Emmai Alaquiva Earns BronzeLens Award for Top Short Documentary. Photo Credit: Paul Biagui
Director Emmai Alaquiva, The Ebony Canal
A film by Emmai Alaquiva, narrated by EGOT winner Viola Davis, featuring Ms. Tina Knowles, Elaine Welteroth, Charles Johnson, Dr. Lamman Rucker, and health experts
Every filmmaker in this room, please create with purpose in mind. When you think of The Ebony Canal, think of a journey that we all have to be on. We are all vessels.”— Emmai Alaquiva, The Ebony CanalATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, September 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Maternal & Infant Health has been named Best Short Documentary at the 2026 BronzeLens Film Festival. Now in its 17th edition, BronzeLens functions as an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences qualifying festival in the Short Film Awards category, featuring over 150 Official Selections from a dozen countries. The prize was revealed on Sunday, August 30 during the BronzeLens Awards Show held at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.
The recognition arrived just two days after The Ebony Canal delivered its urgent message to an Atlanta audience. The award-winning documentary screened on Friday, August 28 at the Tara Theatre, followed by a compelling panel discussion that explored the Black maternal and infant health crisis and the collective efforts needed to save lives.
Grammy-winning artist and actress LeToya Luckett-Coles led the conversation, joining six-time Emmy Award-winning director Emmai Alaquiva alongside a distinguished group of advocates, medical experts, and cultural voices who translated the film’s message from the screen into the community.
Among the panelists were Dr. Lamman Rucker, actor and “dadvocate” recognized for Why Did I Get Married?, Greenleaf, and The Black Hamptons; Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms and a nationally acknowledged advocate for maternal health and fathers; Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Morehouse School of Medicine, and Senior Health Advisor at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality; and Nzinga Imani, actress and advocate known for portraying Angela in Tyler Perry’s Zatima and Sistas.
While accepting the film’s newest accolade, Alaquiva highlighted the stark disparities that inspired The Ebony Canal and issued a direct appeal to fellow storytellers.
“Black and brown women are dying three times that of their white counterparts. Black and brown babies are dying two and a half times that of their white counterparts, and yet 84 percent of this is preventable,” Alaquiva stated.
“Every filmmaker in this room, please create with purpose in mind. When you think of The Ebony Canal, think of a journey that we all have to be on. We are all vessels. We can’t sit and let Black women and Black babies die.”
This award adds to a growing collection of honors and national momentum for The Ebony Canal. In May, the documentary captured three top prizes at the 2026 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase: Best Documentary, Best First-Time Director, and Best Editing.
Beyond the awards circuit, The Ebony Canal is cultivating a movement centered on storytelling, advocacy, and action. Through screenings at universities, national conferences, and community events in collaboration with maternal and infant health organizations, the film is turning awareness into engagement—linking audiences with local birth workers, health professionals, and advocates working on the front lines to improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
With each screening, The Ebony Canal reinforces its core message: the Black maternal and infant health crisis is preventable, and everyone has a part to play in changing the outcome.
About The Ebony Canal
Directed by six-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by EGOT winner Viola Davis, The Ebony Canal examines the Black maternal and infant health crisis through the lived experiences of Black mothers, advocates, and leading healthcare professionals. Featuring appearances by former Vice President Kamala Harris, Ms. Tina Knowles, Elaine Welteroth, Charles Johnson, and Dr. Lamman Rucker, with creative contributions by Keke Palmer, the film calls for systemic change to ensure every Black mother has the opportunity for a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth. Honors include the 2026 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form Documentary, two Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, three Webby Awards, and five Telly Awards. Produced by Ya Momz House, Inc. Executive Producers: Brenda Gilbert, Lekha Singh, Sanjay Rawal, and Sam Reiman. Original music by Grammy-nominated composer Bud’da (Stephen Anderson). theebonycanal.com
About BronzeLens Film Festival
BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia, is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 that is dedicated to bringing national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color. Founded by Kathleen Bertrand, the festival is now in its 17th year and has been an Academy Award qualifying festival in the short film category since 2016. Official Hashtag: BronzeLens2026, www.bronzelens.com
Media Assets
Press Kit: Film Deck, Teaser, Director’s Bio, Movie Poster, Synopsis
The Ebony Canal Awards and Impact
Media Contacts
Priscilla Clarke | Clarke PR Global | priscilla@clarkepr.com | 202-723-2200
Dimitra Geneva | The Ebony Canal PR Team | dimi@dimitrageneva.co | 717-319-7053
Social: @TheEbonyCanal | @emmai_alaquiva | theebonycanal.com | emmaialaquiva.com
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The Ebony Canal Trailer
