This innovative documentary delves into the life and art of Nellie Mae Rowe, a self-taught Black artist from rural Georgia. Blending archival footage, interviews, and animation, directors Ringbom and Stillwell bring to life Rowe’s vibrant creations and her journey toward recognition in the art world. The film celebrates her unique voice and the cultural context that shaped her work, offering a compelling portrait of creativity and perseverance. With this screening, we celebrate the opening of CIA’s Black Scholars and Artists’ exhibition Back in the Dayz, which displays a series of artworks responding to the theme of “nostalgia” and what that looks like through the memories of black personhood. Cleveland premiere.