Members in Canada’s documentary field are mourning the loss of producer and colleague Tracey Friesen. She died on Monday, January 6, 2025 after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in September. She was 58. POV learned of the news via the NFB.
Friesen worked at the NFB’s Vancouver Studio for over a decade. During her time at the Board, she served as producer or executive producer on documentaries such as ScaredSacred, which won the Genie for Best Documentary Feature; Being Caribou, which won her a Gemini Award; and Chi, which won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Short Doc. Other credits included Mighty Jerome, Hadwin’s Judgement, and the David Suzuki doc Force of Nature.
“News of her passing comes as a painful blow to everyone who worked alongside Tracey during her 11+ years with the NFB in Vancouver, where she was a cherished colleague and wonderful spirit,” said Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB, in a statement from the Board. “As everyone who knew her can attest, she was a fantastic person, so full of energy and ideas and life, and her loss is keenly felt at the NFB.”
Friesen, a long-time Vancouver resident, was born on BC’s Central Coast. She was raised in Deep Cove. Her name was synonymous with the strength of BC’s documentary scene.
“Tracey was not only a remarkable force in the BC doc community, but she was also a deeply caring, community-building individual,” said Baljit Sangra, Chair of the NorthWest chapter of the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), of which Friesen was a longtime member. “Tracey’s light, passion, and dedication touched countless lives—whether as a mentor, advocate, or friend. Tracey’s unwavering belief in the power of film to ignite social change was at the heart of everything she did. She championed diversity and inclusivity, and her advocacy never faltered. We will miss her sparkle, her laugh, and her commitment to building connections. She lived her values every day, and her impact will continue to resonate in the many lives she touched.”
“Tracey’s kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to artists, social change and climate justice leaves those who knew her with a deep sense of absence,” added DOC’s Executive Director Sarah Spring. “Our thoughts are with Tracey’s family and loved ones.” Friesen’s work with DOC included authoring the 2014 report “Growing the Pie: Alternative Financing and Canadian Documentary.”
In 2016, Friesen published the book Story, Money, Impact: Funding Media for Social Change. The book provided a template for impact producing and using docs for social change. Following the success of the book, Friesen turned the guidance of Story, Money, Impact into a non-profit entity that shared its name. Story Money Impact continues to be a leader for impact producing in Canada, using the power of documentary to mobilize communities and as a tool for change via education, partnerships, and outreach.
“Tracey was a gifted community-builder and mentor – equal parts fearless, wise, and energetic – with an insatiable curiosity. Her forthrightness left no doubt about where she stood when it came to fighting for social and environmental justice,” Story Money Impact noted in a post on Facebook. “Tracey was continually uplifting the community around her. In addition to Story Money Impact, for over 10 years she was part of the producing team of the annual Media That Matters gathering…Tracey’s selfless passion for network building, knowledge sharing, and inclusion was boundless.”
Friesen moved on from her role at Story Money Impact, leaving it in the care of colleague Sue Biely, to assume the role of Managing Vice President of the BC branch of the Canadian Media Producers Association in 2020. She led the CMPA’s doc committee over the last five years.
“Tracey had a deep, even spiritual, connection to British Columbia—both the land and its people,” the CMPA’s Trevor Hodgson told Stir. “Drawing on this passion, she was an inspirational leader and strong advocate for BC’s independent producers, who was deeply engaged in her work, and extremely supportive of our CMPA-BC members.”
Friesen’s work in BC’s film scene included an active role at the Whistler Film Festival, wearing a variety of hats since the festival’s launch in 2001. “Tracey truly loved the festival and shared how much of a special place it held in her heart,” shared WFF executive director Angela Heck in a statement, noting that she and Friesen also worked together at the NFB. “I have relied on her insight, advice, and friendship for almost a quarter century. It is a personal and professional loss that reverberates through our community now. Her positive energy and decisive, thoughtful demeanour could cut to the heart of an issue with precision, clarity and kindness.”
The outpouring of support is proof that if anyone knew how to make an impact, it was Tracey Friesen.
