Atlanta Jewish Film Festival – This World is Not My Own

A self-taught, poor Black artist and a wealthy Jewish gallerist form an unconventional bond, in this creatively rendered profile woven with Atlanta’s tumultuous history. Nellie Mae Rowe’s whimsical folk-art—colorful drawings, paintings, sculptures, dolls, and everyday items—reflect her Jim Crow South experiences and heritage. Crafting away unnoticed in 1970s Vinings, her life changes when Judith Alexander, daughter of a segregationist lawyer, becomes her greatest advocate in the art world. Their story intersects with the Leo Frank and Atlanta child murders cases, echoing the racism and unrest that shaped Rowe’s early years. Innovative 3D motion-capture and animations of Rowe’s works, alongside interviews and historical materials, enrich this tribute to a fiercely self-determined spirit.