Biography

Jessica J. Rowlands is an award-winning screenwriter and director from London whose work blends emotionally grounded coming-of-age storytelling with high-stakes action, sport, and elevated genre. Her directorial debut, RISE, became the first Zimbabwean film - short or feature - to premiere at the Tribeca Festival, marking a major breakthrough for both Zimbabwean cinema and Rowlands as a filmmaker. She is attached to direct a major feature film for an Oscar-nominated producer from her own original screenplay, while also co-writing an animated feature with an Oscar-winning writer-director.

Rowlands’ scripts have been recognized by leading international competitions and fellowships including the Academy Nicholl Fellowships, Austin Film Festival, PAGE Awards, CineStory Fellowship, and the UCLA Screenwriting Awards, where she made history by winning consecutive awards in both Feature Film and Television Drama. Her work spans action, thriller, fantasy, and emotional sports dramas, often centering on outsiders fighting against the odds.

Inspired by a true story, RISE stars Tongayi Chirisa alongside breakout child actor Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, discovered through an extensive street-casting process in Zimbabwe. Shot entirely on location with an all-African cast and crew, the film was created in close collaboration with the community that inspired it and continues to gain recognition on the international festival circuit. Alongside her filmmaking, Rowlands runs creative arts initiatives for children across Southern Africa, focused on expanding access to storytelling, performance, and artistic opportunities for young people. She holds law degrees from the University of London and the University of Chicago Law School, specializing in international human rights law.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anon