Jess Kohl is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer. Her work marries a raw, intimate style with a focus on marginalised communities and global youth culture.
Graduating from Central St Martins, she quickly carved a niche in the industry, creating strong emotional narratives that tell the stories of those existing on the fringes of society. Her films have screened at festivals such as BFI Flare, LSFF, and Ciclope.
Whether documenting the UK queer Jewish underground scene in her film ‘Buttmitzvah’, following a group of rebel Filipino punks living under president Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ in her Raindance nominated ‘Anarchy in the Philippines’, or highlighting the contrast between Indian and western queerness in her candid and beautifully shot, multiple award winning ‘Nirvana’ – Jess’ work shows a clear talent for crafting films that document those searching for acceptance in their communities, religions, races and culture’s.
Contact: jesskohlx@gmail.com
Represented by PrettyBird
For all commercial enquiries please contact: juliette@prettybird.co
Selected press:
Vogue
Another Magazine
Kodakery
S Magazine
The Face
Nirvana – Dazed
Anarchy – Dazed
Queer Bible Belt – Dazed
Another Man
Shots: New Talent Focus
Vice
The Independent
Selected awards & nominations:
Best Director – Milan Fashion Film Festival, 2019 + 2020.
Nirvana, 2019 – Best Documentary, Milan Fashion Film Festival. Short Film Award, One World Media Awards. BFI Flare.
Anarchy in the Philippines 2018 – Best Documentary Short, Raindance Film Festival. Berlin Commercial.
Artist Residencies:
ShowDesk Napoli, 2019
Solo exhibitions:
2020 | ANIME SALVE at The PAN – Palazzo delle Arti, Napoli – a series of photographs made over two years in Napoli, Italy, examining gender non conformity in the city, and the regeneration of the suburb of Scampia.
2016 | Friends of the Dead at The Vaults, London – a collection of black and white portraits capturing the individuals who work and volunteer in London’s most famous cemeteries.