Abbey Mecca is thrilled to announce that it has received two nominations at the 67th Annual New York Emmy Awards for TWO WARS: The Road to Integration, a documentary film we produced for the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.
For more than 40 years, the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park (BNP) has been a cornerstone of the Buffalo Waterfront, welcoming more than 70,000 visitors annually from all 50 states and 110 countries. This 501(c)3 organization has a mission to honor veterans, active military, and military families; educate people about the history and values of service and sacrifice in defense of freedom; inspire a sense of patriotism and appreciation in protecting the right to liberty and justice for all; and preserve the military artifacts entrusted to their care.
In 2022, the BNP approached Abbey Mecca to create a short video supporting a new original exhibit under development at the BNP. The exhibit, TWO WARS: The Road to Integration was created by Steven Tedesco, Education Director for the BNP. The exhibit covered the topic of segregation in the United States military and the important contributions African American service members have made and continue to make in defense of the United States. Recognizing the depth and importance of this story, our team pitched the idea of producing a 30-minute documentary film instead of the short video. This shift allowed for a more comprehensive and impactful narrative about segregation and integration in the military. Discover more about the documentary from the team behind its creation.
Abbey Mecca and BNP were both deeply passionate about telling this important story. The dedication exhibited by everyone involved in the production was evident in every aspect of the project. They worked tirelessly to ensure that the history and experiences of African American service members were preserved and highlighted. This commitment to conveying the message with integrity and respect reflects the values of both organizations and their shared mission to educate and inspire future generations.The film features interviews with military historians, authors, and African American veterans from World War II, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War who provide first-hand accounts of their personal and sometimes painful experiences while serving in the US Military.With a strong commitment to BNP’s mission to honor, educate, inspire, and preserve, the project aimed to reach a broader audience, including those who may not have the opportunity to visit the BNP in person.
Emmy Nominations
Since its premiere in January 2023, TWO WARS has generated significant viewership both online and on television and has been recognized with numerous awards, including three 2023 Telly Awards, five 2023 AAF Addy Awards, one 2023 Davey Award, and most recently, two Emmy nominations. The nominations received are part of the 67th Annual New York Emmy Awards in the following categories:
- Editing – Long Form Content
- Military – Short or Long Form Content
These nominations are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and the invaluable collaboration with BNP. Abbey Mecca is incredibly proud of this project and excited for what lies ahead as it continues to share this vital part of American history. Here is a link to watch Emmy-nominated TWO WARS: The Road to Integration.
