Jennifer Kierans, a Montreal-based screenwriter, director, and producer, embarked on a dramatic film career pivot when, just a day before starting a bar admission course, she decided to leave the legal profession behind and make a bold escape from her hometown of London, Ontario, to Montreal.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Jennifer's journey in the film industry, which was soon solidified when her first screenplay, SIGNS OF LIFE, earned her acceptance into the prestigious Canadian Film Centre as a Writer Resident.
Jennifer's script for a short film, THE ROGERS' CABLE, about family dysfunction, won the National Screen Institute's Drama Prize, allowing her to explore her directorial skills. The resulting 10-minute film premiered at over 25 festivals worldwide, including the esteemed Critic's Week section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Building on her success, Jennifer began writing for children's television, crafting scripts for popular shows such as PADDINGTON BEAR, ANIMAL CRACKERS, TO THE M@X, POPULAR MECHANICS FOR KIDS, and MYSTERY HUNTERS.
Jennifer also story edited entire seasons of kids' cooking shows, including FUN FOOD FRENZY and EDIBLE INCREDIBLE. However, her passion for film remained unwavering.
In 2000, Jennifer founded Day Job Productions and began developing and producing her own projects. Her second short film, BRUCH WITH FAME, was sold to the Bravo! arts channel and The Comedy Network, while a third, SOOTHER, won a grand prize at the Uppsala Short Film Festival in Sweden.
Jennifer's fourth short film, CHUTE, took home the prize for best short at the inaugural ACTRA Shorts Film Festival. Her feature screenplays, OPEN TICKET and STAR-CROSSED, both received grants from the Quebec government, while her most recent screenplay, INTO THE SUN, was funded by the Telefilm Screenwriter's Assistance Program and developed through the NSI's Features First Program.
THE BEND, Jennifer's feature film directorial debut, went to camera in 2010 and was funded by Telefilm Canada. The film enjoyed a successful festival run and theatrical release through Film Option International/Kinosmith.
