Moonlight outshines Oscar favourite La La Land at WGA awards

Oscar favourite La La Land has taken its first major blow this awards season, losing the Writers Guild of America gong for Moonlight.

The two movies are widely considered frontrunners for the best picture Oscar, with La La Land also expected to sweep most technical categories.

But while Damien Chazelle's musical has been largely dominating this awards season, Moonlight took the honours at the WGA awards on Sunday.

Defying not just Oscar predictions, but also its rulings.

The black, coming-of-age drama won best original screenplay, but the Academy ruled it ineligible - arguing Berry Jenkins' script is based on a stage play called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.

Instead, Jenkins is nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Oscars, alongside Denzel Washington's Fences, Theodore Melfi's Hidden Figures, Garth Davis' Lion and Denis Villeneuve's Arrival.

"This award means the world to me," Jenkins told the LA crowd on Sunday.

"I can't say writing will get you on this stage but it will bring you close to the world."

In Jenkins' case, it could have also brought him closer to the Oscar.

The four guilds - directors, producers, screen actors and writers - have a large number of members in common with the Academy, which makes them strong indicators of Oscars success.

Earlier this year, both the producers and the directors picked La La Land as their favourite, with even the Screen Actors Guild choosing Emma Stone over the likes of Natalie Portman and Amy Adams.

By disagreeing with its fellow guilds, the WGA has shown some Academy members could be voting for Moonlight at the Oscars next weekend.

If Moonlight picks up best adapted screenplay at the Oscars, it also boosts its shot at winning best picture.

Could La La Land's rule be challenged?

The 89th Academy Awards ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday 26 February.