accepted the award alongside the “CODA” producers Philippe Rousselet and Patrick Wachsberger at the 33rd PGA Awards.

The American Sign Language translator, who was off to the end of the stage during the evening’s speeches, remained in the center of the stage at the “CODA” acceptance “CODA” acceptance ceremony. Another was on the stage to provide translation to the three actors in this film, who have deafness: Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, and Daniel Durant.

“CODA,” an acronym for “children of deaf adults,” is up for nominations for three Oscars during the ceremony on March 27, which includes best screenplay adaptation for director-writer Sian Heder as well as the best actor supporting Kotsur, who is believed by the majority of people to be the first actor blind since Matlin from 1987 receives an Oscar.

After winning the best ensemble award at the end of last month’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, it began to show signs that “CODA” could be given serious attention for the best picture. The odds are improving. The highest PGA prize winner has won the highest Oscar three times in the last four years and 10 of the last 13. Academy Award voting closes Tuesday.

The PGA Awards, an untelevised program from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles celebrating television and film. It’s similar to a corporate awards banquet as an ordinary awards show, except that there are no speeches that have been cut too short for the duration or swear words blaring out.

“Producing something–is —— difficult,” said Issa Rae, the director for “Insecure” as well as “A black lady sketch show” while accepting an award from the Guild’s Visionary Award.

The ninety-year-old Rita Moreno, star of the 2021 and the 1961 versions of “West Side Story,” received The Guild’s Stanley Kramer Award, which recognizes a person who has forged an artistic career with activism.

“This business is a testament to the grit and determination to succeed,” Moreno said. “Advocating on issues of social justice over the past 60 years has been thrilling, exhausting, and life-giving.”

Moreno stated that the show itself was uplifting and exhausting, having taken his stage around 11. p.m. at a local time, nearly three hours into the performance.

“I was feeling exhausted,” she said. “My buttocks are getting a little uncomfortable.”

George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy, as stewards for The Star Wars universe and producers of numerous other motion pictures, were honored for their work with The PGA’s Milestone Award.

Presenter Steven Spielberg, whose films were produced by Lucas Kennedy and Lucas Kennedy, has called them “two greats” “still similar to children playing in the play area.”

Lucas acknowledged that his top accomplishment might not be the most admired with his peers, including those who introduced him on Saturday.

“The thing I’m most satisfied with is my digital cinema. This was something that was my work for over 20 years. I spent thousands of dollars to get it done,” Lucas said. “Some still don’t believe in it. Where’s Steven?”

Spielberg is standing in the audience, performed in the manner of an old-fashioned film camera to laughter by the crowd.

“But there’s no doubt that we’re all buddies,” Lucas said.

“Summer of Soul” was awarded the PGA’s documentary category, and “Encanto” was awarded the prize for animated films. Both films are nominated for Oscars.

In the PGA’s TV categories, The winners were the creators from “Succession,” “Mare of Easttown,” and “Ted Lasso.”

Greg Berlanti, the producer of shows that include “Dawson’s Creek” and various other shows from the D.C. comics universe, was awarded this guild’s Norman Lear Award and was acknowledged for his work in advancing LGBTQ characters and stories.

The guild’s co-presidents leaving, Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher, were crying as they spoke of their gratitude that they finally met their fellow guild members on the ground after two long years when the pandemic caused the event to happen to be telecast.

They applauded the other producers who kept the production industry thriving throughout their time of struggle.

“Hollywood enjoys a comeback tale,” Fisher said, “and you’ve got one for all ages.”