Akeelah and the Bee

**Akeelah and the Bee** is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison which first premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival on March 16, 2006 and theatrically on April 28, 2006 by Lionsgate.

## Plot

The film follows Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles, California who tries to make it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

## Cast

* Keke Palmer as Akeelah Anderson
* Laurence Fishburne as Dr. Joshua Larabee
* Angela Bassett as Tanya Anderson
* Curtis Armstrong as Bob Welch
* J.R. Villarreal as Javier Mendez
* Sean Michael Afable as Dylan Chiu
* Sahara Garey as Georgia Carver
* Erica Hubbard as Kiana Anderson
* Lee Thompson Young as Devon Anderson
* Julito McCullum as Terrence Anderson
* Eddie Steeples as Derrick-T
* Dalia Phillips as Ms. Cross
* Tzi Ma as Mr. Chiu
* Jeris Lee Poindexter as Steve
* Sara Niemietz as Polly
* George Hornedo as Roman
* Craig Wasson as Ted Saunders

## Box Office

"Akeelah and the Bee" grossed $6,011,585 during its opening weekend. Overall, the film grossed $18,948,425 worldwide on an estimated budget of $8,000,000.

## Critical Reception

Entertainment Weekly wrote: *"Blessed with excellent turns by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, this feel-gooder revels in its hip-to-be-square hyperliteracy, and neatly exceeds its own PSA-ness, practically amounting to a black, preteen "Good Will Hunting."*

The Dallas Observer called it *"a sweet-natured, immensely likable family film."* The Hollywood Reporter wrote: *"Effectively anchoring the picture is Keke Palmer's lovely lead performance as Akeelah Anderson."*

Chuck Wilson of the L.A. Weekly wrote: *"While it can't have been easy to find action points for a drama about vocabulary drills, [Doug] Atchison comes up with a steady stream of plot-propelling business."*

The Chicago Tribune called the film *"predictable, corny and formulaic."* The Village Voice said that Keke Palmer *"nails"* her role as Akeelah, saying that she avoids *"cuteness and conveying more angst than all the pasty freaks in "Spellbound" combined."*

Jessica Winter from Time Out wrote that the film's clichés *"seem bigger and its characterisations broader than they would on the more forgiving telly."*

The Austin Chronicle wrote: *"Akeelah has lofty goals, and though it doesn't always achieve them, it is a rewarding tale for public educators, parents, and kids with big dreams."*

## Awards

**Black Movie Awards** (2006)

* Outstanding Motion Picture: Laurence Fishburne, Sidney Ganis, Nancy Hult Ganis, Dan Llewellyn and Michael Romersa [**Winner**]
* Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Laurence Fishburne [**Winner**]
* Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Keke Palmer [**Winner**]
* Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Angela Bassett [**Winner**]

**African-American Film Critics Association** (2006)

* Best Picture [*Nominated; 4th place*]

**National Board of Review, USA** (2006)

* NBR Award for Top Independent Films [**Winner**]

**Satellite Awards** (2006)

* Best Youth DVD [*Nominated*]

**Chicago Film Critics Association Awards** (2006)

* Most Promising Performer: Keke Palmer [*Nominated*]

**Black Reel Awards** (2007)

* Best Actress: Keke Palmer [**Winner**]
* Best Breakthrough Performance: Keke Palmer [*Nominated*]
* Best Film: Laurence Fishburne, Sidney Ganis, Nancy Hult Ganis, Danny Llewelyn and Michael Romersa [*Nominated*]
* Best Original Score: Aaron Zigman [*Nominated*]
* Best Supporting Actor: Laurence Fishburne [*Nominated*]
* Best Supporting Actress: Angela Bassett [*Nominated*]

**BET Awards** (2007)

* Best Actress: Angela Bassett [*Nominated*]

**Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards** (2007)

* Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actress: Keke Palmer [*Nominated*]
* Critics Choice Award for Best Family Film (Live Action) [*Nominated*]

**Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards** (2007)

* Camie: Sean Michael Afable [**Winner**]

**Christopher Awards** (2007)

* Christopher Award: Doug Atchison, Sidney Ganis, Nancy Hult Ganis, Danny Llewelyn and Michael Romersa [**Winner**]

**NAACP Image Awards** (2007)

* Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Keke Palmer [**Winner**]
* Outstanding Writing in a Feature Film/Television Movie - Comedy or Drama): Doug Atchison [**Winner**]
* Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Laurence Fishburne [*Nominated*]
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Angela Bassett [*Nominated*]
* Outstanding Motion Picture [*Nominated*]

**Online Film & Television Association** (2007)

* Best Youth Performance: Keke Palmer [*Nominated*]

**Young Artist Awards** (2007)

* Best Performance in a Feature Film (Leading Young Actress): Keke Palmer [**Winner**]