Elvis and the King

This is a film about how chess changes lives in unexpected ways and places.
The documentary follows Elvis Okwemba who is just twelve yet already advancing rapidly through the ranks of the chess world.
Plucky and charismatic, Elvis is confident he will one day become both a chess Grand Master and President of Kenya.
Chess has exploded in popularity throughout Africa, particularly among young people in underserved communities. The game is credited with improving
decision-making, patience, and cognitive ability — all vital skills for navigating life’s challenges.
More than a game, chess is a powerful tool for empowerment and connection. Once considered ‘The Game of Kings’, Elvis and thousands of other children are turning this narrative on its head.
Elvis is naturally generous and has a gift for sharing the game he loves so much. He has started a chess club in his community of Tuala, on the outskirts of Nairobi where he has trained 35
other children and now the game is growing rapidly in popularity.
As the spine of the story, we will follow Elvis as he progresses through various tournaments across Kenya, Africa, and eventually internationally. Along the way we will meet his friends and
friendly rivals and experience the transformative power of a board game that is changing lives. The film follows contestants such as those from Kakuma Refugee camp on the border with somalia and Kibera, the largest slum in Africa and home to the ‘Kibera Knights’.
The stakes are high, as these young players will be competing to make it to the world stage and beyond.