Directing

Jessie Barr

Jessie Barr is a multifaceted talent in the realms of writing, directing, acting, and multimedia artistry, with a strong foundation in independent cinema, theater, and comedic performance. Her artistic endeavors are characterized by their emotional depth and intimate storytelling, often intertwining realistic portrayals with lyrical visuals that delve into themes of desire, grief, and identity, frequently challenging societal conventions.

Currently, Jessie is working on a modern adaptation of a Shakespearean play in collaboration with the Oscar-winning production company Caviar, known for notable films like *War Pony* and *Sound of Metal*. She is also in post-production on her short film *Sylvia*, featuring actress Jena Malone. Her accolades include being named a 2025 Djerassi Artist in Residence, a 2024 directing fellow through the Half Initiative (Ryan Murphy Program), and a participant in the 2021 Sundance Episodic Lab. A series she co-created was further developed with Warner Brothers Television and Tall Baby Productions.

Jessie’s remarkable debut feature, *Sophie Jones*, premiered at the 2020 Deauville Film Festival and was distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories in 2021, earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Praised by *Variety* as a "fully realized portrait of grief," the film has been showcased at prestigious festivals such as Berlinale and Tribeca. Additionally, she recently collaborated with Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot in *PUSSY RIOT SIBERIA* at MOCA, and her poignant exhibition, *Serving Cunt*, debuted in 2024, blending film, installations, and photography.

An alumna of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Jessie has collaborated with esteemed institutions like Lincoln Center and The Public Theater. Her work has garnered several grants, including the MOS Film Grant (2025) and the PEN America Writer's Grant (2020).

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