Jessie Barr

Directing

Jessie Barr

Washington, D.C., U.S.

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).

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Sophie Jones poster
5.0

Inspired by true experiences of grief, girlhood, and growing up, Jessie Barr’s SOPHIE JONES provides a stirring portrait of a sixteen-year-old. Stunned by the untimely death of her mother and struggling with the myriad challenges of teendom, Sophie (played with striking immediacy by the director’s cousin Jessica Barr) tries everything she can to feel something again, while holding herself together, in this sensitive, acutely realized, and utterly relatable coming-of-age story.

Sophie Jones

2021

Sophie Jones poster
5.0

Inspired by true experiences of grief, girlhood, and growing up, Jessie Barr’s SOPHIE JONES provides a stirring portrait of a sixteen-year-old. Stunned by the untimely death of her mother and struggling with the myriad challenges of teendom, Sophie (played with striking immediacy by the director’s cousin Jessica Barr) tries everything she can to feel something again, while holding herself together, in this sensitive, acutely realized, and utterly relatable coming-of-age story.

Sophie Jones

2021

Sophie Jones poster
5.0

Inspired by true experiences of grief, girlhood, and growing up, Jessie Barr’s SOPHIE JONES provides a stirring portrait of a sixteen-year-old. Stunned by the untimely death of her mother and struggling with the myriad challenges of teendom, Sophie (played with striking immediacy by the director’s cousin Jessica Barr) tries everything she can to feel something again, while holding herself together, in this sensitive, acutely realized, and utterly relatable coming-of-age story.

Sophie Jones

2021

No artwork available
NR

An idealistic young woman's life begins to unravel when her job in social media exposes her to the darkest corners of humanity.

Come as You Are

Too Long at the Fair poster
NR

Charlie and Val are best friends and owners of a fledgeling Princess party business in Los Angeles. After a mishap at a client’s party, the two find themselves in the hole and desperate for funds. They meet a charming divorcee, and what begins as a provocative yet seemingly harmless adventure take a downward turn.

Too Long at the Fair

2018

Too Long at the Fair poster
NR

Charlie and Val are best friends and owners of a fledgeling Princess party business in Los Angeles. After a mishap at a client’s party, the two find themselves in the hole and desperate for funds. They meet a charming divorcee, and what begins as a provocative yet seemingly harmless adventure take a downward turn.

Too Long at the Fair

2018

Too Long at the Fair poster
NR

Charlie and Val are best friends and owners of a fledgeling Princess party business in Los Angeles. After a mishap at a client’s party, the two find themselves in the hole and desperate for funds. They meet a charming divorcee, and what begins as a provocative yet seemingly harmless adventure take a downward turn.

Too Long at the Fair

2018

Sylvia poster
NR

Sylvia is waiting for her life to begin, withering under the weight of her hypochondriac mother until a stranger comes into her world and changes everything.

Sylvia

2026

Sylvia poster
NR

Sylvia is waiting for her life to begin, withering under the weight of her hypochondriac mother until a stranger comes into her world and changes everything.

Sylvia

2026

Sylvia poster
NR

Sylvia is waiting for her life to begin, withering under the weight of her hypochondriac mother until a stranger comes into her world and changes everything.

Sylvia

2026