Director Mira Nair decided to adapt "Queen of Katwe" into a film after making a documentary about the life of the man who trained Phiona Mutesi, Robert Katende.
Ugandan fashion mogul Sylvia Owori bought her way into the film as an extra at an auction that acted as a fundraiser for Maisha Film Labs. Other prizes included a "12 Years a Slave" DVD signed by Lupita Nyong'o.
The filmmakers intentionally cast newcomer actors in leading and supporting roles to introduce a lot of fresh talent with regards to young actors required for the film. A mixture of South African and Ugandan youth were cast in various roles. The only big name actors in the film are Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo.
Nikita Waligwa - she played Phiona's friend Gloria who first taught her the rules of chess - was suffering from a brain tumor so director Mira Nair organized medical treatment in India. But sadly Nikita died in 2020, aged only fifteen.
"Queen of Katwe" was filmed in Uganda and South Africa.
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