Jalea Jackson

EDITOR | PRODUCER | DIRECTOR

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

— Maya Angelou

As the founder of Jalea Jackson Productions (JJP), Jalea is committed to telling stories that amplify the culture and authenticity of marginalized communities. Her work focuses on reclaiming narratives often misconstrued or left untold, shedding light on the human condition with depth and authenticity.

Award-Winning Credits

Jalea has won multiple awards for her work as an editor, filmmaker, and producer. Her work has been showcased at festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Cannes Film Festival, and the New Orleans Film Festival.

Her short film, Things With Feathers, explores the cultural silence Black women have developed as a coping mechanism for sexual assault. The film has earned several awards and had successful screenings in New Orleans (New Orleans Film Festival), Los Angeles (Pan African Film Festival), and Atlanta (Atlanta Independent Film Festival).

Notable Awards

Beyond festival recognition, Jalea’s work has earned industry accolades across various disciplines, from editing to directing and production. Some of her other awards include:

2018 – New Orleans Film Festival, Best Louisiana Short (Blood Runs Down – Editor)
2020 – Suncoast Emmy Award, Arts/Entertainment-Program/Special (Ya Mama N’em – 1st AD & Production Coordinator)
2021 – Sundance Audience Choice Award (Ma Belle My Beauty – Assistant Editor & DIT)
2022 – San Francisco Indie Short Festival, Best Narrative US Short Film (The Best Time – Editor)
2024 – 45th Telly Award, Directing & Cinematography (Midnight Run – Editor & Producer)

Industry Experience

Jalea served as the Assistant Editor and DIT for the Sundance 2021 Award-Winning Feature Film, Ma Belle My Beauty, a New Orleans-French-inspired love story. She was also the Assistant Editor for the feature documentary Commuted, and the Hulu documentary Look At Me: XXXTentacion.