U.S.-Sierra Leonean film editor Stephanie Filo has achieved a historic milestone by winning a prestigious Emmy Award
Stephanie Filo made history as the first editor ever to receive nominations in a single year for three different shows – “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” and “History of the World Part II.” Furthermore, she is the first Black female editor to achieve three nominations in a single year. The Emmy victory came in the category of picture editing for variety programming for HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” where she collaborated with editors Malinda Zehner Guerra and Taylor Joy Mason.
Filo, a three-time Emmy, Peabody, and ACE Eddie Award-winning editor and dedicated activist, has not only made significant contributions in the editing room but has also been a prominent advocate for social causes. Beyond her screen accomplishments, she co-founded the impactful organization ‘End Ebola Now’ in 2014, aiming to disseminate accurate information and raise awareness about the Ebola Virus through community-driven artistic activism.
While Filo’s professional achievements are outstanding, her commitment to empowering Sierra Leonean girls is equally praiseworthy. Actively participating on the board of ‘Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone,’ a feminist-based organization focusing on uplifting girls aged 11-16, she contributes significantly to this cause.
Apart from her editing prowess in television and film, Filo dedicates substantial time to produce and edit documentaries and social action campaigns advocating for women and girls’ rights globally. Notable collaborations include initiatives with the United Nations, International Labour Organization, and the Obama White House Task Force’s ‘It’s On Us’ campaign targeting campus sexual assault.
Filo’s work on the news documentary series “Mental State” earned her an Emmy nomination for the episode “Aging Out,” shedding light on youth aging out of the American foster care system. Her exceptional contribution to the “Separated” episode, covering ICE deportations, secured her an Emmy win alongside Nzinga Blake, making them the first Sierra Leonean women to achieve this honor.
In 2021, Stephanie Filo and her team made history as the first all-Women of Color editing team to win the Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming for HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show.” The subsequent year, she was part of the pioneering all-black editing team nominated for and winning both an Emmy and an ACE Eddie for the same show.
Continuing her streak of breaking barriers, Filo made history once again in 2023 by becoming the first Picture Editor nominated for three different series in a single year at the Emmys. Additionally, she became the first Black editor to receive three nominations in one year, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the editing realm.
Stephanie Filo’s groundbreaking achievements and unwavering commitment to amplifying marginalized voices serve as an inspiration, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse entertainment industry.
