Yara Shahidi to Executive Produce ‘Paint Me a Road Out of Here' Documentary (EXCLUSIVE)

“Black-ish” and “Grown-ish” star Yara Shahidi has signed on to executive produce the documentary “Paint Me a Road Out of Here,” which will make its world premiere at the DC/DOX Film Festival next month.

Directed by Catherine Gund, “Paint Me a Road Out of Here” features artists Faith Ringgold and Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter and “uncovers the whitewashed history of Ringgold’s masterpiece ‘For the Women’s House,’ following the painting’s 50-year journey from the Rikers Jail to the Brooklyn Museum in a heartbreaking, funny and true parable for a world without mass incarceration.”

Of the painting Ringgold has said: “The women wanted to be free, they wanted to be out of there of course but it was obvious to me that the reason many of them were there was because they had a lack of freedom in the first place. They were arrested for doing things for other people.” So she painted them a story about things even women and gender expansive people on the outside couldn’t be: doctor, minister, professional athlete, bus driver, president of the United States – breaking down the wall between “inside and outside.”

Variety exclusively announced that the doc – which is produced by Aubin Pictures, a nonprofit organization for filmmakers and activists – will make its world premiere on June 16 at the Washington D.C.-based documentary film festival.

Shahidi and her mother Keri Shahidi will executive produce the film under their 7th Sun Production banner, joining a filmmaking team that includes Gund (who also produced the doc), producer Tanya Selvaratnam, editor Arielle Amsalem, composer John Forté and animator Jaiquan Fayson.

“Faith Ringgold’s work and presence, has and will always be both timely and important,” stated Yara and Keri Shahidi, announcing their involvement. “Ringgold’s impact on the cultural fabric of global art and inspiration on Brown and Black women in the carceral system highlights in its truest sense that art matters.”

Community partners include Beyond Rosie’s, Brooklyn Museum, Close Rikers Campaign, New Museum, Silver Art Projects, Women’s Community Justice Association, Women’s Prison Association and Worth Rises.

CAA Media Finance represents the film’s worldwide distribution rights. CAA also represents Yara Shahidi and 7th Sun Productions.

Faith Ringgold and Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter in “Paint Me a Road Out of Here”

More from Variety