In 2007 , Wade directed and shot '' Freeheld '' , a documentary telling the story of terminally ill New Jersey police officer Laurel Hester . Hester came to public attention when she appealed to her local authorities to change the policy that prevented her female domestic partner from receiving pension benefits on Hester 's death . While filming '' Freeheld '' , Wade spent time living with Hester and her partner Stacie Andree in New Jersey . The film won 16 film awards including the Special Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival , a Special Jury Prize at the Seattle International Film Festival , the Audience Award at the Boston Independent Film Festival , the Audience Award at L.A. Outfest . Wade and Producer Vanessa Roth won the Academy Award for Best Documentary ( Short Subject ) at the 80th Academy Awards in 2008
80th Academy Awards
80th Academy Awards
Cynthia Wade