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Release date United States: Friday, April 28, 2006, DVD release: Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Director: Doug Atchison

Cast:

Angela Bassett as Tanya Anderson
Keke Palmer as Akeelah Anderson
Laurence Fishburne as Dr. Joshua Larabee
Curtis Armstrong as Mr. Welch
Zac Gardner as Cute Speller
Sahara Garey as Georgia
Kahlil Ashanti as Postman
Brittany Curran as Pigtail Girl
Austin Herrera Davis as Spike Haired Boy
Lee Garlington as Regional Judge
Marjorie Harris as Head Judge
Stephanie Hass as National Spelling Bee Press Reporter (unconfirmed)
Erica Hubbard as Kiana Anderson
Julia Kelleher as Tall Speller

About:

A heart-warming, triumph-over adversity drama, "Akeelah and the Bee" 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.

Genres:
Drama

Producers: Sidney Ganis Danny Llewelyn Michael Romersa

Writers: Doug Atchison

Studio: Lions Gate Films