Investment and equity services company LipSync Productions and post-production company LipSync Post provided investment and post-production services for The First Grader, which will be released in the UK from 24 June.
The film tells the true story of an 84 year old Kenyan villager and ex-Mau Mau freedom fighter who fights for his right to go to primary school to get the education he was never allowed. It was directed by BAFTA-winner Justin Chadwick (Bleak House, The Other Boleyn Girl) and produced by David M. Thompson (Billy Elliott, An Education), Sam Feuer and Richard Harding.
A BBC Films and UK Film Council production in association with Videovision Entertainment (South Africa), LipSync and ARTE France, The First Grader is a Sixth Sense / Origin Pictures production starring Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege. It is written by Ann Peacock and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.
The First Grader has been selected to appear at many festivals worldwide including the London Film Festival, and has won several awards including Best Feature Film at the Palm Beach Film Festival and the Audience Prize for Best Narrative Film at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
LipSync provided grading, VFX, audio post-production and online editing facilities as well as investment for the film.
David Thompson, Producer, Origin Pictures, said, “It has been a real pleasure collaborating with LipSync on The First Grader. The whole team is top draw and we couldn’t be happier with the work they’ve done on it. We look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.”
Origin has also worked with LipSync on the acclaimed BBC TWO drama The Crimson Petal and the White and the upcoming feature film The Awakening, and its conspiracy thriller Undisclosed is currently in post at LipSync.
