Tracey Friesen, a well-respected Canadian TV producer and media strategist, passed away at the age of 58. The news of her death was announced by the Whistler Film Festival, where she served as a board member. Friesen had been battling cancer since September 2024 before ultimately succumbing to the disease in Vancouver.
Friesen was remembered by her colleagues and friends in the British Columbia film community for her contributions to the industry. Prem Gill, CEO of Creative B.C., expressed her sadness at the loss of a dear friend and talented colleague, highlighting Friesen’s significant impact on the motion picture industry.
For the past five years, Friesen had been serving as the managing vice president of the B.C. branch at the Canadian Media Producers Association, advocating for independent producers in Canada. Reynolds Mastin, president and CEO of the CMPA, praised Friesen for her unwavering belief in the power of media to create positive social change.
Born in British Columbia and raised in Deep Cove, Friesen had an extensive educational background in radio and television, ultimately earning an MBA from Simon Fraser University. She began her career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. before moving on to roles at Rainmaker Digital Effects and the National Film Board of Canada.
Throughout her career, Friesen made a significant impact on the industry, working on projects such as Being Caribou, Scared Sacred, and Shameless: The ART of Disability. She was also honored by Women in Film & Television (WIFT) Vancouver as a Woman of the Year in 2013 and authored the book “Story Money Impact: Funding Media for Social Change” in 2016.
In her various roles, Friesen was known for her positive energy, decisive leadership, and commitment to driving social change through media. Her passing has left a void in the industry, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
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