William and the Windmill

Synopsis

Young Malawian William Kamkwamba teaches himself to build a power-generating windmill from junk parts, successfully rescuing his family from poverty and famine. He becomes an energy icon for the developing world and meets American entrepreneur and mentor Tom Rielly, who helps him imagine a new future. Fame, opportunity, stress, and isolation follow his invention, and his life is transformed. As William struggles with the potential of his promising future, he privately yearns to distance himself from his windmill, that which made him famous. This is a story about a complex young man straddling two cultures, carrying the burdens of his past achievements while boldly pursuing a bright future.

Director Biography

Nabors lives in Brooklyn. He has received grants from The Tribeca Institute, Fledgling Fund, and True/False FF. Current projects include “The Happy Film”, about designer Stefan Sagmeister, and a documentary about Spider-Man on Broadway. He co-wrote/produced the narrative short “Palimpsest”, which won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance FF 2013.