When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later, now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity, he starts a scholarship program of his own and names it for his former benefactor.
The top students in Mukubu primary school are in the exact same situation as Chris once was. They are bright, but can’t afford to pay school fees. With the creation of Chris’ fund, these students have new hope. But the program is small; how many will qualify for a scholarship? With clarity and grace, A Small Act, bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create.
Writer/Director/Producer Jennifer Arnold graduated from UCLA and University of Nairobi with a B.A. in African History and returned to UCLA for an MFA in Film. Her award-winning film, MAID OF HONOR screened at Sundance before airing on HBO/Cinemax and Film 4. Ms. Arnold returned to Sundance with her internet series, “The Mullet Chronicles,” which was developed into the documentary, AMERICAN MULLET and released by Palm Pictures and Lionsgate. Jennifer also co-directed a documentary for Ethan Coen and wrote a motorcross script, SPEEDWAY, which was selected for Berlin Talent Campus’ script clinic, IFP’s No Borders and FIND’s Directors Lab / Fast Track Program.