The Los Angeles Press Club is thrilled to announce the winner of its 7th annual Veritas Award for Best Film Based On or Inspired By Real Events and People. This award is voted on by the 1,000 members-strong LAPC, and the films under consideration are judged equally on fidelity of subject matter and artistic excellence.
The clear winner is "King Richard," directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and produced by Tim White, Trevor White and the film’s star, Will Smith, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie follows the journey of a tight-knit family whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately deliver two of the world’s greatest sports legends, Venus and Serena Williams.
Training on Compton, California’s neglected tennis courts — rain or shine — the young girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them.
“Bringing the truth of this father, and this family, to the screen was incredibly rewarding," the filmmakers said. "It’s not often we as audiences see — or as filmmakers, get to tell — such a positive story about the Black community in film. Receiving this honor really brings it home for us, knowing that the Veritas Award recognizes the unsung heroes, not only for their triumphs but also, and more importantly, their humanity.”
Director Reinaldo Marcus Green, along with Tim and Trevor White and executive producer Isha Price, sister of Venus and Serena, accepted the award at a virtual ceremony.
“’King Richard’ takes viewers behind the headlines to provide insight on the persistence, discipline, confidence and competitive spirit instilled in them by their parents that helped Venus and Serena Williams forge their groundbreaking careers,” said LA Press Club President Lisa Richwine.