The Nana Project

On the surface The Nana Project follows Nana Helen Lewis, a feisty chess master, and her grandsons as they hit the road to support her bid at the state championships. In my own words, a road trip becomes a training ground for ambition and connection as Nana's sharp mind and stubborn heart pull the younger players into a high stakes game of family dynamics. The trip throws up detours, puzzles, and small victories that test patience and pride in equal measure. While the humor comes from mismatched personalities and comic misreads, the heart stays steady on Nana's stubborn insistence on dignity, discipline, and joy found in strategy.

Directed by Robin Givens, The Nana Project presents an original screenplay by Eric Ulloa. Released in 2023, the film showcases Mercedes Ruehl as Nana alongside Nolan Gould, Will Peltz, Tony Todd and Sierra McCormick in a warm comic road trip.

Box office data for this indie release are not widely reported and the film circulated mainly through limited venues and streaming discussions.

Reception has leaned into the film as a heartfelt comedy about aging and legacy, with humor derived from chess metaphors and family disagreements that soften into understanding. Themes of mentorship, resilience, and staying true to personal goals anchor the light tone.