Deborah Riley Draper is filmmaker and a Film Independent 2016 Documentary Lab Fellow. As the writer and director of Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, Draper chronicles the untold story of 18 black Olympians who defied racism in America and Germany to win medals and hearts at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Her debut film, Versailles’73: American Runway Revolution, was heralded by New York Times and Los Angeles Times film critics. Versailles ’73 is the first intimate look at the Palace of Versailles fundraiser that became a major fashion movement led by black models. The film appeared at the St. Louis International Film Festival, Denver DocNights, and Elle Croatia Fashion Film Festival. The film appeared by invitation at Toronto Fashion Week, Saudi Design Week, Holon Fashion Week in Israel and premiered on Logo TV in September 2015. Director Tate Taylor optioned Versailles ’73 and Draper will serve as story consultant and executive producer.

Draper is an advertising agency executive and works on blue-chip client accounts including Coca-Cola Classic, ExxonMobil, HP, AT&T, FedEx, and Georgia Lottery. She has earned two regional Emmys, a Gold Effie and several Addy Awards. Draper is a member of Film Independent and Film Fatales Atlanta.