Vanessa Hudson is an award-winning New York based filmmaker whose storytelling spans documentary, branded content, and unscripted television. She made her directorial debut with Foul Play: Dutee (2018) for the Olympic Channel - a festival-acclaimed short documentary that premiered globally. She went on to direct, executive produce, and showrun multiple original series for the Olympic Channel, including the immersive Taking Refuge, which earned Best Director and Best Documentary Feature at the Jaipur International Film Festival, along with Telly Gold and critics’ awards.
As former creative lead at VICE Media’s branded content studio, Vanessa spearheaded campaigns for New Balance, Japan National Tourism Organization, Ford, Hewlett-Packard, PayPal, and Laurel Road. Her standout series I’m Also a Doctor (Laurel Road x VICE) received a Digiday Video & TV Award for Best Brand Film Series, multiple Gold Addys, and Silver recognition at the New York Festivals.
Her portfolio also includes documentary projects such as By Her Rules, Take the Podium, Norway Skate Ban, Inspired by Sport, and Hunting the Next Global Virus, highlighting her curiosity and ability to connect with diverse human experiences. Most recently, she developed and directed a family-adventure competition pilot filmed in Glacier National Park, blending conservation themes with cinematic storytelling.
Outside her filmmaking practice, she gives back through Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, teaching horsemanship to individuals with disabilities and vulnerable populations—a testament to her belief in storytelling’s power to connect, inspire, and create change.
AWARDS
Telly Awards - Branded Content Series, Unscripted - SILVER
Telly Awards - Branded Content, Short Documentary - BRONZE
Digiday Video & TV Awards - Best Brand Film Series
New York Addy Awards - Branded Content Campaign - GOLD
New York Addy Awards - Cinematography - GOLD
New York Addy Awards - Single Webisode - GOLD
New York Addy Awards - Web Series - GOLD
New York Festivals TV & Film Awards - Documentary Profile - SILVER
New York Festivals TV & Film Awards - Branded Documentary - SILVER
Realscreen Nominee - Short Form Non-Fiction Series
Webby Award 2021 - Video Series & Channels/Sports
Webby Award 2018 - Video for Sports Channels
Shorty Awards - Winner in publishing, Finalist in Sports, Gold Distinction in Storytelling
Telly Awards - Online Series & Documentary - GOLD
Telly Awards - Online General Social Impact - SILVER
Email: vanes.hudson@gmail.com
Tele: + 1 516 987 0891