The documentary Prey, a moving and unflinching account of a sexual abuse survivor's legal fight against the Catholic Church, is winning awards for the film’s editor and co-producer Nick Hector, who teaches film production at the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts.

Prof. Hector was recently nominated for the Directors Guild of Canada Award for Best Documentary Editing for Prey.

Prey is also among the nominees recently shortlisted for the Windsor International Film Festival’s (WIFF) first annual Prize in Canadian Film. The winner will be announced after the festival, which runs Nov. 1 to 10 in downtown Windsor.

Earlier this year, Prey won both the Jury Prize and the Audience Award for Best Canadian Film at the Hot Docs festival. The jury called it a film with extraordinary access and a masterful edit, which was deliberate and exacting.

“The filmmaker had us in their grip from the first moment, leaving us with a heightened understanding of the lasting damage on innocent lives that can never be atoned for,” read the Hot Docs jury’s statement.

Linda Fong, independent production officer for documentaries at TVOntario, called Prey “truly special.”

“The response from the Hot Docs audience was powerful and overwhelming,” she said. “Many were moved to tears when the survivors in the film stood up to a standing ovation. Their courage and grace were humbling, and it was a privilege for us to help bring this important story to audiences across the country.”

The film was directed by Windsor-based Matt Gallagher, produced by Cornelia Principe, co-produced by Gallagher and Hector, who also edited it.

—Susan McKee