Awards Boost for Videovision Entertainment's "The First Grader"

Oliver Litondo - Best Actor
Black Film Critics Circle

Oliver Litondo (Maruge)
(Photo : Kerry Brown)Oliver Litondo who plays the tenacious, 83-year-old Maruge in the award-winning movie, The First Grader, which is co-produced by Videovision Entertainment, won the Best Actor Award from the Black Film Critics Circle it was announced last night. Founded in 2010, the Black Film Critics Circle is comprised of film critics of colour who write for daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, television and qualifying on-line publications in the United States.

The film has also received recognition last night with the song “Keep On Walking” from The First Grader being short-listed by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for the Original Song category of the 84th Academy Awards. Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, 24 January 2012. The song was composed by Alex Heffes who won the Discovery of the Year prize for his work on The First Grader at the 2011 World Soundtrack Awards at the 38th Ghent International Film Festival in October.

Executive Producer, Anant Singh commented, “Oliver’s performance in The First Grader was really powerful and the Best Actor Award from the Black Film Critics Circle is well deserved. Music Composer, Alex Heffes is an amazing musical talent whose work in the film was outstanding. We are thrilled with the accolades that The First Grader continues to receive and we hope that the film continues this success at the Oscars.”

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 Israel Makoe. 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.

Gotham Awards Nomination for Videovision's "The First Grader"

The Gotham Independent Film Awards

Maruge (Oliver Litondo) and Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris)
(Photo : Kerry Brown)The award-winning film, The First Grader, co-produced by Videovision Entertainment has been nominated for the prestigious Gotham Independent Film Awards coveted Genius Audience Award it was announced in New York last night.

The Gotham Independent Film Awards, are held under the auspices of the Independent Filmmaker Project and are selected by distinguished juries and presented in New York, which is acknowledged as the home of independent film. These Awards are the first honours of the film awards season in the run-up to the Academy Awards.

The First Grader which stars Naomie Harris who will star as Miss Moneypenny in the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, also stars Oliver Litondo who plays Maruge, as well as well-known South African actors Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge, Israel Makoe and Shoki Mokgapa. The film is directed by Justin Chadwick and is written by Ann Peacock. It is 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, 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.

Executive producer, Anant Singh commented, “We are delighted with this acknowledgement from our peers in the independent filmmaking community. The First Grader is up against some tough competition and we hope that come 28 November, the film will be announced as the winner of the much sought-after Genius Audience Award.”

The other nominees for the Gotham Festival Genius Audience Award are Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, Buck, Girlfriend, and Wild Horse, Wild Ride. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, Constance Marks’ documentary Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey traces the life and career of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind Sesame Street’s Elmo. Cindy Meehl’s Buck is a documentary about Buck Brannaman, the man who inspired the book The Horse Whisperer and the ensuing Robert Redford-directed movie. Justin Lerner’s Girlfriend revolves around a young man with Down’s Syndrome who financially assists his object of desire, a woman stuck in an abusive relationship. Alex Dawson and Greg Gricus’ documentary Wild Horse, Wild Ride follows the physical and emotional voyage of wild horses transported from public lands to horse adoption auctions.

The First Grader is currently on release in South Africa and is scheduled to be released in Kenya and the rest of East Africa and West Africa in December 2011.

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 Israel Makoe. 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.

Videovision's "The First Grader" Star is New Bond Girl

SKYFALL - 23rd film in the James Bond Franchise

Naomie Harris
Photo : Kerry BrownThe star of the Videovision Entertainment’s The First Grader, Naomie Harris, who plays the lead role of Jane Obinchu in the multi award-winning film, has been cast in the new James Bond film, Skyfall, the 23rd film in the James Bond franchise. Harris will play one of the most famous and memorable roles of the Bond franchise, that of Miss Moneypenny. Harris, who gives a powerful performance in The First Grader, won the Best Actress Award at the Kenyan International Film Festival last week for her role in the film. She has also received international acclaim for this role at leading film festivals including Telluride, Toronto, London, Tribeca Doha and a host of others.

The First Grader, which has a strong South African association with Videovision Entertainment being one of the co-production partners as well as featuring well-known South African actors Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge, Israel Makoe and Shoki Mokgapa, is written by South African born Emmy winner, Ann Peacock.

Last week, The First Grader scooped the main prizes at the Kenyan International Film Festival, winning the Best Actor (Oliver Litondo), Best Actress (Naomie Harris) and Best Film Awards. Among the awards the film has received are The DGB Trade Union Award - Audience Choice and The Bernhard Wicki Award - Best Film at the Emden International Film Festival; the Audience Award: Best Feature Film and Director’s Choice Award: Best Feature Film at the Sedona International Film Festival; the Audience Award at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival and the Pan African Film Festival; Best Film at the Palm Beach Film Festival and was runner-up to The King’s Speech for the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival as well as the Audience Prize at the Durban International Film Festival. Music Composer, Alex Heffes, won the Discovery of the Year prize for his work on The First Grader at the 2011 World Soundtrack Awards held at the 38th Ghent International Film Festival.

The First Grader is currently on release in South Africa and is scheduled to be released in Kenya and the rest of East Africa and West Africa in December 2011.

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 Israel Makoe. 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" Tops The Class at Kenya Film Festival

Kenya International Film Festival

Naomie Harris (Best Actress) and Oliver Litondo (Best Actor)
Photo: Kerry BrownThe First Grader scooped the main prizes at the Kenyan International Film Festival, winning the Best Actor (Oliver Litondo), Best Actress (Naomie Harris) and Best Film Awards it was announced at the closing ceremony of the Festival in Nairobi last night. The film, co-produced by Durban based, Videovision Entertainment, BBC Films, UK Film Council and Origin Pictures is directed by Justin Chadwick and stars Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris as well as South African actors Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge, Israel Makoe and Shoki Mokgapa.

The success of The First Grader at the Kenyan International Film Festival is of special significance as it marks the culmination of the successful journey of an authentic Kenyan story which has received acclaim around the world, and returning to its roots to take the top prizes at Kenya’s premier film festival. The First Grader has found success at top international films since it debuted at the Telluride Film Festival last year. Among the awards are : The DGB Trade Union Award - Audience Choice and The Bernhard Wicki Award - Best Film at the Emden International Film Festival; the Audience Award: Best Feature Film and Director’s Choice Award : Best Feature Film at the Sedona International Film Festival; the Audience Award at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival and the Pan African Film Festival; Best Film at the Palm Beach Film Festival and was runner-up to The King’s Speech for the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival as well as the Audience Prize at the Durban International Film Festival. Last week, Music Composer, Alex Heffes, won the Discovery of the Year prize for his work on The First Grader at the 2011 World Soundtrack Awards held at the 38th Ghent International Film Festival.

Commenting on receiving the Best Actor Award, Oliver Litondo said, “I am honoured to have won the Best Actor Award for playing Maruge, one of the most inspirational Kenyans of modern times, who made a strong statement about the value of education, underscoring the fact that one is never too old to go to school.”

Executive Producer, Anant Singh said, “We are delighted that The First Grader won the coveted prizes at the Kenyan Film Festival. It certainly is a triumph for the film and we are thrilled that Kenyans have embraced a story that is their own.”

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 currently on release in South Africa and is scheduled to be released in Kenya and the rest of East Africa and West Africa in December 2011.

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 Israel Makoe. 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.

Videovision's "First Grader" Premieres in Johannesburg

Johannesburg, South Africa

The First Grader, co-produced by Durban based, Videovision Entertainment, the BBC, UK Film Council and Origin Pictures had its South African premiere in Johannesburg with the director, Justin Chadwick and local actors Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge, Israel Kakoe and Shoki Mokgapa with Executive Producers, Anant Singh and Helena Spring in attendance. The Guest of Honour at the event was Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty while other VIP guests included Deputy Minister of Public Works, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu; DG in the Presidency, Dr Cassius Lusibi; Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Zak Yacoob, former Minister Barbara Hogan; struggle veteran, Mr Ahmed Kathrada and musician Hugh Masekela.

Speaking at the premiere, Deputy Minister Surty said, “The timing of this film is very appropriate as last Thursday (8 September) was International Literacy Day. Literacy and numeracy is the cornerstone of Basic Education as much as the Bill Of Rights is a cornerstone of our Constitutional Democracy. The film is a wonderful inspiration and certainly we will be able to draw parallels and comparisons between the experience of the Kenyan population and their struggle for freedom and it will no doubt resonate extremely well with our South Africans. But, most importantly, the most powerful message of this film is the fact that we achieve our dignity through education - through the ability to read, write and calculate.”

Anant Singh said, “The making of The First Grader has been quite a journey and we are pleased to be able to present it in South Africa as the first ever co-production between South Africa, Kenya and the United Kingdom. We had initially considered shooting the film in South Africa and, director Justin Chadwick came here to look at locations and then went to Kenya where he fell in love with the locations there. Making the film has been a real privilege for us, especially that it is an African story and for us as Africans to produce the film. We are thrilled with this inspirational film about Africa, focussing on the amazing story of one man’s journey in his quest to be educated.”

Director, Justin Chadwick speaking at the premiere said, “The First Grader is a true story about real men and women and deals with a period of Kenyan history which I didn’t know about. We didn’t do what most international movies do when they come to Africa - we didn’t ship everything in. We worked in Africa with an African crew, which I have to say are some of the best in the world. We had amazing talent in this film, both Kenyan and South African including the script writer, Ann Peacock who is also from South Africa. Some of the actors are here tonight and they really helped make this film feel authentic. We lived in the community we were working with and we involved the whole community. The school that you see in the film, was one school and the whole school was cast. This film is proof that you can make a film without the machine of Hollywood.”

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 will be released at cinemas nationally on 23 September 2011 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 Israel Makoe. 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.

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Director Justin Chadwick and Producer Anant Singh

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Actress Shoki Mokgapa, Dep Min of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Producer Anant Singh

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Struggle Veteran Ahmed Kathrada and Actor Vusi Kunene

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Director Justin Chadwick, Former Minister Barbara Hogan, Dep Min of Basic Education Enver Surty

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