LOS ANGELES – Ben Affleck won the top film honor from the Directors Guild of America for his CIA thriller “Argo,” further sealing its status as best-picture front-runner at the Academy Awards.

Saturday’s prize typically would make Affleck a near shoo-in to win best-director at the Feb. 24 Oscars, because the Directors Guild recipient nearly always goes on to claim the same prize at Hollywood’s biggest night. But Affleck surprisingly missed out on an Oscar directing nomination.

Milos Forman, a two-time Directors Guild and Oscar winner for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus,” received the guild’s lifetime-achievement award.

Malik Bendjelloul won the group’s documentary award for “Searching for Sugar Man.”

Jay Roach won the guild trophy for TV movies and miniseries for “Game Change.” “Girls” star Lena Dunham earned the guild honor for TV comedy, while Rian Johnson won for drama series for “Breaking Bad.”

‘Wreck-It Ralph’ best animation

Walt Disney’s video-game romp “Wreck-It Ralph” won top animation honors at the Annie Awards.

The comedy hit about a video-game villain who wants to turn hero was named best animated feature at Saturday night’s Annies, presented by the International Animated Film Society.

“Wreck-It Ralph” dominated the film categories, also winning Annies for director Rich Moore, voice co-star Alan Tudyk and for its music and screenplay.

Among live-action films, “The Avengers” won the Annie for animated effects, and “Life of Pi” won for character animation.

On the TV side, an episode of “Robot Chicken” won for best general audience animated show.

‘Karenina,’ ‘Pi’ star for art directors

Two Oscar hopefuls grabbed wins in the 17th annual Art Directors Guild Awards announced Saturday. The ADG Awards honor excellence in production design.

“Anna Karenina” won the period film award, and “Life of Pi” won for fantasy film.

The films are nominated in the production design category for the Academy awards along with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Les Misérables” and “Lincoln.” “Skyfall” won the ADG Award for contemporary film.

Television winners included “Game of Thrones,” “American Horror Story: Asylum” and “Girls.”