Madina Nalwanga facts for kids

Madina Nalwanga (born March 15, 2002) is a talented actress from Uganda. She became famous for her main role as Phiona Mutesi in the movie Queen of Katwe, which came out in 2016. This film tells the true story of Phiona, a young girl from a poor area in Katwe, Uganda. She learns to play chess and becomes a very skilled player, earning the title of Woman Candidate Master.

Madina's acting in Queen of Katwe brought her many awards. In 2017, she won the Most Promising Actor award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. She also received an NAACP Image Award and a Women Film Critics Circle Award. She was even nominated for a Critic's Choice Award.

Madina Nalwanga's Early Life

Madina was born in Katwe, a neighborhood in Kampala, Uganda. Growing up, she helped her family by selling corn on the streets. Her life changed when a casting director found her. This happened at a community dance class in the Kabalagala area of Kampala.

How Madina Was Discovered

The casting director was looking for young actors for the movie Queen of Katwe. They saw Madina at the dance class and realized she had a special talent. This discovery led her to audition for the role that would make her famous.

Madina's Journey in Film

Filming Queen of Katwe was a new experience for Madina. She had never seen a movie in a theater before.

First Movie Experiences

During the filming, actor David Oyelowo took Madina and other kids from the set to watch Jurassic World. Madina was so new to movies that she asked, "Is that what we are doing?" This shows how different her life was before acting. When she finally watched Queen of Katwe, it was only the second time she had ever been inside a movie theater.

Connecting with Her Character

Madina has shared that her own childhood was very similar to that of her character, Phiona, in Queen of Katwe. This helped her play the role with real emotion and understanding.

Recognition and Impact

Madina's talent and story have inspired many. In 2018, when she was just 17 years old, Forbes magazine included her on their "30 Under 30" list. This list highlights young people who are making a big impact in their fields.

Her movie, Queen of Katwe, has also had a positive effect on students in Uganda. A study by the University of Oxford found that students who watched the movie before their national exams often got better grades. This shows how stories like Madina's can encourage and motivate young people.

See also

In Spanish: Madina Nalwanga para niños