Jess Dang is a Chinese-American writer and director born and based in Los Angeles. She values collaboration and is passionate about creating stories that ignite conversations. Jess holds an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BFA in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design. Her work has been showcased at various festivals and platforms, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Cleveland International Film Festival, the Newport Beach Film Festival, and DOC NYC at the IFC Center, as well as in The New York Times.

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Jess believes in cinema's power as a universal language and aims to use her work to advocate for underrepresented communities. Her stories often explore moral and humanitarian progress, mental health issues, and coming-of-age narratives. Her background in music and painting influences her stylistic storytelling approach.

 

Dang is a Film Independent Fast Track Fellow and a participant in The Gotham Film & Media Institute's "Owning It" program. She has received the NewFilmmakers LA New Narratives grant, awarded in partnership with The Rhulen Family Foundation, for her debut feature film, "Surrender," which she both wrote and directed, starring and executive produced by Andrea Bang from Kim’s Convenience. 

Beyond the film industry, Jess has served as a Creative Director / lead for prominent lifestyle, tech, and entertainment brands such as Intel, Audible, Snapchat, Target, MTV, Cartoon Network, Gold's Gym, I Love NY, the University of Pittsburgh, Verizon, and The Islands of The Bahamas. Her work continues to reach multiple audiences due to her use of color and forms.

 

Dang admires the films of Chloe Zhao, and Mira Nair, loves modern art museums, kayaking to recharge without her phone, and is a dedicated bruncher.