Malala biopic to reach 171 countries
‘He Named Me Malala’ focuses on Nobel Peace Prize-winner’s fight for girls’ education
National Geographic Channel plans to release Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim’s upcoming feature documentary He Named Me Malala on Nobel Peace Prize-winner Pakistani activist Malala Yousufzai in 171 countries and 45 languages next year.
The channel has joined forces with Fox Searchlight Pictures for the global release of the film on Malala, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.
“This is a film that you leave not only feeling incredibly inspired, but truly wanting to make a difference,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Channels.
“We are excited to be partnering with the National Geographic Channels to help bring Davis’ passion and commitment in the telling of Malala’s moving story to audiences worldwide,” said Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula.
The documentary offers a look into Malala’s life both before and following the attack. Fifteen at the time of the incident, she was singled out for advocating for girls’ education.
The shooting sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. Malala miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund.
Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for Superman) examines how Malala and her family are committed to fighting for education for all girls.
The launch of the film will also coincide with an international campaign in partnership with the Malala Fund, Malala’s non-profit organisation working to empower adolescent girls globally through a quality secondary education.