The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England Chapter has recognized two acclaimed films from MIT with Emmy nominations. Both films, “We Are the Forest” and “No Drop to Spare,” showcase vital discussions on environmental and climate issues emerging from the MIT community.
Produced by MIT Video Productions (MVP) under MIT Open Learning, “We Are the Forest” stands among six nominees in the Education/Schools category. This documentary captures the cultural and scientific collaboration of the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, MIT Wind Ensemble, and MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble in the Brazilian Amazon. The journey featured in the film is part of the ongoing initiatives led by Frederick Harris Jr., a senior lecturer in music and the director of wind and jazz ensembles, to merge Brazilian music with environmental research.
Meanwhile, “No Drop to Spare,” created by the Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE), received nominations in both the Environment/Science and Video Essayist categories. This documentary, developed by John Freidah, MechE’s senior producer and creative lead, follows a research team from the K. Lisa Yang Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Center as they implement user-friendly smart irrigation technologies in Kenya, Morocco, and Jordan.
“We Are the Forest” chronicles the experience of 80 MIT student musicians who journeyed to Manaus, Brazil, in March 2023. Joining forces with Indigenous Brazilian musicians and activists, they crafted instruments from natural materials found in the rainforest and intertwined their musical experiences with the themes of nature and culture. The collaborative efforts concluded with the concert “Hearing Amazônia: Art and Resistance.”
Referring to the accomplishments of his team, Clayton Hainsworth, director of MVP, remarked, “We have an amazing group that is eager to share the incredible stories that unfold at MIT. Partnering with the Institute’s community on these video projects is a genuine delight. Each project offers students fresh perspectives while helping them engage with the world and understand its impact on their future endeavors.”
The making of the documentary involved Hainsworth as producer, Jean Dunoyer as director and editing staff for MVP, and Myles Lowery as the field production videographer. Hainsworth praised Dunoyer for distilling the film’s central themes: the universality of music as a shared human language, and the valuable lessons Indigenous communities impart regarding environmental challenges globally.
“This film showcases how MIT connects with the world and, equally, how the world influences MIT,” Hainsworth added, highlighting the generous support from A. Neil Pappalardo ’64 and Jane Pappalardo.
Freidah expressed a similar sentiment regarding “No Drop to Spare.” “This story resonated with me due to its potential for broad impact,” he noted, elaborating on the film’s global perspective. “The project was piloted across three unique locations, accommodating distinct end users and applications. As we delved into the storytelling, the true highlights emerged — our students and the tangible differences they are making in various communities.”
Freidah has collaborated with Amos Winter SM ’05, PhD ’11, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and principal investigator at the MIT GEAR Center, to showcase other impactful global initiatives, including a 2016 video on low-cost desalination systems in India titled “Water is Life.”
While the phrase “it’s an honor to be nominated” may sound cliché, it holds true in this context. Even though neither film won at the Emmy Awards ceremony, Freidah emphasized the importance of the journey and the recognition of their work.
“The effect we saw from this piece, particularly in showcasing our students, is a significant success story — it’s always gratifying to receive acknowledgment from the wider audience,” he stated.
The 47th Boston/New England Emmy Awards Ceremony took place on June 8 at the Marriott Boston Copley Place. For a complete list of nominees and winners, visit the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England Chapter website.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
