FILM SYNOPSIS:

This inspiring tale bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create. When Swede Hilde Back anonymously sponsored the primary and secondary education of a young, rural Kenyan student, she never expected to hear from him, but years later she does. 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 at a Kenyan primary school 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, the film interweaves seemingly separate lives into a cohesive whole. The secret of A Small Act was destined to be discovered, if only to remind and inspire others to take such a chance—and change a life Winner, Women in Film National Geographic All Roads Film Project; Elle/Garnier Film Independent Directing Fellowship.

DIRECTOR’S BIOGRAPHY:

Jennifer Arnold graduated from UCLA and University of Nairobi and returned to UCLA for a MFA in Film. Her award-winning short, MAID OF HONOR screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival before airing on HBO/Cinemax. She returned to Sundance with the Web series, "The Mullet Chronicles," which was developed into the AMERICAN MULLET, released by Palm Pictures/Lionsgate. A Small Act is an HBO Documentary film.