Cynthia Wade facts for kids

Cynthia Wade is an American filmmaker who directs, produces, and films movies. She is known for making documentaries, which are films about real people and events. Her work often explores important social issues.

Based in New York City, Wade has created many films, TV commercials, and online videos. She has won more than 40 awards for her work. In 2008, she won an Oscar, which is one of the highest honors in filmmaking. She was nominated for a second Oscar in 2013.

Early Life and Education

Cynthia Wade was born and grew up in the New York City area. Her great-grandfather, John Orr Young, was famous for starting the advertising company Young & Rubicam.

Wade went to Smith College for her first degree. Later, she earned a master's degree in Documentary Film Production from Stanford University. This is where she learned the skills to create her powerful films. She also studied directing at the National Theater Institute.

She has shared her knowledge by teaching filmmaking at The New School in New York. Wade also runs her own film company called Cynthia Wade Productions, Inc.

Career as a Filmmaker

Wade's career is filled with films that tell important stories about the world. She often focuses on topics that make people think and feel.

Shelter Dogs (2003)

In 2003, Wade directed and produced Shelter Dogs. This documentary takes a close look at animal shelters in the United States. It explores the difficult decisions workers have to make to care for animals. The film won several awards at film festivals and was shown on the HBO TV series America Undercover.

Freeheld (2007)

One of Wade's most famous films is Freeheld, which she directed in 2007. It tells the true story of Laurel Hester, a police officer from New Jersey who was very sick. Hester fought to make sure her female partner would receive her work benefits after she passed away. At the time, the local rules did not allow this.

The film shows Hester's brave fight for fairness and equality. Freeheld won 16 awards, including a special prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. For this film, Wade won an Academy Award in 2008.

In 2015, a major movie also called Freeheld was made based on her documentary. It starred famous actors like Julianne Moore and Elliot Page. Wade was a lead producer on this movie.

Other Important Films

• Born Sweet (2010): This short film is about a boy in Cambodia who gets sick from arsenic poisoning in the water. It won many awards and brought attention to this serious health problem.
• Mondays at Racine (2012): This film earned Wade her second Oscar nomination. It tells the story of a hair salon that helps women who are dealing with cancer.
• Selfie (2014): Wade worked with Dove to create this short film. It explores how social media affects the way girls and women see themselves. The film was very popular online, with over 7 million views.
• The Flagmakers (2022): Co-directed with Sharon Liese, this film looks inside a factory that makes American flags. It shows that many of the workers are immigrants who have come to the U.S. for a new life.

Filmography

Cynthia Wade has directed many films throughout her career. Here are some of her notable works.

Director

• 1999: Grist for the Mill (Documentary)
• 2003: Shelter Dogs (Documentary)
• 2007: Freeheld (Documentary Short)
• 2010: Born Sweet (Documentary Short)
• 2011: Growing Hope Against Hunger (TV Movie Documentary)
• 2012: Mondays at Racine (Documentary Short)
• 2014: Selfie (Documentary Short)
• 2016: Generation Startup (Documentary)
• 2018: Grit (Documentary)
• 2021: Sproutland (Short)
• 2022: Gutsy (TV Documentary Series)
• 2022: The Flagmakers (Documentary Short)