Emmai Alaquiva, the Emmy-winning director and Pittsburgh native, has added another accolade to his impressive résumé: two prestigious Webby Awards for his powerful short documentary, The Ebony Canal. Narrated by EGOT winner Viola Davis, the film sheds light on the urgent crisis of Black maternal and infant health in the United States.
A Film with Purpose
The Ebony Canal weaves together the birthing journeys of four Black families, combining personal narratives with hard-hitting data and insights from national leaders like former Vice President Kamala Harris, advocate Kimberly Seals Allers, and doula Latham Thomas. The film aims to inspire systemic change in maternal care and has been featured at major festivals including Sundance, the Pan African Film Festival, and the Joburg Film Festival in South Africa.
The documentary was made possible through support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. It also boasts an acclaimed production team, including executive producers Brenda Gilbert (BRON Studios), Sanjay Rawal (Food Chains), and Lekha Singh (Beyond Right & Wrong).
A Global Impact
The film's success places it alongside global powerhouses like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar in the Webby Awards' winner circle. As Alaquiva noted on Instagram, The Ebony Canal is now a 3x Webby Award-winning film, highlighting its significant impact and reach.
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