

2006
Eleven year-old Akeelah Anderson's life is not easy: her father is dead, her mom ignores her, her brother runs with the local gangbangers. She's smart, but her environment threatens to strangle her aspirations. Responding to a threat by her school's principal, Akeelah participates in a spelling bee to avoid detention for her many absences. Much to her surprise and embarrassment, she wins. Her principal asks her to seek coaching from an English professor named Dr. Larabee for the more prestigious regional bee. As the possibility of making it all the way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee looms, Akeelah could provide her community with someone to rally around and be proud of -- but only if she can overcome her insecurities and her distracting home life. She also must get past Dr. Larabee's demons, and a field of more experienced and privileged fellow spellers.

actor · Akeelah

actor · Dr. Larabee

actor · Tanya

actor · Mr. Welch

actor · Javier

actor · Dylan

actor · Georgia

actor · Devon

actor · Terrence

actor · Kiana

actor · Derrick-T

actor · Ms. Cross

actor · Mr. Chiu

actor · Steve
Add image for Sara Niemietz :)
actor · Polly
Add image for George Hornedo :)
actor · Roman

actor · Ted Saunders

actor · District Judge

actor · Regional Judge
Add image for Katie Kerwin McCrimmon :)
actor · Herself

actor · Regional Pronouncer
Add image for Austin Herrera Davis :)
actor · Cheating Boy
Add image for Janet Borrus :)
actor · Cheating Boy's Mom

actor · Akeelah's Father
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