Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, often shortened to Precious, was nominated for six Academy Awards and took home two. The film, directed by Lee Daniels, is an adaptation by Geoffrey Fletcher of the 1996 novel Push by Sapphire, and stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, and Mariah Carey. The film marked Sidibe's acting debut, and earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination.