Laura Checkoway

Laura Checkoway (2018) is a journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn. Her most recent documentary short, “Edith+Eddie,” is nominated for a 2018 Academy Award. The film has won numerous awards including the International Documentary Association’s Best Short Award, Best Documentary Short at Palm Springs International ShortFest, and Best Documentary Short at Hamptons International Film Festival. The film is executive produced by Steve James (“Hoop Dreams,” “Abacus”) and Cher. Laura’s award-winning debut documentary “LUCKY” screened at festivals across the globe and is now available online.

With a background in journalism, Laura penned revealing celebrity profiles and investigative features for numerous publications and she co-authored the acclaimed book “My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy” as well as the New York Times best-seller “My Voice: A Memoir” by Angie Martinez.

During her time at the Carey Institute, Laura will work on a documentary film (that she is developing with Thomas Lee Wright) reporting on financial elder abuse nationally with an emphasis on involuntary guardianships—including profiles of cases in a handful of states. On the heels of “Edith+Eddie,” this documentary follows up with a broader look at elder rights and guardianship abuse across the U.S.