"conjure women" is a performance-based feature film documentary (1995) exploring the artistry and philosophy of african american female artists. they use their art expertise to recover the african traditions that their previous generations had to renounce. having grown up in the west they must fight to reclaim their "africanisms". the director demetria royals says it is "telling the story of african americans in our own distinct and self-defined voices. " it also looks at challenging the existing stereotypes of african american culture. it was first shown at the 1995 mill valley film festival and broadcast on national television in february 1997. it is funded by the corporation for public broadcasting and the national endowment for the arts. it lasts 85 minutes and is available on 16mm and video.