Palm Beach Film Festival : Best Feature Film

Videovision Entertainment’s ‘First Grader’ Tops The Class at the Palm Beach Film Festival

The Videovision Entertainment co-production, The First Grader, won the Best Feature Film Award of the Palm Beach International Film Festival last night. The film, shot in Kenya, is directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) stars Naomie Harris and Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege, written by Emmy winner Ann Peacock, produced by David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.

The First Grader has been a hit at prestigious international film festivals since its debut at the Telluride Film Festival last September and the Toronto Film Festival where it was the runner up for the Audience Prize and the Doha Film Festival where it won the coveted Audience Prize.

“We are thrilled that The First Grader won the Best Feature Film Award at the Palm Beach Film Festival,” said Executive Producer, Anant Singh. “This accolade is further recognition for the film and its uplifting true story which realistically portrays the determination and tenacity of the human spirit against all odds.”

Director, Justin Chadwick commented, “The First Grader tells of a human story of one man’s determination to receive an education. The film clearly sends the message that one is never too old to learn, and I am delighted  that the film has won the Best Feature Film Award at the Palm Beach Film Festival.”

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 acquired by the theatrical division of National Geographic Films for distribution in the United States where it will be released in May 2011 and will be released in South Africa later this year by Videovision Entertainment through United International Pictures (South Africa).

The First Grader is a BBC Films and UK Film Council production in association with Videovision Entertainment, Lipsync and ARTE France. It is a Sixth Sense / Origin Pictures production directed by Justin Chadwick and stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege. It is written by Ann Peacock, produced by David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.

The First Grader Wins Audience Prize In Doha

Doha Tribeca Film Festival

The First Grader which was the Closing Night film at the Second Doha Tribeca Film Festival last night where it captivated audiences, garnering the Audience Prize for Best Narrative Film. The Award was presented to director, Justin Chadwick and the team by actor, Robert De Niro. Also in attendance were the leads, Kenyan star, Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris; Producer, David M. Thompson and Executive Producer, Anant Singh.

The First Grader has consistently been a hit with audiences since its screening at the Telluride, Toronto and London Film Festivals in September and was the Audience Prize runner-up at the Toronto Film Festival.

Commenting on the win, Anant Singh said, “We are delighted that The First Grader thrilled to have won the Audience Prize in Doha. This accolade is further recognition for The First Grader which has touched audiences at Telluride and Toronto. The film is a heart-warming, inspirational film and we are confident that it will achieve many more awards.”

The film has been acquired by the theatrical division of National Geographic for distribution in the United States.

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 is a BBC Films and UK Film Council production in association with Videovision Entertainment, Lipsync and ARTE France. It is a Sixth Sense / Origin Pictures production directed by Justin Chadwick and stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege. It is written by Ann Peacock, produced by David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.

National Geographic Snags First Grader

National Geographic Entertainment

By Pamela McClintock - Variety

National Geographic Entertainment is going back to school, snagging U.S. rights to Toronto Film Festival entry “The First Grader.”

Festgoers chose the pic as runner-up for the Toronto People’s Choice award. The acquisition caps a particularly busy festival, during which more than a dozen pics found U.S. distribution.

Directed by Justin Chadwick from a script by Ann Peacock, the pic is based on the true story of an 84-year-old Kenyan man’s battle to get an education.

“First Grader,” which garnered favorable critical response at the Telluride and Toronto fests, stars Oliver Musila Litondo and Naomie Harris.

Produced by Sixth Sense/Origin Pictures Productions, “First Grader” is a presentation of BBC Films and the U.K. Film Council in association with Videovision Entertainment, Lip Sync and ARTE France. Producers are David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding. Joe Oppenheimer, Anant Singh, Norman Merry and Helena Spring exec produced.

“When I saw ‘The First Grader,’ I knew immediately that National Geographic should acquire it. It’s not only about historic political events, but it tells the personal story with great warmth and humor,” National Geographic Entertainment prexy Daniel Battsek said.

Battsek has made a handful of strategic festival buys since arriving at National Geographic from Miramax, including docu “Restrepo” and Mt. Everest adventure “The Wildest Dream,” as well as the upcoming “Desert Flower,” “Flying Monsters 3D” and “Blue Man Group: Mind Blast.”

Origin Pictures’ Thompson called National Geographic a perfect fit for the film.

Distant Horizon’s Singh repped domestic rights to “First Grader” (Distant Horizon co-financed the pic). Goldcrest International’s Penny Wolf is handling international sales.

Heartfelt Standing Ovation at Telluride

Telluride Film Festval

Sam Feuer tweets from the Telluride Film Festival :

“THE FIRST GRADER receives a heartfelt standing ovation at Telluride…”