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Scripps National Spelling Bee "Bee News"
November 2005
Spotlight On: AKEELAH AND THE BEE
Akeelah and the Bee is a major motion picture scheduled for release in spring 2006. The film "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...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." Akeelah and the Bee is a Lions Gate Films and 2929 Entertainment production. The film was both written and directed by Doug Atchison.
Akeelah and the Bee is an original screenplay by Mr. Atchison. He conceived the idea for Akeelah and the Bee while watching the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee on ESPN. Mr. Atchison received the prestigious 2000 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting for the Akeelah and the Bee screenplay.
Sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in 2000 Nicholl fellowships were given to only five screenwriters out of 4,250 entrants.
The national office has been working with Mr. Atchison and Lions Gate Films over the past 18 months. In fact, Dr. Jacques Bailly plays himself in the film, and the Bee consulted with the film's writer/director and its producers prior to and during filming last winter. Bee officials attended a private screening of the film in mid-October, and they have great faith in the film's potential. The Bee will collaborate with Lions Gate Films in promoting Akeelah, and we will keep you posted regarding these promotions.
The film's trailer can be viewed online at the following link to Lions Gate's Web site: http://www.lgf.com/teaser/akeelah.php
<http://www.lgf.com/teaser/akeelah.php> .
* We have several FREE study activities and tips for spellers
available on our Web site, <http://www.spellingbee.com> , including Carolyn's Corner, 2006 Audio Paideia, the Consolidated Word List, and Merriam-Webster's A Dictionary of Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms.
* Merriam-Webster's Web site, <http://www.m-w.com> ,
contains several items of interest to spellers including word games and the opportunity to sign up for a free subscription to Merriam-Webster's popular "Word of the Day" feature.
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