Alison Duke

Alison Duke is an award-winning writer-producer-director and artistic activist, holding an MFA in Film Production from York University. She is a sought-after lecturer and has made significant contributions to Canadian media through documentaries and fictional storytelling. Her work focuses on resistance, social justice, and the Black community's cultural identity.

• Educations: MFA in Film Production, York University.

Her research and creative interests span documentary filmmaking, social/political narratives, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Notable projects include Mr. Jane and Finch (2020 Canadian Screen Awards winner), Cool Black North (Rogers' top 10 streaming show), and the Akua Benjamin Legacy Project, which supported Black female directors. Her fictional work Pledge Me (2020) explores HIV narratives and has won awards.

Alison advocates for equity in the film industry through initiatives like the OYA Emerging Filmmakers Program, empowering Black youth to access industry networks and training. Her films often intersect with historical activism, such as Through a Lens Darkly, which examines Black photography's role in cultural identity.

• Awards: Canadian Screen Awards (2020), Winston W. Moxam Award (2020).

She has collaborated with filmmakers like Andrew Nisker and Thomas Allen Harris, contributing to projects like Garbage: The Revolution Stars at Home and My Joan of Arc. Her career spans documentaries on hip-hop (Raisin’ Kane) and social issues (A Deathly Silence), showcasing her versatility as a storyteller.

• Labs/Teams: Founded the OYA Emerging Filmmakers Program to support Black youth in film.