Biography

BERNARDO RUIZ is a two-time Emmy® Award-nominated documentary director/producer and member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He has directed and produced four feature documentaries through his production company, Quiet Pictures. He has also directed and produced a host of nonfiction programming (including docu-series) for outlets as varied as Disney+, ESPN, HBO, VICE and PBS. His credits as director include THE INFINITE RACE (ESPN’s 30 for 30, 2020), HARVEST SEASON (Independent Lens, 2018), KINGDOM OF SHADOWS (PARTICIPANT MEDIA, POV, 2016), and REPORTERO, (POV, 2013).

On the television side, Ruiz wrote, directed and produced ROBERTO CLEMENTE (American Experience, 2008) which was awarded the NCLR (now UnidosUS), “Alma” Award for “Outstanding Made for Television Documentary." He also created, directed and executive produced the two part bilingual PBS series, THE GRADUATES/LOS GRADUADOS (Independent Lens, 2013). Edutopia called it “a winner that should be seen by as many students, teachers and parents as possible.” Most recently, he wrote, directed and produced the 2020 election special, LATINO VOTE: DISPATCHES FROM THE BATTLEGROUND.

Ruiz frequently serves as a mentor to emerging makers and has recently worked with Firelight Media, DCTV and the the Future of Science Fellowship to support new documentary makers. In the fall of 2015, Ruiz was a filmmaker-in-residence at the Investigative Reporting Program (IRP) at the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Previously he served on the board of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP). He currently serves on the advisory board of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.