Jessica J. Rowlands is a narrative screenwriter and director whose work explores coming-of-age stories about outsiders, blending emotional depth with cinematic energy. She is the director of RISE, the first Zimbabwean film to premiere at the Tribeca Festival and to qualify for the Academy Awards. Inspired by a true story and shot entirely in Zimbabwe with an all-African cast and crew, RISE has screened at over 60 international festivals and won more than 30 awards worldwide, including four Best Director wins. Jessica has just been shortlisted at the Young Directors Awards in Cannes Lions 2026.
An established screenwriter, Jessica is currently writing a feature for an Oscar-winning director and is attached to direct a feature she wrote for an Oscar-nominated producer. She is developing a slate of projects across drama, action, and elevated genre. With a distinct voice rooted in authenticity and visual flair, her work is driven by bold, character-led storytelling with global resonance.
