''My Brother'' is a 2006 film directed by

Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...

nominee

Anthony Lover Anthony, also spelled Antony, is a masculine given name derived from the ''Antonia (gens), Antonii'', a ''gens'' (Roman naming conventions, Roman family name) to which Mark Antony (''Marcus Antonius'') belonged. According to Plutarch, the Antonii ...

. It stars

Vanessa L. Williams Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American singer, actress, model, producer and dancer. She gained recognition as the first Black woman to win the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984. She would later res ...

Tatum O'Neal Tatum Beatrice O'Neal (born November 5, 1963) is an American actress. At the age of 10, she became the youngest person ever to win a competitive Academy Award, for her performance as Addie Loggins in '' Paper Moon'' co-starring her father, Ry ...

, Nashawn Kearse and

Fredro Starr Fred Lee Scruggs Jr. (born April 18, 1971), better known by his stage name Fredro Starr, is an American rapper and actor best known as a member of the hardcore rap group Onyx. Fredro Starr was discovered by the late hip hop star Jam Master Jay o ...

. It also stars two first-time actors with Down syndrome, Christopher Scott and Donovan Jennings. Two developmentally disabled actors played leading roles, and also an African-American actor with a developmental disability played a leading role. The movie was produced by

Gregory Segal Gregory Segal, sometimes credited as Greg Segal, is an independent writer/director, movie producer and entertainment attorney. He most recently directed a thriller shot in the Philippines Manila Bulletin Article, from his own script, entitled ...

for Angel Baby Entertainment and Liberty Artists. The executive producer was

Michael Malagiero Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * he He ..., a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name * Michael (bishop elect)">Michael (surname)">he He ..., a given nam ...

. The cinematographer was John Sawyer. The movie was released theatrically in March 2007 in 19 cities by CodeBlack Entertainment. The DVD was released in May 2007 by Universal.

Special Olympics connection

The movie was promoted in connection with the

Special Olympics Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners in 172 countries. Special Ol ...

. Vanessa Williams sits on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics International. A benefit for the Special Olympics was held in Washington D.C. for the release of the movie in that city. It was attended by cast and crew, Tim and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Sargent Shriver, and Vanessa Williams.

Awards

The movie won the Grand Jury Prize at the American Black Film Festival in Miami, in July 2006. It has received 26 other nominations and awards, including Christopher Scott's Founder's Award at the American Black Film Festival.

References

External links

* * * 2006 films 2006 drama films Down syndrome in film American drama films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films {{2000s-drama-film-stub