Alec Fischer
Alec Fischer is a documentary filmmaker and LGBTQ+ advocate based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His work primarily focuses on stories about people living in the Midwest region of the United States.[1]
He is the recipient of four Upper Midwest Emmy Awards from 8 nominations, and has been nominated for numerous national awards including a GLAAD Media Award and an EWA National Award for Education Reporting.
Early life and education[edit]
Fischer grew up in Edina, Minnesota and is a 2012 graduate of Edina High School. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before transferring to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he graduated in 2016.[2][3]
Early Career and LGBTQ+ Advocacy Work[edit]
In 2012, Fischer created his first documentary while a senior in high school. The 45-minute long film, titled Minnesota Nice?, presented real stories from students across the state of Minnesota talking about their experiences being bullied at school.[4] After graduating high school, Fischer toured across Minnesota and the Midwest region with the film, speaking to students and educators about creating safe school environments for all students.[5]
In 2014, he used his platform to lobby as a student advocate for the passage of the Safe And Supportive Schools Act at the Minnesota State Capitol. When passed, the legislation made Minnesota's policies towards bullying prevention among the strongest in the country.[6]
As a sophomore in college, Fischer co-drafted legislation to ban conversion therapy against minors in Minnesota.[7] Working with partners including GLAAD and Change.org, Fischer started a petition that gathered more than 100,000 signatures in support of the legislation being introduced and passed by Minnesota Senate and House Leaders.[8]
In 2014, Fischer was named a global Dalai Lama Fellow for his film and LGBTQ+ advocacy work.[9][10]
Career[edit]
Fischer was fired from his full-time marketing job in 2018, which he credits as the push for him to pursue filmmaking full-time.[11]
In 2020, Fischer directed and produced the short documentary BUJO: Rise of the Bullet Journal. The film explored the origin story of the Bullet Journal system and featured interviews with creator Ryder Carroll and users across the United States.[12]
Fischer's debut documentary series, Covid Confessions (2021-present), highlights pandemic stories from more than 300 workers across 40 industries impacted by COVID-19 in Minnesota.[13][14] The first 6 episodes of the series feature stories from nurses, teachers, grocery workers, drag performers, restaurant workers, and fitness professionals, and were published independently in 2021.[15] The series received national recognition, including being nominated for a 2022 GLAAD Media Award, an EWA National Award for Education Reporting, and being named as a 2021 global finalist for best "Digital Video Storytelling, Series" by the Online News Association.[16][17][18] The series was also nominated for 8 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards, winning 4 in October 2021.[19] The remaining episodes were scheduled for release in 2022–2023.
Filmography[edit]
Documentary Film[edit]
- Minnesota Nice? (2012)
- BUJO: Rise of the Bullet Journal (2020)
- Covid Confessions (2021-present)
References[edit]
- ^ "About". Fischr Media. Fischr Media LLC. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Zeck, Anna. "EHS student Alec Fischer's Documentary on Bullying". Edina Magazine. Tiger Oak Media. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "2015 Hawkinson Scholars: Alec Fischer". Hawkinson Fund for Peace & Justice. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Pfitzinger, Julie. "No more bullying". Star Tribune. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Vanderwerf, Linda (22 February 2013). "Considering 'Minnesota Nice'". West Central Tribune. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Condon, Patrick (3 March 2014). "Gay rights groups turn attention to bullying". Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Post, Tim (15 December 2013). "U of M students draft ban on 'gay conversion therapy'". MPR News. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Bolles, Alexandra (4 December 2013). "Student and politician team up to ban "ex-gay therapy" for kids". GLAAD. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "2014 Class of Dalai Lama Fellows". Dalai Lama Fellows. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "2015 Hawkinson Scholars: Alec Fischer". Hawkinson Fund for Peace & Justice. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "Finding Alignment In My Life After Being Fired". Youtube. TED: Ideas Worth Spreading. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "BUJO: Rise of the Bullet Journal (Short Documentary)". Youtube. Fischr Media. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Gray, Callan (4 February 2021). "Minneapolis filmmaker highlights essential workers through new docuseries". KSTP.com. 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Lindholm, J (12 October 2021). "GLAAD Media Institute Alum Alec Fischer Wins Four Emmys for Documentary Work". GLAAD.
- ^ Strate, Jeff (11 December 2021). "2021 regional Emmy winner 'Covid Confessions' carried by SWTV". Eden Prairie Local News. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "Covid Confessions". Online Journalism Awards. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Tapp, Tom (19 January 2022). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominations: HBO/HBO Max Leads With 19; Netflix Close Behind". Deadline. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "2021 Visual Storytelling (Smaller Newsroom)". Education Writers Association. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "Upper Midwest Emmys® | 2021 Emmy® Awards Nominees & Recipients Emmy Awards Nominees and Recipients". Midwest Emmys. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 12 June 2022.