Jess Berry

Jess Berry is an award-winning writer-director trained in commercial and documentary filmmaking, living in Los Angeles.

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Previously, she served as Vice President of Development at SuperFilms Media, where she co-produced the Emmy-Nominated Hulu Original Documentary Changing the Game (GLAAD Media Award Winner, Critics Choice Nominee).

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Her latest short film, FAIRGROUND, premiered at Academy Award–qualifying Indy Shorts and went on to screen at more than ten festivals worldwide, including the highly competitive PROOF Film Festival (showcased by American Cinematheque) in Los Angeles. The short script was a finalist at HollyShorts International, and the project was a finalist for the AFI DWW+ (Directing Women’s Workshop). Serving as a proof-of-concept for her debut feature of the same name, FAIRGROUND continues Jess’s exploration of identity, family legacy, and first love within rural America.

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She previously won the Audience Choice Award at Indy Shorts for her film DAUGHTERS, and was a finalist for the Sundance Episodic Lab for her coming-of-age pilot, LITTLE JESS.

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A trained Chicago theater actor, Jess has appeared in A FAMILY MAN, WEB OF MAKE BELIEVE, and television shows including 9-1-1, CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO P.D., and FOR THE PEOPLE.

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She is a proud Women In Film member and a select participant in the Women In Film Mentorship Program. Jess received her BFA at Miami University, Ohio.

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Raised on a farm in Indiana, Jess’s storytelling is shaped by her Midwestern roots. Her work centers on rural-American voices, particularly girls and women, and explores the complex impact of Midwest culture on self-identity and relationships.