Film, News

The Ebony Canal Secures Three 2025 Webby Award Nominations – A Monumental Milestone!

BY William Andre Buchanan

April 9, 2025

In a momentous achievement, *The Ebony Canal*, the groundbreaking documentary directed by five-time Emmy Award-winning director Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by EGOT Winner Viola Davis, has been nominated for three 2025 Webby Awards! “Being recognized in just one category is a feat in itself, but to receive nominations in three categories is a testament to the film’s extraordinary impact, vision, and storytelling” said the 5-time Emmy winner. Out of the 13,000 projects submitted from across the globe, The Ebony Canal was selected as one of the top 12%, solidifying its place among the five best in its category worldwide.

This documentary is more than a film, it’s a movement. With powerful guest appearances from Kamala Harris, Lamman Rucker, and others, The Ebony Canal sheds light on critical issues surrounding maternal health, birthing justice, and the safety of mothers, birthing people, and their babies.

Having already been screened at the prestigious Sundance Festival, the Pan African Festival, and the Joburg Film Festival in South Africa, The Ebony Canal continues to make waves across the globe. And the journey isn’t stopping—next week, on April 13th, the film will screen in Atlanta in partnership with 4 Kira 4 Moms and AmeriGroup Georgia as part of a special Black Maternal Health Week screening. This event is yet another pivotal moment in the documentary’s mission to spark conversation, awareness, and action.

Right now, momentum is building! With over a 1.4 million total votes in for all categories, *The Ebony Canal* is currently in first place in two categories and second place in the other and will need a final blitz of votes to push across the finish line. A Webby win would not only be an incredible honor but would also serve as a catalyst to amplify the reach and influence of this crucial work.

At its core, The Ebony Canal is more than a documentary—it’s a call to action. It shines a light on the urgent and often overlooked realities of maternal health, birthing justice, and the systemic challenges faced by mothers and birthing individuals worldwide. Through powerful storytelling, expert perspectives, and voices from the community, this film fosters awareness, demands accountability, and pushes for change. Winning a Webby would help propel its message to an even wider audience, ensuring that these critical conversations remain at the forefront of public discourse. But beyond accolades, The Ebony Canal serves as a reminder that every mother, every birthing person, and every baby deserves dignity, safety, and care. This is a movement that belongs to all of us—one that requires collective action, advocacy, and unwavering support. The time to act is now.

For more information visit The Ebony Canal or vote directly below in the following categories: