Biography
Jessie Barr is a writer/director based in L.A. with roots in theater, independent film + comedy. A multi-hyphenate filmmaker and commercial director born in Washington D.C. she danced with The Washington Ballet before cutting her teeth as an actor in NYC’s Off-Broadway scene. Jessie’s filmmaking is humanistic, sensual, and darkly funny, centering on characters in moments of rupture where desire, shame, and love collide. Her production company, Enfants Bizarres, is committed to the raw energy and revolutionary ethos of punk filmmaking, championing humanistic stories that explore the erotic, subvert gender norms, and center the unruly. Jessie recently directed the viral sensation Fight Dirty (2026), a YA action romance streaming on CandyJar app, Roku, and AppleTV, and was profiled in The Hollywood Reporter. Her spec commercial for Laneige Lip Mask is a runaway hit with 5.4 million views. Jessie is currently developing a Shakespeare adaptation with Academy Award-winning prod co. Caviar (War Pony, Sound of Metal). Her latest short film, Sylvia, starring Jena Malone (Love Lies Bleeding, Neon Demon, The Hunger Games), will World Premiere at the Palm Springs International ShortFest 2026. The film was made possible with support from Modern Silent Shorts and Isabella Rossellini.
Jessie is a 2025 Djerassi Artist in Residence, 2024 Half Initiative directing fellow (Ryan Murphy Program), and 2021 Sundance Episodic Lab fellow. The series she co-created went on to be developed with Warner Bros. Television and Tall Baby Productions. Jessie’s work has screened globally at festivals including Deauville, Berlinale, Tribeca, Mar Del Plata, and been featured by The National Board of Review, The New York Times, Short of the Week, Vimeo Staff Pick, and USA Today. Jessie’s critically acclaimed, award-winning feature debut, Sophie Jones, premiered in competition at the Deauville Film Festival and was released by Oscilloscope Laboratories, earning a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and streaming on Showtime. The film is executive produced by Nicole Holofcener. Roger Ebert hailed it as “Superb." Variety called it "A fully realized portrait of grief that's universal," and The Playlist praised it as "Coming-of-age at its best. A quiet, brilliant film.”
As a performance artist, Jessie appeared with Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova in PUSSY RIOT SIBERIA (2025) at MOCA. Jessie’s personal cancer chronicle, Serving Cunt debuted at SADE Gallery in Los Angeles (2024), featuring original films, installations, and photography as a way to process her bladder cancer diagnosis, treatment, and healing. Selected Clients: Garnier, Savannah Rose Studio. Grant recognitions include: MOS Silent Film Grant Recipient (2025), PEN America Writer's Grant Recipient (2020), and Oregon Film Grant Recipient (2019).
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