New Castle County has earned two nominations in the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards for the short documentaries “Return to Hockessin #107C” and “Restless Ground: The Untold Story of Mt. Olive.” The projects were produced in partnership with Bowstring and 1440 Film Co., respectively.
County Deputy Director of Strategic Communication Kyle Grantham, who led production on both films beginning in late 2023, praised the recognition:
“I’m ecstatic that these stories have been recognized by our peers as worthy of Emmy consideration. Hundreds of hours went into each project, and I’m thankful for all the hard work and sacrifices by the teams at 1440 Film Co. and Bowstring Studios, as well as county staff, to make them a reality.”
Restless Ground: Honoring Forgotten Histories
“Restless Ground” examines the history of Mt. Olive Cemetery, the impact of institutional racism on those buried there, and the county’s work — alongside the Mother African Union Church and the Trust for Public Land — to restore dignity after decades of neglect. The film also follows one man’s decades-long commitment to the grounds, culminating in the discovery of his own family connection to the site.
The documentary was nominated in the Diversity/Equity/Inclusion – Long Form category, with producer Mike Pfeifer, director Kyra Knox, lead editor Avinash Chellappoo, and director of photography Hector Tapia joining Grantham and former county leaders as named nominees. Knox also received a separate nomination in the Branded Content category for her project “In Front of Cancer” for Johnson & Johnson.
Pfeifer called the nomination “deeply honoring,” noting that the story of Mt. Olive “deserves to be seen, heard, and remembered.”
Return to Hockessin #107C: A Pivotal Chapter in Civil Rights
“Return to Hockessin #107C” explores the history of Hockessin Colored School No. 107C, whose desegregation case played a key role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. Former students share their experiences following the school’s closure and integration, as well as the community’s efforts to preserve the historic building.
The film was nominated in the Historical/Cultural – Long Form category. Director Alexander Newman, producer Matt Sullivan, and lead editor Mark Lynch of Bowstring join Grantham and former county leaders as nominees. It is also an official selection at the Newark Independent Film Festival, where it will open the festival on August 14.
Newman described the project as “one of the most meaningful experiences” of his career, adding, “We can’t move forward without looking back.”
A Growing Legacy of Recognition
Winners will be announced at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards Ceremony in Philadelphia on September 20. This marks the county’s second and third nominations in the competition; in 2022, it won for “The Pathway Home” in the Societal Concerns – Long Form category.
Governor Matt Meyer praised the films, saying they “provide us with new perspectives through which we can understand our past, present, and future,” and congratulated the production teams for “uncovering important events in our county’s history.”
Both documentaries are available on New Castle County’s YouTube channel.
