Akron's Jessica Michael Davis brings home her film "Escaping Ohio"

Why it matters: Davis wrote, directed and stars in "Escaping Ohio," a film based on her life growing up in Akron.

Details: The film stars Davis as Sam, a high school graduate who must decide whether she wants to leave the comfort of her hometown to pursue her dreams.

• "Escaping isn't a bad thing," Davis tells Axios. "It's a good thing in that it shows how hard it is to leave because you love these people and this community around you."

Flashback: Davis began working on "Escaping Ohio" in 2020, releasing it first as a short film before deciding to do more with the characters.

• "So many people say they resonate with the film even if they're not from Ohio," Davis says. "The summer between high school graduation and college speaks to a lot of people when your whole life is ahead of you but you're still figuring it out."

The intrigue: Davis faced a choice herself back in 2014 when she received a full scholarship to study science at the University of Akron.

• Davis enrolled but eventually left for New York to pursue dancing and then acting.

State of play: Things come full circle tomorrow for Davis, who now resides in Los Angeles.

• "Most of my family still lives in Akron," Davis says. "It makes me emotional that I could inspire a younger person from my hometown."

What's next: Davis says she recently signed an agent and will be auditioning for various acting roles.

• She is also working on writing and directing two films, including one set in Ohio and another she'd like to film here.

If you go: Wednesday's premiere screening starts at 6:30pm.

• Tickets are $10.