Town of Runners

• Director: Jerry Rothwell
• Cast: Sentayehu Eshetu, Hawii Megersa, Alemi Tsegaye, Biruk Fikadu
• Theatrical Release Date: April 20, 2012

Synopsis: In Bekoji, Ethiopia, running is a way of life. Over the past two decades this small, rural town has been the unlikely home to numerous Olympic champion long-distance runners, whose athletic success has paved the way for young Ethiopians searching for a better life. Among the current group training under renowned coach Sentayehu Eshetu (whose protégé Derartu Tulu was the first African woman to win Olympic gold) are Alemi and Hawii, two teenage girls looking to set themselves apart from their teammates in Bekoji and move on to compete at the national level. [Synopsis courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival]