The Festival Journey
Since its completion in 2024, The Ebony Canal has embarked on a dynamic festival run, drawing audiences into dialogue around one of the most pressing issues of our time. Screenings at community-based festivals, healthcare conferences, and national showcases have positioned the film at the intersection of art and advocacy.
Each stop on the festival circuit has been more than an exhibition—it has been a gathering space. Post-screening conversations, panel discussions with healthcare professionals, and community dialogues have turned screenings into forums for collective problem-solving and healing.
Why This Story Matters
Maternal health disparities are not new, but The Ebony Canal reframes the narrative. Rather than treating statistics as the story, the film highlights lived experience, weaving personal testimony with cultural history to create a portrait that is both intimate and systemic. It is a reminder that storytelling can shift policy by making the abstract visible, urgent, and human.
Collaboration at the Core
Director Emmai Alaquiva approached The Ebony Canal with a blend of artistry and activism. His vision was supported by a collaborative team—including YaMomzHouse Inc. and Ibis River Studios—ensuring that the film remained community-centered at every stage of production. This synergy of perspectives helped shape a documentary that is not just about maternal health but about dignity, justice, and the future of Black families.
Looking Ahead
As The Ebony Canal continues its festival run, the film is also laying groundwork for impact campaigns in schools, hospitals, and community organizations. The next chapter of the project will focus on making the documentary a tool for education and advocacy—expanding its reach beyond festivals and into the hands of those shaping maternal health policy and practice.
Closing Thoughts
The Ebony Canal stands as a cinematic call to action. It asks audiences not only to witness but to respond, to carry forward the urgency of saving Black mothers and babies. For Ibis River Studios, partnering on this project has been an extension of our mission: to tell stories that are not just seen but felt, not just remembered but acted upon.
