13 September 2016 Last updated at 12:19 BST
The Queen of Katwe tells how she dropped out of school early, but started playing chess aged nine, becoming a grandmaster. It stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyâ€™ongo and British-born Nigerian actor David Oyelowo.
She tells BBC Africa she hopes her life story will inspire others.
Video journalist: Horaci Garcia
Phiona Mutesi, who grew up at in Katwe slum in Ugandaâ€™s capital, Kampala, has become the subject of a Disney movie.