She's on every page of the script, so the actress had to be strong and incredible. She displayed such a depth of understanding about the character that I knew we had the right kid.

I wanted to tell a 'Rocky'-type story about a girl from the inner city who had the ability, talent and intelligence to do this but didn't have the support or the resources or the belief this was something that was for her.

It was unbelievably difficult to get it made. Studios are extremely allergic to risk. Finally, after a long courtship, Lions Gate Films agreed to make the film. They liked the idea of a sports movie where spelling was the sport, something that might be compared to 'Hoosiers' or other good sports movies, but with a younger lead character.

I've already seen the effect the film has on young people, especially girls. We were at the Pan-American Film Festival in Los Angeles, and one girl told me, 'This movie makes me feel like I can do anything I want.' It shows that even if you don't have the resources, you can use your own will to change things.

I've been spoiled. We didn't have a lot of money but creatively, they were great. When I came into the meeting after the first screening I had ten times more notes than they had.

This has the potential to be a seminal film. That's if people dig it, and I think they will. This is a film with a universal message. People who are 12 and people who are 45 will get something out of it that they can take back to their own lives.