Madina Nalwanga on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival.
Uganda was in the spotlight at a major film festival when the Queen of Katwe movie had its world premiere at the annual Toronto International Film Festival.
Unlike most African stories that are about despair and hopelessness, Queen of Katwe is the colourful true story of Phiona Mutesi (played by Madina Nalwanga) a young girl selling maize on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.
Actors Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Martin Kabanza, Madina Nalwanga, Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende, Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi and director Mira Nair onstage at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall as part of the 2016 Toronto Film Festival where the cast, filmmakers and real life stars received a standing ovation.
David Oyelowo plays her coach Robert Katende while Lupita Nyong’o players Mutesi’s mother. The film is directed by Mira Nair.
Lupita on the red carpet at TIFF.David Oyelowo takes a selfie with fans at TIFF.Chess Coach Robert Katende, his wife Sarah Katende, Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi and the Katendes’ daughter Hope arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe”.Music supervisor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Director Mira Nair, he husband Mahmood Mamdani and Nishant Tharani.Costume Designer Mobolaji Dawodu (L) and his daughter Omolara Dawodu arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe”.
