Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project


Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project is a 2023 documentary film directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson. It explores the life and career of American poet Nikki Giovanni.
It had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, and was released in a limited release on November 3 by HBO Documentary Films prior to its broadcast on HBO on January 8, 2024.

Summary

The film covers American poet Nikki Giovanni's life and the historical periods she lived through from the civil rights movement and Black Arts Movement to Black Lives Matter. It was narrated by actress Taraji P. Henson.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20. It received the Grand Jury Prize award for U.S. Documentary Competition. The film was also screened at the 2023 True/False Film Festival. In August, HBO Documentary Films acquired U.S. and Canada television and streaming rights to the film. It was released in a limited release on November 3 of the same year. The documentary was broadcast on HBO on January 8, 2024.

Critical reception

The film was Oscar short-listed in the and won the prestigious Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding .