Biography

Jenna Marks’ short films have received international acclaim at prestigious festivals, including Glas Animation in California, the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and Internationales Trickfilm-Festival Stuttgart in Germany, as well as the international animation residency “Open Workshop” in Denmark. She has an MFA from Concordia University in Montreal and a BFA from her alma mater, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Jenna’s creative vision is profoundly influenced by her upbringing in Nova Scotia, a region no more than an hour away from the ocean in any direction. Her animated films resonate with a deep connection to water and nature, reflecting the rural seclusion of her home alongside its diverse social economy. This unique background gives Jenna a vulnerable, honest, and distinctive voice in the international landscape of cinema and the arts.

Jenna's interdisciplinary education focused primarily on handmade film processes, drawing inspiration from the Atlantic Film Co-operative. Her animated works are influenced by both the avant-garde animation of today and the traditions of Canada's celluloid-based filmmakers of the past. Additionally, her roots in live-action and documentary storytelling coupled with her passion for poetry contribute to a thoughtful connection between words and images.

With a dual undergraduate focus in textiles and production design, Jenna's animated work is inherently tactile and explorative. She seamlessly incorporates video installations with drawings, sculptures and textiles. In her interdisciplinary explorations, Jenna consistently strives to broaden her craftsmanship, seeking new perspectives for creating animation.

For Jenna, animation transcends the mere act of crafting a story frame by frame. It involves the meticulous deconstruction and control of motion—an art that captures and displays not just the control of time but also a profound understanding of life itself.