Jess Blackwell is a British-Canadian actor, writer, filmmaker, and producer currently based out of Toronto, Canada. 

Having first completed an MA in philosophy before transitioning into a career in film and television, Jess leverages her knowledge of topics such as self-development, identity, and communication to craft rich, grounded, and deeply human performances and stories. Her goal is always to present authentic, believable moments that connect with audiences. 

As the founder of Lumida Productions, she is passionate about bringing to life women-led narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are engaging.  Thematically, she loves to explore the core of what it means to be human, focusing on themes such as identity, self-discovery, morality, belonging, and interpersonal (dis)connection.   

Jess has won several awards for her on-screen performances, while the films she has made have also received accolades, including best film nominations and wins. In 2026, she received development funding from Ontario Creates for her debut feature film, The Legacy.

In 2025, Jess joined the WebSeries Canada team as Communications Manager and Membership Chair, and was appointed Head Programmer for T.O. Webfest in 2026. She is also an active member of the WIFT+ Toronto community and a mentor through the WIFT+ Connect mentorship program. 

Both on and off set, Jess leads a vegan, low-waste lifestyle and is passionate about protecting the environment. To help improve sustainability and drive change on a societal level, Jess spent years volunteering as the Marketing Lead for her local waste reduction group. She is also a freelance journalist, currently writing for publications like the bridge. 

Jess is a friendly, passionate team player who prides herself on bringing enthusiasm and a professional attitude to every role she takes on.