Cara Mertes is set to be honored at the 2018 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, POV Magazine reports. The director of the JustFilms initiative at the Ford Foundation will receive the Dog Mogul Award, a prize that “honors a peer in the industry who has made significant contributions to the art and business of documentary.”
Mertes previously served as director of the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program and Fund, and was an executive producer on PBS’ doc series “POV.” “Her work with the JustFilms initiative includes fostering an environment for inclusive independent filmmaking and encouraging the growth of emerging voices and media worldwide,” the source writes. Laura Poitras’ Oscar-winning Edward Snowden doc “Citizenfour” is among the titles that’s received support from JustFilms, as is Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis’ “Whose Streets?” which offers a look into the lives of everyday St. Louisans in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s fatal shooting by a police officer.
“Hot Docs is one of the most vibrant engines for momentum in the international independent documentary eco-system, and it’s a great honor to be recognized in their 25th year for work that has been, for me over that same period, both a calling and a professional trajectory,” said Mertes. The Emmy winner continued, “None of this has happened alone. I have been very fortunate to have been mentored and supported by extraordinary cultural and media leaders. Women in particular have been important role models,” she emphasized. “In turn, over my career as an independent media maker, in public media, in the non-profit world and now in philanthropy, I have tried to foster new opportunities and resources for underrepresented and transformative moving image makers and support visionary, inclusive leadership for the future of this work. I believe these are the stories and the leaders who are the key to creating a path through the current challenges the world faces.”
“Cara’s dedication to building a global non-fiction community and accelerating progressive change through filmic storytelling has been unparalleled,” added Ryan Harrington, acting director of industry programs for Hot Docs. “Her leadership and vision has led her to build new networks, champion hundreds of filmmakers, and empower and build thought-leading organizations around the world. Her contribution to the documentary film community has been invaluable, and we’re delighted to recognize her work with this award.”
Previous winners of the Doc Mogul Award include Debra Zimmerman (Women Make Movies), Ally Derks (IDFA), and Sheila Nevins (HBO).
Hot Docs’ 2018 edition will run from April 26-May 6. Mertes will receive her honor on April 30. The lineup for the fest hasn’t been revealed yet.
