CHICAGO, (October 10, 2023) –The Lincoln Presidential Foundation announced today that its first documentary film series, Warning Signs: Lincoln's Response to Rising Tensions in the 1850's, has won a Mid-America Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The winners were announced during the 47th Mid-America Regional Emmy Awards held in Branson, Missouri on September 30.
The documentary film project won the Emmy for Informational/Instructional – Long Form Content. This Mid-America Emmy joins an additional three national awards the Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s documentary series has received, including Gold and Silver Telly Awards and an Award of Distinction from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts in New York. The series’ several awards are a true testament to the thought-provoking content and high-quality filmmaking of the project.
The film series comprises four succinct yet impactful films and features a diverse group of experts who compare and contrast the historical and political contexts of the 1850s and the struggles, debates, and norms of today. At its core, the overarching theme of Warning Signs resonates deeply with the ongoing, and at times challenging, evolution of our nation’s journey toward an ever-elusive “more perfect union.”
On the heels of this fourth award for Warning Signs, the Foundation is looking toward its next series, “Fortifying Our Democracy,” set to release on October 12. This second documentary series focuses on the events and ideas captured in Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum Address and how they can inspire engaged citizens today.
“We’re grateful to Iron Mountain for their generous support of these projects. It’s a delight to be able to produce our documentaries with the talented people of The Storyteller Studios,” said Erin Carlson Mast, President and CEO of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. “Winning the Mid-America Emmy is a great honor and achievement, but also a continued testament to the quality of storytelling and timeliness of our messages on Lincoln’s legacy.”
"From the outset of the Warning Signs project we knew it had the potential to be a really special body of work. The Lincoln Presidential Foundation delivered an engaging and powerful documentary series, and we are thrilled to see their work recognized,” said Jennifer Grimaudo, Senior Director of Sustainability at Iron Mountain.
"An organization of the caliber of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation could pull collaborators from just about anywhere,” said Josh Hester, Principal and Executive Director, The Storyteller Studios. “It truly is an honor for us to have been invited to do this work with Erin, her team, and the incredible scholars of Lincoln featured in this series. We learned a ton ourselves and we’re grateful to have been a part of helping students of all ages across the nation understand this critical period in American history.”
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1955. It is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational, and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award. Established in 1962, NATAS Mid-America is one of 19 regional chapters and its awards are intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence for those working in the television and digital media industry. By highlighting exemplary accomplishments across cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news, informational programming, and craft, these awards contribute significantly to the elevation of standards and the fostering of public awareness.
About the Lincoln Presidential Foundation
Established in 2000, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity headquartered in Illinois. It is the only national foundation focused on increasing access to history, educational programs, exhibits, and sites highlighting the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The Foundation does its work in cooperation and partnership with others locally, nationally, and globally. Its vision is a world where freedom and democracy flourish, inspired by the life and work of Abraham Lincoln.