Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild

Chad Brown
Five people with fishing poles and a pup standing in water.
The cast of the 2023 documentary "Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild."
The new documentary Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild follows five Black men on a fly fishing adventure into the Gates of the Arctic Circle National Park. Along the way, deep topics are discussed, such as finding their own space in nature and making sure that space is equitable and available for future generations. The UW Nelson Institute is hosting three screenings as part of the Tales From Planet Earth series, each with a Q&A featuring the film’s cast members (including James Edward Mills, a Nelson Institute lecturer and founder of the Joy Trip Project): 6:30 p.m., Sept. 16, UW South Madison Partnership; 5 p.m., Sept. 17, Lussier Family Heritage Center (with a fly fishing demo); and 6:30 p.m., Sept. 18, Union South-Marquee.
media release: “Where do I, as a Black man, fit in nature?” “How do we hold space in nature for our next generation of young men?” These are some of the questions posed by the new documentary Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild, which follows five men with five unique perspectives as they journey to the Gates of the Arctic Circle National Park.
The Nelson Institute’s Tales from Planet Earth film series is thrilled to host the cast of Blackwaters as they engage with the Madison campus and community, share their experiences, and offer free film screenings.
Join us on September 16, 17, or 18 for a free screening of the film and a chance meet the cast, including:
- Chad Brown, director and creative director, adventure photographer, cinematographer, and founder of Love is King
- James Edward Mills, producer and founder of the Joy Trip Project
- Jahmicah Dawes, owner and CEO of Slim Pickins Outfitters
- Nic Brooks, founder and CEO of Outdoor Gear and Beer, LLC
- Alex Bailey, founder and executive director of Black Outsince, Inc.
Schedule (all feature a Q&A with the cast)
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, 6:30–8 p.m., UW South Madison Partnership, 2238 S. Park Streethe cast.
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, 5–8 p.m., Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Road: Join us from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for outdoor activities and programming, followed by a screening of Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild and Q & A with the cast from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dane County Parks is hosting a morning of fly fishing instruction in advance of the movie screening.
Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, 6:30–8 p.m., Marquee Cinema at Union South, 1308 W. Dayton Street
Attendance is free for all events; secure your spot as seats are limited. Questions? Contact us at events@nelson.wisc.edu.