NYT Op-Docs Acquires Award-Winning Short 'Listen' — SkimNews
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- New York Times Op-Docs acquired the 15-minute documentary Listen, directed by Taliesin Black-Brown, adding it to its 2026 slate of awards-contending films.
- Taliesin Black-Brown directed Listen, a film inspired by time spent with Hank Lentfer in the Alaskan rainforest, exploring themes of connection, listening, and ecological belonging.
- Greg M. Moga III executive produced and produced Listen, noting the film evolved from a focus on declining bird populations to a more intimate human story about care and presence.
- Sam A. Davis, an Academy Award winner, served as producer on Listen, contributing to the film’s development and production alongside Bray’s Run Productions.
- Listen premiered at the Tribeca Festival in June, where it won Best Documentary Short, and later won Best Experimental Documentary at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
- Alexandra Garcia, executive producer of Op-Docs, praised Listen for making the climate crisis feel personal and universal through its visual and sonic craftsmanship.
Why it matters: Op-Docs’ acquisition gives *Listen* a major platform, amplifying a story that reframes climate and caregiving narratives through intimate, sensory storytelling. For independent filmmakers, inclusion in this Oscar-winning series increases visibility, awards traction, and audience reach during a critical cultural moment around attention and ecological awareness.
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