Suzette Laqua is an Executive Producer, writer, speaker, and entrepreneur based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Known globally for her vision and leadership in digital storytelling, she collaborates on high-profile projects, including the Stan Lee feature film Werewolf and an upcoming American documentary produced by a Canadian production company. A Board Member of WebSeries Canada and international festival juror and panelist, Suzette has judged and contributed to festivals all over the world, inspiring creators and elevating storytelling with her insight, creativity, and commitment to innovation.
How many years have you been a judge?
10+ years
What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?
Judging for the The Telly Awards is both an honour and a privilege. It’s a meaningful opportunity to engage with exceptional work from around the world, support emerging voices, and help recognize excellence across the evolving television and digital media landscape.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first job in the industry was as a producer on an independent film. It taught me the power of following your vision and dreams, showing me that dedication, creativity, and persistence are what turn ideas into real success.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
For me, excellence in video comes down to storytelling first—work that feels authentic, intentional, and has a clear point of view. I look for a strong creative vision, thoughtful execution, and a distinct voice, along with production quality that supports the story rather than distracts from it. Ultimately, it’s about impact—whether the piece connects, resonates, and stays with the audience.
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
As an Executive Producer, I lead projects from concept to completion, aligning creative vision with strategy, building strong teams, and supporting talent.
What I value most is championing storytellers and bringing meaningful, impactful stories to life that connect with audiences.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
I’m co-producing Stan Lee’s Werewolf, which is in pre-production—a thrilling opportunity to bring an iconic story to life. At the same time, I’m developing a true crime documentary, diving into gripping real-life stories that captivate and challenge audiences. Both projects push creative boundaries and fuel my passion for storytelling.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
To stay creative, I dive into stories, brainstorm ideas without limits, and love to work closely with others. I also make time to step back and stay curious—those moments often lead to the freshest, most inspired work.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I was drawn to this career by a love of storytelling and a passion for bringing ideas to life in ways that connect with people. I’ve always been inspired by creators—their vision, dedication, and boldness showed me what’s possible and encouraged me to support and elevate other storytellers while building projects that leave a lasting impact.
In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?
In my experience, one major change I’m seeing in the industry is how streaming and digital platforms have transformed both how stories are created and how audiences engage with them. People now expect fresh, diverse, and authentic content across multiple formats. My advice for navigating this shift is to stay flexible, explore new ways of telling stories, and focus on helping creators develop strong, distinctive voices—originality and connection are what make work truly stand out today.
