The 60th BFI London Film Festival selects QUEEN OF KATWE in headline gala section

THE 60TH BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL TO PRESENT THE

EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF

QUEEN OF KATWE

Madina Nalwanga and Lupita Nyong’o as Phiona and Harriet Mutesi in ‘Queen of Katwe’, Walt Disney Studios

The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® is delighted to announce that QUEEN OF KATWE will receive its European Premiere on Sunday 9 October at the Odeon Leicester Square, screening in the Festival’s prestigious headline gala section. The film stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo, Oscar® winner and Tony Award® nominee Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, who will attend with director Mira Nair.

QUEEN OF KATWE is the vibrant true story of a young girl, Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess by Robert Katende (Oyelowo) a soccer player turned missionary. As a result of the support she receives from her mother Harriet (Nyong’o), family and community, Phiona is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

Director Mira Nair, says: “It makes me very proud that the European premiere of Queen of Katwe, a film so close to my heart, and set in my hometown of Kampala, will take place at the BFI London Film Festival. I have so many fond memories of London. We are proud to be back.”

David Oyelowo, comments: “QUEEN OF KATWE beautifully illustrates a thing I know to be true but rarely see in films. Africa is teeming with amazing people who in spite of their, at times, difficult lives, manage to remain full of joy and hope. This is a story where the impossible is made possible through family, mentorship, encouragement, hard work, and faith, all things we can aspire to. It is a story that speaks to anyone and everyone, and I am so proud to have it screen in my hometown as part of the BFI London Film Festival.”

Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director, says: “Queen of Katwe is an inspirational story, directed with vision and heart by Mira Nair and featuring performances of great depth and integrity from David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga. We are proud to be announcing its European premiere to coincide with the launch of the BFI’s Black Star season.”

Directed by Mira Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler, QUEEN OF KATWE is produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher, p.g.a. and John Carls, p.g.a. with Will Weiske and Troy Buder serving as executive producers.

QUEEN OF KATWE is the seventh film directed by Mira Nair to be presented at the Festival, following Salaam Bombay! (1988), Mississippi Masala (1991), Monsoon Wedding (2001), Vanity Fair (2004), Namesake (2006) and The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012).

David Oyelowo also stars in A UNITED KINGDOM previously announced as the Festival’s opening night film.

The BFI’s UK-wide Black Star blockbuster season celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors on film and TV, which runs from 17 October to the end of the year, will be unveiled tonight, Wednesday 13 July 2016, at 19:30. 

The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® takes place from Wednesday 5 October-Sunday 16 October 2016.  The full Festival programme will be announced on Thursday 1 September 2016.