Jules Rosskam is an internationally renowned filmmaker, artist, and educator, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in autoethnography and hybrid forms. His interdisciplinary practice delves into the intricate processes of constructing individual and collective histories and identities.
Born in Chicago and raised in Philadelphia, Rosskam received a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from Bennington College in 2001. He later relocated to New York City, where he established a successful editing and production career, collaborating with MTV, The History Channel, Curious Pictures, and various independent artists. While in New York, Rosskam joined the non-profit media arts organization Dyke TV, producing an award-winning cable access television show for the queer community. He rose through the ranks to Executive Producer and became a key organizer of the show and organization.
In 2005, Rosskam premiered his debut feature film, transparent, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and awards. Frameline Distribution acquired the film in 2006, and it continues to be one of their most popular titles. The film has screened in over 50 film festivals and had its broadcast premiere on PBS in June 2008.
In 2006, Rosskam pursued a Master of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied under renowned artists such as Gregg Bordowitz, Frédéric Moffet, Sadie Benning, and the late Barbara DeGeneivive. During his time in Chicago, Jules co-founded the popular monthly screening series, Threat Level Queer Shorts, which ran from 2008-2010.
In Summer 2007, Rosskam received a Fellowship from The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media to support the development of his second feature documentary, against a trans narrative. The film went on to play at film festivals worldwide and had its broadcast premiere on the CBC in June 2010. The Video Data Bank also acquired the film for distribution in 2010.
With the generous support of the Center for Independent Documentary and the LEF Foundation, Rosskam completed his fourth feature-length film, Paternal Rites, a first-person essay film that explores the extraordinary and quotidian trauma of being in a family.
As a fine artist, Rosskam's paintings, installations, and performances have been showcased in galleries and venues throughout the United States and Europe. He is also a noted lecturer, speaker, and professor who has held positions at Hampshire College, SUNY Old Westbury, and Indiana University-Purdue, Fort Wayne. Currently, Rosskam serves as an assistant professor of visual arts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
