The 2026 Rev. Arthur S. Harvey, C.S.C., Award: Patrick Creadon '89
In recognition of his prolific contributions as an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Patrick Creadon ’89 is honored with the 2026 Rev. Arthur S. Harvey, C.S.C., Award.
Creadon is one of only a handful of directors to have multiple films ranked simultaneously among the top 100 highest-grossing documentaries of all time. His debut feature, Wordplay (2006), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and became the second-highest-grossing documentary of the year. His follow-up, I.O.U.S.A. (2008), also premiered at Sundance and was named one of the top five documentaries of the year by Roger Ebert.
Creadon’s additional director credits include the Independent Spirit Award-winning feature If You Build It (2014), the Emmy-nominated ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Catholics vs. Convicts (2016), Hesburgh (2019; a New York Times Critics’ Pick), and The Loyola Project (2022; praised as "mesmerizing" by the Chicago Sun-Times). He is currently directing his tenth feature film, Rockne, an in-depth examination of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne's life and legacy.
A native of Riverside, Illinois, and a graduate of Fenwick High School, Creadon earned his bachelor's degree from Notre Dame before going on to receive an MFA in cinematography from the American Film Institute in Hollywood. He is a founding member of the Directors Guild of America's Documentary Committee and was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2023. He frequently collaborates with his wife, producer Christine O'Malley. The couple resides in Los Feliz, California, with their three daughters—Fiona, Grace, and Charlotte.
“Christine and I feel extremely lucky to be able to make the kinds of films that we do. The fact that three of our films are Notre Dame stories makes it all the more meaningful. It’s quite humbling to receive this award, and I want to thank [executive director] Dolly [Duffy], her talented team, and the Alumni Association for this great honor.”