Bridge Between

As the Cleveland International Film Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, the documentary “And Again I Dream” preserves Ivy Young’s legacy of activism, identity and art.

Written by Isabella Mockbee

Art and politics have always been intertwined. Just as democracy makes people’s voices heard, film festivals provide platforms for underrepresented stories to be told. The Cleveland International Film Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring, showing a diverse collection of documentaries, films and shorts that reflect a wide range of identities and experiences.

“Film festivals are a good way for underrepresented stories to be brought to the world,” said Christopher Rayle, a production management professor and postproduction supervisor at TRG Multimedia. “There is such a huge selection of festivals now that it is very possible for a filmmaker to have their story told to the intended audience.”

In today's political climate, sharing the stories often overlooked in mainstream culture feels more urgent than ever.

“And Again I Dream” is a documentary short that tells the story of Ivy Young – journalist, activist, photographer and poet. Young’s work was shaped by her identity as an African American woman and lesbian.

Her activism began in the 1970s, when she traveled across the world to help with infrastructure development alongside the African Society for Cultural Relations in Independent Africa. She also participated in the Sixth Pan-African Congress and protested apartheid in South Africa with the Southern Africa Support Project while working for the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. 

Following her time in Africa, she began her work as a journalist. She started interviewing guests on WPFW Pacifica radio in the late 1970s. She later worked at WHUR-FM Howard University radio, where she focused on political journalism.

Her story does not end there. According to the film’s overview, “And Again I Dream” explores Young’s “life across queer generations, forging a bridge between memory, activism and identity.”

From the perspectives of her close friend Catherine Gund, her niece, Jade Keith, and history student, Mariah Norman, the film preserves Young’s legacy.

When asked what they wanted people to take away from this documentary, Norman said, “I think the thing I want people to most take away is the fact that a lot of the struggle for freedom and justice is something – it's about sowing seeds.” 

She continued by saying “still having a commitment to putting in that work, knowing that you might never get to see the fruition of it yourself, is an act of love for the future and the generations that have yet to come, and Ivy was so dedicated to that. It's the only reason that we've gotten to this point, because of the generations of people that have put in the work before us that haven't gotten to enjoy the liberties that we now have as Black people, as queer people, whatever marginalized group you want to put in there, as women.”

Norman emphasized that “it's an ongoing struggle – it's about passing the baton.”

Although Ivy Young is no longer living, it is time she receives her flowers for the incredible work she has done.