Vera Drew
Vera Drew | |
|---|---|
Drew in 2019 | |
| Born | May 22, 1989 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Notable work | |
| Website | https://veradrew.com |
Vera Drew is an American filmmaker, actress, and comedian.[1] She is best known for her film The People's Joker, which she directed, wrote, produced and starred in.
Early life
Drew was born in Chicago, Illinois.[2] As a teenager, she studied improv comedy through a Second City youth pilot program.[1]
Career
Drew has worked in entertainment television since 2009, including work as an editor for On Cinema, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Who Is America?. In 2019, Drew was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming for her work on the series Who Is America?.[3]
The crowd-funded film The People's Joker, which was directed by and stars Drew as The Joker, debuted at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.[4]
Personal life
Drew is a transgender woman and resides in Los Angeles.[1]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Editor | Actress | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | The People's Joker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Joker the Harlequin/Vera | |
| 2024 | Castration Movie | No | No | No | No | Yes | Persephone | [5] |
| Carnage for Christmas | No | No | No | Yes | No | — | Post-production | |
| 2025 | Every Heavy Thing | No | No | No | No | Yes | Alex |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Editor | Other | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Birthday Boys | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
| Nathan for You | No | No | Yes | DIT; 8 episodes | |
| Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories | No | No | Yes | DIT; 1 episode | |
| 2013–16 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | No | Yes | Yes | Editor; 62 episodes DIT; 20 episodes |
| 2014 | Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule | No | No | Yes | DIT; 5 episodes |
| 2017 | Joe Mande's Award-Winning Comedy Special | No | Yes | No | TV special |
| 2018 | Alone Together | No | Yes | No | 4 episodes |
| Who Is America? | No | Yes | No | 7 episodes | |
| 2019 | KRFT PUNK'S Political Party! | No | Yes | No | TV special |
| Two Pink Doors | No | Yes | No | — | |
| 2020 | Beef House | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
| An Evening with Tim Heidecker | No | Yes | No | TV special | |
| 2021 | I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson | No | Yes | No | 6 episodes |
Web series
| Year | Title | Director | Editor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017, 2021 | On Cinema | Yes | Yes | Editor; 10 episodes (2017) Director; 10 episodes (2021) |
| 2018–19 | An Emmy for Megan | No | Yes | 12 episodes |
| 2019 | Tim and Eric Qu?z Game | Yes | No | 6 episodes |
| I Love David | Yes | No | 6 episodes | |
| Scum | Yes | No | 6 episodes | |
| 2021 | Rock House | No | Yes | — |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming | Who Is America?[a] | Nominated | [6] |
| 2023 | Chicago International Film Festival | Gold Q-Hugo | The People's Joker | Nominated | [7] |
| L.A. Outfest | Special Mention, North American Narrative Feature | Won[b] | [8] | ||
| Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival | Best Feature Narrative | Won | [9] | ||
| Seattle Queer Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Won | [10] | ||
| 2024 | Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Milos Stehlik Award for Breakthrough Filmmaker | Nominated | [11] | |
| Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Director | Won | [12] | ||
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | New Generation Award | Won | [13] | ||
| Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Debut Feature | Won | [14] | ||
| Toronto Film Critics Association Awards | Best First Feature | Nominated | [15] | ||
| 2025 | Austin Film Critics Association Awards | Best First Film | Nominated | [16] | |
| Robert R. "Bobby" McCurdy Memorial Breakthrough Artist Award[c] | Won | [16] | |||
| Dorian Awards | "We're Wilde About You!" Rising Star of the Year | Nominated | [17] | ||
| LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer | Nominated | [17] | |||
| Independent Spirit Awards | John Cassavetes Award | Nominated | [18] |
Notes
- ^ Nominated alongside Eric Notarnicola, Roger Nygard, Mark Davies, Matt Davis, and Jeremy Cohen.
- ^ Shared with Erica Tremblay for Fancy Dance.
- ^ Shared with Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing), Mikey Madison (Anora), Katy O'Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), and Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge).
References
- ^ a b c Alter, Rebecca (April 12, 2024). "A Joker by the People, for the People". Vulture. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "The People's Joker". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ "The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Announces The 71st Annual Primetime Emmy® Award Nominations". Emmy Online. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ Adams, Sam (September 14, 2022). "The Trans Joker Movie Is a Sight to See. Too Bad It Might Never Be Seen Again". Slate. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ T, Amber (May 24, 2023). "Exclusive: Meet The Cast Of Louise Weard's New Six Hour Epic". Fangoria. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ n.a. "Outstanding Picture Editing For Variety Programming - 2019". Emmys. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ Sanders, Kyle (October 23, 2023). "The 59th Annual Chicago International Film Fest -- That's a Wrap!". Ksanders Writes. 107.1 Chirp Radio. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Daniel. "Outfest 2023: And the Winners Are..." Out. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "Oslo/Fusion Jury Award winners 2023". Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival. 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Strangeways, Michael (October 23, 2023). "Seattle Queer Film Festival Wraps Up Live Screenings But Online Festival Continues…Also, The Award Winners!". SeattleGayScene.com. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Haskell, Christopher (December 11, 2024). "Oscars Watch: 2024 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards". Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary; Kirsten Chuba (December 2, 2024). "2024 Gotham Awards: A Different Man Wins Best Feature as Nickel Boys, Sing Sing Each Take Two". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Richlin, Harrison (December 8, 2024). "Anora Wins Best Picture from Los Angeles Film Critics Association — Winners List". IndieWire. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Awards (28th Annual)". Online Film Critics Society. January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ "Nickel Boys Leads 2024 TFCA Awards Winners". Toronto Film Critics Association. December 15, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Whittaker, Richard (January 6, 2025). "Austin Film Critics Association Picks Anora As Year's Best Film". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ a b "2025 Dorian Film Awards". GALECA. Archived from the original on February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Richlin, Harrison; Alison Foreman (February 22, 2025). "The People's Joker Filmmaker Vera Drew Believes Mainstream Queer Representation Has Gotten 'So Stale'". IndieWire. Retrieved February 26, 2025.