THE FIRST GRADER (2011)
Based on a true story.
When the Kenyan government offers free primary education to anyone with a birth certificate, an 84 year-old war hero, who could never afford to get an education, comes knocking on the gates to the local primary school and wants to enroll. Full of vitality and humour, the film explores the remarkable relationships Maruge builds with his classmates some eighty years his junior. Through his fight to get educated, Maruge and his teacher embark on an inspiring journey for a better future for himself and his country.
Purchase/Rent: iTunes / Amazon Prime / AppeTV
Cast
Oliver Litondo
Tony Kgoroge
Director
Producers
Sam Feuer
Richard Harding
Writer
Executive Producers
Joe Oppenheimer
Norman Merry
Anant Singh
Helena Spring
Mario Zvan (Blue Sky)
Jim Shamoon (Blue Sky)
Co-Producer
Trevor Ingman
Partners
BBC Films
National Geographic Films
Blue Sky Films
Distant Horizon
Origin Pictures
Sixth Sense Productions
AWARDS:
2012 NAACP Image Award for Best Writing (Ann Peacock)
4 NAACP Image Award Nominations (Best Picture, Best Independent Feature, Best Actor, Best Soundtrack)
Golden Deckchair Audience Award at the 2012 Perth Int Arts Festival
Ivor Novella Award for Best Soundtrack (Alex Heffes)
2012 AARP Award for Best Actor (Oliver Litondo)
2011 Satellite Award (Best Educational Film)
Black Film Critics Circle (Best Actor - Oliver Litondo)
Doha Tribeca Film Festival (Audience Prize for Best Narrative Film)
Toronto Film Festival (Audience Prize runner-up)
Sedona Film Festival (Best Director's Choice, Audience Choice Award)
The Pan African Film Festival (Audience Choice Award)
Palm Beach Film Festival (Best Feature Film Award)
Nashville International Film Festival (Audience Choice Award)
360/365 Film Festival - Rochester (Audience Prize for Best Narrative Film)
International Filmfest Emden-Norderney (The Bernard Wicki Award)
International Filmfest Emden-Norderney (The DGB Trade Union Award)
Durban International Film Festival (Audience Award)
Kenyan International Film Festival (Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress)
2012 Ingoma Trophy at the FESTICAB in Burundi (Best Feature)
Gotham Award nominee for Audience Favorite
Telluride Film Festival Official Selection 2010