Quick Facts
Biography
Kevin De Freitas is an award-winning Canadian music video and commercial director. He has directed videos for bands such as Hedley, The Waking Eyes, Big Sugar and Armchair Cynics. The solo artists he's worked with include Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Carl Thomas (singer), Pharoahe Monch, Loon (rapper), DJ Kay Slay, Mims (rapper), Maestro Fresh Wes, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Classified (rapper), Saukrates, Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, Lady Saw, T.O.K., Snow (musician), Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Amanda Perez, Keshia Chanté, Shawn Desman, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Serena Ryder and Steven Page among many others.
De Freitas has received numerous awards and nominations for his work. At the 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards, he won Best Director and Best Video of the Year for Hedley's "For the Nights I Can't Remember". He also won Best Rock Video and Best Cinematography for Hedley's "She's So Sorry". In 2007, he was awarded Best Pop Video for Hedley's "Gunnin". In 2003, he won a Best Pop MMVA for Shawn Desman's "Get Ready". The Reel World Film Festival presented De Freitas with a Trailblazer Award for Achievement in Filmmaking in 2002. In 2001, he won a Best Rap Video MMVA for Baby Blue Soundcrew's "Money Jane" (featuring Sean Paul, Kardinal Offishall and Jully Black).
He directed the Canadian series of PSAs for Bono’s Make Poverty History ‘Click’ campaign, which was part of the Live 8 concert event for Africa. The PSAs included Bryan Adams, Gordon Downie, Sam Roberts, K-OS, K'naan, Gordon Lightfoot, Gary Dourdan from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Tom Green, Darryl McDaniels, Mötley Crüe, Barenaked Ladies, Jet, as well as members from Sum 41, Simple Plan and Billy Talent.
NorthBay Media Arts commissioned Kevin De Freitas to direct their script "Toobie", a coming of age story about bullying. The 45min Short Feature Film premiered at the Maryland International Film Festival. Over 10,000 middle school students per year watch the film, from Philadelphia to Washington, D. C., to spark conversations about bullying, the power of education, and the ripple effect of making positive decisions.
He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.