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AKEELAH AND THE BEE will open the 30th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) on Thursday, March 16th. The film, a heart-warming drama, directed by Doug Atchison, stars Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, and Keke Palmer is set to open nationwide April 28th. Akeelah and the Bee (rated PG) centers on a precocious eleven-year-old girl, Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), from south Los Angeles, who is discovered to have a talent for words. In spite of the objections of her mother Wanda (Angela Bassett), Keke enters a spelling contest. Her gift takes her to compete in the National Spelling Bee, the most famous competition of its kind in the world. On the way, she is helped by a forthright, mysterious teacher, Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne) and a cast of colorful characters from the community. Her journey evokes pride in the neighborhood, bringing them together and, in the end, all witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.

Tickets to the Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Dollar Bank, are $125 per person ($100 for CFS members). The Gala includes the film at 7:00 p.m. at Tower City Cinemas, followed by an AKEELAH AND THE BEE party at 9:00 p.m. at MK Ferguson Plaza in Tower City Center. Special guests that evening will include Doug Atchison and Keke Palmer.