Gabourey Sidibe as Precious The 12th annual Savannah Film Festival, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design, closed on Saturday, November 7 after a full week of special screenings and award presentations.

Film Festival attendees were treated to screenings of the intense war film “The Hurt Locker,” and the powerful urban tale “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.” In addition, the star of “The Hurt Locker,” Jeremy Renner, was presented with the 2009 Spotlight Award for his performance in the film.

Closing the festival was the acclaimed film, “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” directed by Lee Daniels and starring Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe. “Precious” is the powerful story of an urban teenager enduring unimaginable hardships who, with creativity, humor, and ferocity, finds the strength to turn her life around. Daniels was in Savannah to attend the closing night festivities and participate in a Q&A following the screening of the movie.

"Precious" Director Lee Daniels poses with Savannah Tribune Vice President Tanya Milton during interview at Leopald's Ice Cream Parlor During an interview with Savannah Tribune's Vice President, Tanya Milton, Daniels confessed that he had become a bit frustrated in his role of casting African Americans in the cinema.

"There were no roles available for African Americans so I decided to do something to help create the roles", Daniels told Milton.

Daniels career began with plays in Harlem off Broadway. He later began casting music videos for Prince.

He collaborated with Sapphire who is the author of the book Push. "She loved it", said Daniels.

There is also humor in the movie, Daniels wants us to laugh at the movie as well. Humor was a prominent element in Push and remains so in Precious.

Says Daniels, “There is no way you can witness what Precious goes through without laughing, if just to stop from crying.”

Check your local listings for movie times and schedules in your area.