Most recently executive producer of documentary series Echo and co-producer on feature film Step; Claire Prieto has built a reputation for developing the talents of emerging filmmakers of colour in Canada. As producer of the New Initiatives in Film program at the National Film Board in the mid-nineties, she helped launch the careers of many women of colour.
In addition, she was the architect of The Special Mandate Team of Cultural Diversity at the NFB. The Special Mandate Team remains one of the most effective initiatives created for implementing diversity in a large media organization. Claire's unwavering belief in “passing it on” is shown in her commitment to building diversity in mentorships, apprenticeships and hiring on all her productions.
As founding president of the Black Film & Video Network, Claire approached the Canadian Film Centre to offer advanced training for filmmakers of colour. The Fall Lab was born and became one the CFC's most thriving initiatives, launching the careers of some of Canada 's most successful filmmakers and producers.
Claire has produced, line produced and production managed a variety of productions, including: Lord Have Mercy, Love Songs, Raizin' Kane and Exhibit A – Secrets of Forensic Science and the award-winning, Survivors . From 1988 to 1990, Claire co-directed the award-winning Black Mother Black Daughter and Older Stronger Wiser for the NFB.
As a partner in Prieto-McTair Productions in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Claire was producer, co-director, production manager and researcher on a number of award-winning documentaries, including: Some Black Women, It's Not an Illness, Home to Buxton, Jennifer Hodge: The Glory and the Pain.
Ms. Prieto has also received various awards for her work in Canada, including: Award of Merit - City of Toronto, Woman of Distinction – Arts & Entrepreneurship – YMCA Toronto, and the Industry Angel Award from the Reel World Film Festival.
Claire is presently a member of the Director's Guild of Canada, The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Women in Film & Television - Toronto .
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Presented by
Cynthia Reyes, WIFT-T Board member
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The WIFT-T Award of Distinction is bestowed at the discretion of the jury, and honours a distinguished industry leader. The leader is committed to the industry, and dedicated to building a vibrant, diverse and active community of storytellers.
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