"Watermelon Woman" follows the story of Cheryl (Cheryl Dunye), a 20-something Black lesbian woman trying to make a documentary about Fae Richards, a beautiful — but completely forgotten — Black actress from the 1930s. However, when Cheryl’s relationship with a white woman and her interactions with minority communities are criticised by her best friend, Tamara, the filmmaker’s life is turned upside down. Meanwhile, her research into the life of Fae Richards ends up prompting new questions about herself and her own future.