Documentary Films
Mabel Osgood Wright: Pioneering Conservationist
This short documentary tells the virtually unknown story of Mabel Osgood Wright (1859-1934) who was a pioneer in the American Conservation Movement. Mabel founded the Connecticut Audubon Society and went on to establish “Birdcraft” the oldest privately-owned songbird sanctuary in America. She was the author of over 30 books, she was a professional photographer, and she founded the Fairfield Garden Club in CT. (18 minutes)
The Life and Gardens of BEATRIX FARRAND
This is the first documentary ever produced about the life and gardens of the most successful female landscape architect in early 20th century America. This compelling film chronicles the life of one of the founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Beatrix Farrand (1872-1959) who was the niece of Edith Wharton. Beatrix grew up in the privileged world of the East Coast elite and fought through the challenges of working in a male-dominated profession to successfully design over 200 landscapes during her remarkable 50-year career. Karyl Evans received a Historical Preservation Award from the Garden Club of America for her work on this film. (40 minutes)
For more information about this film and to book speaker/screening events visit: BeatrixFarrandDocumentary.com
The New Haven Green: Heart of a City
This documentary explores the rich history of New Haven, Connecticut through the lens of the New Haven Green, a public park which continues to be the center of civic, religious, educational, and commercial life in New Haven. (30 minutes)
Narrated by Paul Giamatti
3 Emmy Award Nominations
Grove Street Cemetery: City of the Dead, City of the Living
This documentary explores New Haven’s Grove Street Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark founded in 1797. The film takes a look at the cemetery’s historical significance, the people interred there, funerary art, landscape plantings, and the extensive community involvement with the site. (30 minutes)
2 Emmy Award Nominations
Letter From Italy, 1944: A New American Oratorio
This documentary tells the true story of a 10th Mountain Division World War II soldier who returns from war with PTSD and how his condition affects his relationships with his wife and family. The compelling narrative is told through the lens of the making of an oratorio (sung prayer) written by the soldier’s two daughters in 2013. (1 hour)
Narrated by Meryl Streep
1 Emmy Award
Letter From Italy, 1944: World Premiere Concert
This is the complete premiere performance of the Letter from Italy, 1944 oratorio performed by the GMChorale in 2013. The oratorio is based on the true story of how one soldier’s PTSD affected his relationships with his family when he returned home from war. Oscar Award winner Meryl Streep narrates a short documentary introducing the concert at the beginning of the program. (2 hours)
The History of African Americans in Connecticut: Colonial Era to Civil War
Narrated by Ozzie Davis, this documentary - the first part in a two-part series, recounts the significant events and individuals in the history of African Americans in Connecticut from the Colonial era to the Civil War. (1 hour)
The History of African Americans in Connecticut: Civil War to Civil Rights
Narrated by Ruby Dee, this documentary - the second part in a two-part series, chronicles the significant events and individuals in the history of African Americans in Connecticut from just after the Civil War to the Civil Rights era. (1 hour)
3 Emmy Awards
The Road to Freedom: Connecticut's African American Freedom Trail
This documentary takes viewers along the African American Freedom Trail in Connecticut. The film highlights the significant people and events that helped move the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality forward in the state. (40 minutes)
1 Emmy Award
Connecticut and its Cities: Three Centuries of Change
This documentary - the first part of a two-part series, recounts 300 years of growth and change in Connecticut cities from the Colonial era to modern times. (1 hour)
1 Emmy Award Nomination
Connecticut and its Cities: The Challenge of Renewal
This documentary - the second part of a two-part series, explores the challenges facing Connecticut cities today and what city residents and government are doing to resolve them. (1 hour)
1 Emmy Award Nomination
The Rise and Fall of Newgate Prison: A Story of Crime and Punishment in Connecticut
This documentary recounts the history of crime and punishment in Connecticut through the prism of New-Gate Prison, Connecticut’s oldest prison and a National Historic Landmark, founded in 1773. (1 hour)
Award of Merit, American Association for State & Local History
Award of Merit, Connecticut League of History Organizations
1 Emmy Award Nomination
The Amistad Revolt: All We Want is Make us Free
This documentary tells the dramatic story of the Amistad captives who, after being kidnapped, committed mutiny onboard the schooner Amistad in 1839, then were put on trial, and ultimately won their freedom in a famous U.S. Supreme Court Case. (33 minutes)
Silver Gavel Award (National Award) American Bar Association
Tribute Awards Videos
Award Videos for the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Annie Leibovitz
Jane Pauley
Full list of CWHF Tribute Films by Karyl Evans
(click on name to watch video)
2022
Cora Lee Bentley Radcliffe
Jennifer Rizzotti
Lhakpa Sherpa
Susan Whaley
2017
Kristen Griest (not available)
Ruth Lucas
Regina Rush-Kittle
Short Documentary Films
Connecticut's Cultural Treasures
Shore Line Trolley Museum
Grove Street Cemetery
Full list of Connecticut's Cultural Treasures Films by Karyl Evans
(click on site to watch video)
New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Connecticut Youth Orchestra Festival
This documentary takes viewers inside the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural Connecticut Youth Orchestra Festival. This video was successfully used in a NEA grant application by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra to secure future funding. (9 Minutes)
Noah Webster: Schoolmaster of America
This museum orientation film for the Noah Webster House Museum brings to life the major contributions of one of America’s founding fathers - Noah Webster, using actors, historical locations, first person quotes, archival documents, and narration. (16 minutes)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Connecticut
During the Civil Rights era, Dr. Martin Luther King visited a number of Connecticut towns including New Haven, Bridgeport, and Middletown. His influence in the state during that turbulent time is recounted by the people who remember his substantial impact. (9 minutes)
1 Emmy Award Nomination
Marketing Spots
CPTV
Over 500 Marketing Spots for clients including: Newman’s Own Foundation, AARP, Anthem, CT Council on Developmental Disabilities, KBE Building Corporation, Carvel, Oakdale Theatre, Connecticut Forum, Bushnell, Rizzuto’s, Warner Theater, Faith Middleton Events, Carla’s Pasta, Society of Civil Engineers, Webster Bank, Big Y, Richard Turlington Architects, Mark Twain House, Infinity Hall, Wisdom House, Connecticut Science Center, Palace Theater, People’s Bank, ProHealth Physicians, Connecticut Ballet, Columbia Dental, Lyman Orchards, Tanger Outlets, The Jackson Laboratory, and UCONN Women’s Basketball.
Carla’s Pasta
30 second marketing spot for Carla’s Pasta.
GoFundMe Videos
Letter From Italy, 1944 Concert, The Bushnell, Hartford, CT
Documentary Projects for Yale University
Yale School of Medicine
Ancient Art, Modern Science: 200 Years of Medicine at Yale
Documentary about the 200 year history of the Yale School of Medicine.
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
Creating the Peabody’s Torosaurus: Dinosaur Science, Dinosaur Art
This documentary follows the work of sculptor Michael Anderson as he brings a 21-foot Torosaurus dinosaur to life in the form of a life-size bronze sculpture for the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. (30 minutes)
1 Emmy Award
Yale School of Management
15 part series highlighting business leaders used by professors in the classroom.
Yale Divinity School
Series of videos for fundraising campaign.
Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Department, Yale University
Short documentary about Beatrix Farrand’s work on the Yale University campus.
Yale School of Management
Interviews for a future documentary on the history of the Yale School of Management.
Additional Video Projects
Community of Hope
Documentary tells the success stories of two clients supported by the work of the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven, Connecticut. (15 minutes)
Seniors Living a Quality Life
Ten part series about elder issues for Connecticut Public Television in Hartford, Connecticut. (1 hour each)
Making a Joyful Noise
A documentary about the making of James Baldwin’s play, The Amen Corner, at Long Wharf Theatre as experienced through the eyes of the participating actors, designers, and producers. Produced in partnership with WTNH, New Haven (ABC Affiliate) and Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, Connecticut. (1 hour)
The Gracie (National Award) Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television