Queen of Katwe is the true story of 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) who became a Chess Champion exposing her to a world outside the poor town of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda. Her mother, Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o), vigorously makes ends meet selling vegetables in the market. She worries about her daughter with all the attention she begins to attract and tries to protect her from disappointment. This shows its face in the form of discouragement but eventually her mother can no longer deny her potential. Phiona quickly advances through the ranks in tournaments, but breaks away from her family to focus on her own life.
The stars of the movie came out for the 2016 Toronto Film Festival at Roy Thompson Hall. The cast, filmmakers and real life stars received a standing ovation from the audience. The film, starring David Oyelowo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, is directed by Mira Nair and opens in U.S. theaters in limited release on September 23, expanding wide September 30, 2016. Check out some of the photos from the star-studded event below. Photos provided by Getty Images.
Actress Madina Nalwanga arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
(L-R) Mahmood Mamdani, Dorothy Nyong’o, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o and actress Lupita Nyong’o at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
(L-R) Dorothy Nyong’o, actress Lupita Nyong’o and Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Director Mira Nair (L) and costume designer Mobolaji Dawodu at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actor David Oyelowo (L) and Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actresses Lupita Nyong’o (L) and Madina Nalwanga arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende (L) and Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
(L-R) Nishant Tharani, Director Mira Nair and music supervisor Zohran Kwame Mamdani arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Director Mira Nair arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actress Lupita Nyong’o, director Mira Nair and actor David Oyelowo arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actor Martin Kabanza arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Director Mira Nair, actors Madina Nalwanga and Martin Kabanza arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actors Lupita Nyong’o (L) and David Oyelowo onstage at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi (L) and director Mira Nair onstage at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende (L) and Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
(L-R) Actors David Oyelowo, Martin Kabanza, Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong’o and director Mira Nair arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
(L-R) Mark Mugwana, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Sean Bailey, producer John Carls, actor David Oyelowo, Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi, actor Martin Kabanza, Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende, actors Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong’o, director Mira Nair, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn, producer Lydia Pilcher, President, Marketing, The Walt Disney Studios, Ricky Strauss, Executive Vice President of Production, The Walt Disney Studios, Tendo Nagenda and EVP, Distribution at The Walt Disney Company, Dave Hollis arrive at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actress Lupita Nyong’o onstage at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
Actor David Oyelowo arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at Roy Thompson Hall
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