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Madina Nalwanga

Following in the footsteps of "Beasts of No Nation" (2015) lead Abraham Attah, child star Madina Nalwanga was plucked from obscurity on the streets of an African slum to wow Hollywood with her first ever acting performance in "Queen of Katwe" (2016). Born in Katwe, an impoverished area in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, Nalwanga initially had dreams of becoming a dancer, and it was at a community dance class where Indian American filmmaker Mira Nair discovered her. Nair immediately saw something special in Nalwanga and despite no previous acting experience, she eventually gave her the leading role ahead of 700 other possibles in her film, "Queen of Katwe" (2016). Co-starring Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo, the inspiring sports biopic saw Nalwanga become the subject of awards talk thanks to her powerful portrayal of Phiona Mutesi, the real-life Ugandan chess prodigy who attempted to become the first titled female player in her country's history.