Jessica Makinson is a writer/director with 22 years of experience as an actor and filmmaker. She has worked with directors Trey Parker, Russo Brothers, David Robert Mitchell, Jason Winer, Marc Maron, among others. She was named one of SHOOT magazine’s New Directors to watch in 2023.

After being involved at the development level for the series Halfway Home, Makinson sold her first pilot, Jenn Jeffries: Professional Stalker, to Comedy Central. Her first screenplay, DisPlaceMent, was twice a second-round selection for the Sundance Development Labs 2020/21, ScreenCraft Film Fund 2019 quarter-finalist, and a ScreenCraft Screenwriters Fellowship 2020 semi-finalist.

Makinson’s short films have screened at Clermont Ferrand, Fantasia, Marfa, Nitehawk, Cucalorus, and IFS LA (2023 Winner Best Actress/Best Supporting Actor). Her most recent short script OKAY (The Hive) was selected at Film Quest 2023 and is a finalist for The Los Angeles Short Film Grant 2024.

Makinson lives in Los Angeles near a roller skating rink with her husband and 4 year old son.