black people,spelling,spelling bee,family drama,single mother,community spirit,pre-teen,parental abuse,south central los angeles,black community,independent film,inspired by true story

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Poster for Akeelah and the Bee

Changing the world... one word at a time.

11-year-old Akeelah Anderson has a way with words. After winning her schoolwide spelling bee, she decides to enter the competition, despite her classmates' derision and the antipathy of her mother Tanya. Thanks to the efforts of her teacher Dr. Larabee, she reaches the finala. As she gets to know her fellow competitors, Akeelah realizes that coming first isn't everything in life.

Cast & Crew

Director
Doug Atchison
  • Profile picture of Keke Palmer
    Akeelah Anderson Keke Palmer
  • Profile picture of Laurence Fishburne
    Dr. Larabee Laurence Fishburne
  • Profile picture of Angela Bassett
    Tanya Anderson Angela Bassett
  • Profile picture of Curtis Armstrong
    Mr. Welch Curtis Armstrong
  • Profile picture of J.R. Villarreal
    Javier J.R. Villarreal
  • Profile picture of Sean Michael Afable
    Dylan Chiu Sean Michael Afable
  • Profile picture of Lee Thompson Young
    Devon Lee Thompson Young
  • Profile picture of Julito McCullum
    Terrence Julito McCullum

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Keywords

  • black people
  • spelling
  • spelling bee
  • family drama
  • single mother
  • community spirit
  • pre-teen
  • parental abuse
  • south central los angeles
  • black community
  • independent film
  • inspired by true story