Jessie Barr is an award-winning writer/director, Sundance fellow, Half Initiative directing fellow and multi-media artist, with a background in acting, independent film, and theater. Her critically acclaimed feature debut, "Sophie Jones" premiered in competition at the 2020 Deauville Film Festival and was released by Oscilloscope Laboratories in 2021. The film holds a 100% rating on RottenTomatoes and is streaming on Showtime. Variety hailed the film as a "fully realized portrait of grief that's universal in its texture." "Superb," says Rodger Ebert. The Playlist called it, "Coming-of-age at its best. A quiet, brilliant film." Jessie is a PEN America Writer's Grant Recipient, and Oregon Made Film Grant Recipient.