Before a book can be transformed into a film, there must first be a screenplay...and a gifted screenwriter. Tonight, that winning scribe was Geoffrey Fletcher, who masterfully crafted the story of an abused, illiterate teenager into a gripping film by the name of "Precious."

"I don't know what to say," Fletcher began his acceptance speech. "This is for everybody who works on a dream every day...Precious boys and girls everywhere, all the cast and crew and anybody who's kept believing in me. [To] my two brothers, who supported me--my role models, my heroes, Buddy and Todd--my mother, Bettye, angel of my world; my father, Alphonse who spent so much time with us and taught us everything. I'm sorry, I'm drawing a blank right now, but I thank everyone."

To you, Geoffrey Fletcher, we say, "Big Congratulations!"

Read more:

• Director Lee Daniels Talks About Making "Precious," pt. 1
• Director Lee Daniels Talks About Making "Precious," pt. 2