Guild to honor 'Precious' producers

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The Producers Guild of America says it plans to honor "Precious: Based on the Novel By Sapphire" with the 2010 Stanley Kramer Award.

The film's producers are to be presented with the award at the 21st annual PGA Awards ceremony Jan. 24 at the Hollywood Palladium.

The guild said it established the Stanley Kramer Award in 2002 to honor a motion picture, television program, studio, network, producer, executive or other individual entity whose work illuminates provocative social issues in an accessible and elevating fashion.

The award is named for the iconic director and producer whose film credits include "The Caine Mutiny," "High Noon," "The Defiant Ones" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."

"'Precious' is a remarkable film that sends a powerful message of hope -- brilliantly reminding us that we have the power to persevere regardless of life's difficulties. Stanley Kramer's legacy is ideally celebrated with the selection of this very worthy film," PGA Awards Co-Chairs David Friendly and Laurence Mark said in a statement.

"We are thrilled to receive the Stanley Kramer Award and feel honored that the Producers Guild of America has chosen to recognize 'Precious' out of this year's diverse film slate," producers Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness said in a join statement. "It is an honor to join the ranks of past recipients and we feel blessed that the film has been so well received."