Maxwell Simba in a scene with one-time Oscars nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor

Many actors dream of the type of opportunity presented to Maxwell Simba, the young Kenyan actor who plays the role of William Kamkwamba in The Boy Who Harnessed Wind.The film which was shot in Malawi, recounts the inspiring true story of William Kamkwamba, as told in his memoir, a precocious teen who set out to construct a makeshift wind turbine from scrap material subsequently generating electricity, and building a solar water pump which supplied drinking water to his village after a long period of drought and famine.14-year-old Simba, an alumnus of Alliance Boys High School, learnt about the auditions for this film through his arts teacher. After being chosen for the role, he familiarized himself with the character by reading Kamkwmaba's memoir, and spending ample time with Kamkwamba himself during the pre-production and shooting stages of the film.Kenyans rule on NetflixSimba is the latest Kenyan actor to appear on a Netflix productions. In 2017, actress Mumbi Maina appeared in the second season of the Wachowskis sci-fi drama Sense8. And in January this year, British-born Kenyan actress Patricia Allison appeared in a starring role in Netflix's new comedy-drama series, Sex Education.Blue Sky Films, a Kenyan film production company behind notable Hollywood films including, The Constant Gardener, Tomb Raider 2: Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life and The First Grader', serviced this new film which also features a largely Kenyan crew.Chiwetel goes Kenyan, again...Chiwetel Ejiofor, popularly known for his role in 12 Years a Slave alongside another Kenyan actor, Lupita Nyong'o, wrote the screenplay which was adopted by Netflix and is set to premiere worldwide on the streaming service on March 1st. "I am humbled by the success of the entire process, the exposure I have received and the fact that it is a worldwide release," notes Maxwell.The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind premiered in the recently concluded Sundance Film Festival, where it was feted with a $20,000 cash award after winning the 2019 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. On 13th February 2019, the movie screened at Berlinale in Germany, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.Maxwell Simba is expected to join African Leadership Academy (ALA), a prestigious university in South Africa in 2019, after receiving a scholarship due to his performance in the film. William Kamkwamba was also an alumni of ALA.