The First Grader US Release May 13, 2011

National Geographic Entertainment

The First Grader will be released in the United States on May 13, 2011 by National Geographic Entertainment. The film will be launched in New York and Los Angeles and then expanded to other US cities in the forthcoming weeks. The First Grader, based on a true story, is set in a remote primary school in the Kenyan bush where hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education promised by the new Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge, an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied - even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds.

Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu, supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don’t want to waste a precious school place on such an old man.

The First Grader has been a hit at prestigious international film festivals since its debut at the Telluride Film Festival last September. The film went on to the Toronto Film Festival where it was the runner up for the Audience Prize and then to the Doha and Pan African Film Festivals where it won the coveted Audience Prize. The First Grader trailer can be viewed at here.

The First Grader is an uplifting true story which realistically portrays the triumph the human spirit against all odds. We urge you to go watch the film and also tell your friends about the film. Hereunder is a list of US cities and theaters at which The First Grader will be playing :

MAY 13, 2011
New York	The Beekman
	Angelika Film Center
Los Angeles	Landmark
May 20, 2011
Atlanta	Tara Cinemas 4
Boston	Kendall Square 9
Chicago	Century Center 7
	Renaissance Place Cinema
Dallas	Landmark Magnolia Pictures
Houston	Greenway Palace Stadium 24
Los Angeles	Westpark 8
Philadelphia	Ritz 5
San Diego	La Jolla Village 4
San Francisco	Embarcadero 5
Washington DC	Shirlington 7
	Bethesda Row
May 27, 2011
Albuquerque	Devargas Mall Cinema 6
Austin	Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills
Charlotte	Regal Cinemas Manor Twin
Dallas	Angelika Film Center & Café
Detroit	Maple Art 3
Indianapolis	Keystone Art
Kansas City	Glenwood Arts
Knoxville	Regal Downtown West Cinema 8
Los Angeles	Playhouse 7
	Town Center 5
Minneapolis	Edina
New York	Cinema 100 Quad
	Clairidge 6
	Roslyn 4
Phoenix	Camelview 5
Portland	Fox Tower Stadium 10
Salt Lake City	Broadway Centre 6
San Francisco	Shattuck 10
Seattle	Metro Cinema
St. Louis	Plaza Frontenac