EMILY RYDER is a Toronto-based producer and filmmaker who is dedicated to telling stories that explore the complexity of intergenerational relationships through the lens of queer becoming and womanhood.

In 2022 she was awarded the Emerging Filmmaker Award by the UN Women USA and was selected as one of ArtworxTO’s 52 Emerging Artists. Her work has been recognized by institutions like the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, Cinema Audio Society, and the Canadian Cinema Editors Association. And her short films have screened internationally at festivals like Edinburgh International Film Festival, the St John’s International Women’s Film Festival, and Toronto’s Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival.

As a writer/director, Emily is currently in various stages of development and pre-production for several short form projects with generous support from Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto.

As a commercial producer she has led the production of digital, broadcast, print, social, and out of home advertisements for brands like Nintendo, Kellog’s, Cadillac, GMC, Buick, Tim Hortons, Pizza Pizza, Hershey’s Canada, Cracker Barrel, Essence Cosmetics, GrubHub, Amazon Prime, New Era, CFL, Mitsubishi Canada, and more.

As a music video producer Emily is the recipient of the 2024 MVP Grant by Prism Prize and has overseen the development, funding, production, and distribution of 10+ music & performance videos funded through FACTOR Canada and the Radio Starmaker Fund.

Prior to producing, Emily worked as a production coordinator on a number of premium television shows for Amazon Studios, CBC, Starz, and Crave/Bell Media — experiences that have informed her people-first approach to leadership in film production.

Looking ahead, Emily hopes to continue to develop her creative voice within the landscape of contemporary Canadian film, television, and media, and when it’s not her turn to speak, she hopes to use her diverse skillset to amplify the voices of her peers.