Ian Daniel is a filmmaker, writer, curator and Emmy-nominated producer. He is an Ash Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. Daniel recently co-directed and produced There’s Something in the Water, a documentary film that explores the topic of environmental racism and shines a light on the Canadian government’s current and historical decisions to prioritize the profits of large corporations over the health of indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities. The documentary had its world premiere in 2019 at the Toronto International Film Festival and NETFLIX
He is the former Co-host and Executive Producer of the Emmy-nominated TV show GAYCATION, along with actor Elliot Page. An exploration of LGBTQ culture around the world, the series that had two seasons VICE TV, was nominated for an Emmy for both seasons and won the Imagen Foundation award “Best Informational Program” for creating positive portrayals of Latinos in the media. This earned him “OUT Magazine’s 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People” and “Winq Magazine (Attitude UK) Man of the Year” honors.
He reported on LGBTQ issues for VICE and began his journalism career as an Associate Producer and intern at TODAY on NBC in NY.
Daniel is also the former Director of Artistic Programs at The Civilians, a theater company in NY that derives work from intensive investigations into social and political issues and uses storytelling for social change. As a curator, he has organized several exhibits, multimedia events, public art projects, and cross-cultural programs at Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, Exit Art, LaMaMa Gallery, Storefront Bushwick, and the Waterpod Project in NYC.