LOS ANGELES — It was a winning night for “Precious” at the 41st NAACP Image Awards. The heart-wrenching tale of an illiterate and abused teen who finds hope in a Harlem classroom was named outstanding motion picture and outstanding independent film at the ceremony Friday.
Stars Mo’Nique and Gabourey Sidibe, screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher and director Lee Daniels also won. Daniels excitedly accepted the best-picture prize, surrounded by his cast and fellow producers.
“No one in Hollywood told me they wanted to see a movie about a 350-pound black woman with HIV,” he said, but Sidibe objected, and Daniels corrected himself: “She’s not 350 pounds. This was before you were hired.”
Presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Image Awards honor diversity in the arts and outstanding achievements in film, television, music and literature.
Sidibe cried as she accepted the award for outstanding actress. “It’s so awesome to win! I love winning,” said the Oscar nominee, who made her acting debut with this film. The Associated Press
