Jessica Beshir

Née à Mexico, d’un père éthiopien et d’une mère mexicaine, Beshir a été soudainement déracinée lorsque son père, qui était médecin, a décidé de retourner dans son pays natal, après le déclenchement d’une guerre civile. Le dévouement de son père l’a poussée à vouloir devenir médecin, puis à étudier la politique, et enfin à retourner filmer les lieux et les gens qu’elle avait laissés derrière elle en Éthiopie.
Elle a obtenu sa Licence en études cinématographiques et littérature à l’Université UCLA (Californie, USA). Elle a réalisé le court métrage HAIRAT (2017) et le court métrage He Who Dances on Wood (2017). FAYA DAYI (2021) est son premier long métrage dont l’action de passe à Harar, en Ethiopie. Jessica vit à Brooklyn, New-York (Etats-Unis).

Mexican-Ethiopian filmmaker

Jessica BESHIR is a Film Director | Actress | Producer | Cinematographer | Writer | Sound recordist

Film DIRECTOR, PRODUCER and CINEMATOGRAPHER. She received her B.A in film studies and literature at UCLA. She directed the short He Who Dances on Wood and HAIRAT (2017).
FAYA DAYI (2021) is her first feature film set in Harar (Ethiopia). Jessica is based in Brooklyn, NY (USA).

Jessica Beshir was born in Mexico City to an Ethiopian Father and Mexican mother. She grew up in Harar, Ethiopia and is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Watching Abba Yussuf’s nightly ritual is part of most Hararis’ mesmerizing childhood experience.
Yussuf Mume Saleh, also known as the « Hyena Man of Harar » is one of the last guardians of this century old dying tradition. He has fed hyenas for decades and has now passed the bastion to his son Abbas who has practiced the ritual with his Father since childhood.
In the medieval walled city of Harar, spotted Hyenas roam free and live in harmony with people.
They weigh up to 180 pounds and after the African Lion; they are the largest carnivores in Africa.
Jessica loves to ambulate Jegol, the walled city of Harar, where one never knows what awaits at each turn of the labyrinth.

FILMOGRAPHY

2021 – Faya Dayi (Documentary)
* Director
* Screenwriter
* Producer
* Executive producer
* Cinematographer
* Sound recordist

2018 – Kings (Short)
* Director

2017 – The Gift (TV Mini Series) (3 episodes)
– Debra (2017)
– Vicky (2017)
– Cassandra (2017)
* Director

2017 – Heroin (Documentary short)
* Director
* Screenwriter (with Gonzalez David)
* Additional photography
* Producer
* Executive producer

2017 – Hairat (Documentary short)
* Director
* Executive producer
* Cinematographer
* Sound recordist

2016 – He Who Dances on Wood (Documentary short)
* Director
* Producer
* Executive producer
* Cinematographer

2015 Memory of a Time Twice Lived (Short). Directors: Angel Nevarez & Valerie Tevere
* Actress: Narration (voice)

2014 – Zemene (feature documentary, 1h08). Director: Melissa R. Donovan
* Translator

2007 – The DL Chronicles (TV Series) – Episode: « Wes » (2007) /// Directors: Deondray Gossfield & Quincy Le Near
* Actress: Sarah Thomas

2006 – Distortion /// Director: Kirk Fogg
* Actress: Gerry

2004 Journey to Lasta /// Director: Wondwossen D. Dikran
* Actress: Selam

2004 – 107 Street /// Director: Antonio De La Cruz
* Actress: Andrea

2004 – Until the Night /// Director: Gregory Hatanaka
* Actress: Partygoer

2003 – 200$ (200 American) /// Director: Richard LeMay
* Actress: Model

1999 – Man Woman Film /// Director: Cameron Pearson
* Actress: Ali’s girl

Source:
www.imdb.com/name/nm0078660/