My guest speaker Jeni Jones has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, as a professional, award-winning director, screenwriter, playwright, actor, dancer, rapper, producer, editor, martial artist, and radio host. Jeni has spent her entire life seamlessly navigating behind the camera & in front of it, as well as on & off stages of all sizes.
Jeni earned her BA in Theatre Directing & English Literature from Fordham University in NYC & her MFA in Film Directing from CalArts.
Throughout her film & T.V. career, Jeni has worked behind the scenes as a production & development executive at several
notable companies such as Starz Media, The Film Department & Exclusive Media, during which time she has been credited for her creative contributions to numerous feature films including Law Abiding Citizen starring Jamie Foxx & Gerard Butler, End of Watch with Jake Gyllenhaal, Snitch with Dwayne Johnson, Parkland alongside Tom Hanks’ Playtone, John Carney’s music-driven film Begin Again, Golden Globe- nominated Rush starring Chris Hemsworth (to name a few - more credits avail on IMDB). As an independent filmmaker, her films have played at & received recognition from festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam & Sundance.
As a director, her recent direction of the stageplay WOMEN ON THE VERGE earned the production an NAACP Award and a sold-out run in 2019. She also recently directed the award-winning short film CLUB RAT$, which premiered at the Oscar-qualifying L.A. Shorts & Chelsea Film Festivals & was used to raise money & awareness for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). The film has gone on to play numerous festivals & to win multiple awards. As an independent filmmaker, her films have played at & received recognition from international festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam & Sundance. She often shoots, directs & edits music videos for other artists, as well as promotional videos.
Jeni is also an accomplished playwright & screenwriter, who has been brought on board to consult on & write original screenplays for many notable indie producers. She is the co-creator of two original music- driven T.V. Shows, as well as the screenwriter of multiple original feature films currently in development.
Please visit IMDB & www.JeniJones.com & follow her on IG: @JeniAnneJones for more info.
