Los Angeles, March 8 (IANS) The Iraq-based war drama "The Hurt Locker" was named best picture at the 82nd Academy Awards and also got the best director Oscar for Kathryn Bigelow.

"This is the moment of a lifetime... it is so extraordinary to be in the company of such powerful filmmakers. I really want to thank the Academy. The secret to filmmaking is collaborating and I had a truly extraordinary group of collaborators. I want to dedicate this to all men and women in the military who risk their lives on a daily basis," Bigelow, dressed in a steel grey gown, said after accepting the award.

Producers Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro won the best picture award for the film that stars Jeremy Renner as Staff Sgt. William James who carries out one of the most dangerous military assignments - bomb defusing. While James thrives on the job's risks, the head of his support team, Sgt. JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie), becomes increasingly worried by recklessness in James's behaviour.

"This is something beyond our dreams. To be standing here was something that we never imagined. Thank you for honouring us," said Boal after getting the award.