Director and photographer Jess Kohl has joined the talent roster at Love Song, the production house founded by Kelly Bayett and Daniel Wolfe.
Love Song’s incredible roster of talent. Jess’ ability to tell thought-provoking stories with a unique visual identity makes her directorial eye an invaluable asset to any campaign or creative project.
Born in London, Kohl has turned out work often focusing on underrepresented voices, which she seeks to amplify through nuanced and poignant storytelling via a distinctive cinematic lens. She carries her artistic mission to her commercial film work with many global brands, including Nike, Speedo, On Running, Google, WhatsApp, and Carhartt.
After graduating from Central Saint Martins, Kohl completed a Masters in cinematography. Her films and photography have been featured in many renowned publications such as Dazed, Another Magazine, British Journal of Photography, Nowness, The Face, Vogue, i-D, and many more.
Her award-winning short films include A Mouthful of Petrol, a coming-of-age documentary following a father and son who share a passion for banger racing. The film won Golden Frog for Best Documentary Short at Camerimage and premiered at IDFA. In 2019, she won Best Director and Best Documentary at the Milan Fashion Film Festival for Nirvana, a short film about Koovagam Festival, the largest gathering of transgender women in Asia. In addition, Kohl’s films Disciples and Anarchy in the Philippines have also been nominated for numerous awards, including the Grierson.
Kohl said, “I’ve admired the work that Love Song has been creating since their inception. The culture that Daniel and Kelly have created feels original and exciting – their uniquely collaborative approach, diverse roster, and method of nurturing talent is something that I’m so excited to be a part of. The work is creatively bold and distinct, yet very human, which perfectly aligns with who I am as a filmmaker. I can’t wait to start creating together!”
“I love how Jess sees the world,” said director Wolfe. “Her sensitivity to her subjects, her compassionate approach – she captures life in a beautiful way. I’m excited to work with her.”
Prior to joining Love Song, Kohl was repped in the U.S. by PRETTYBIRD, which continues to handle her in the U.K. market.
Kari Grubin To Become First Woman President Of The Hollywood Professional Association
Kari Grubin will succeed Seth Hallen as president of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) on January 1, 2025.
When Hallen passes HPA leadership to Grubin, the organization marks a noteworthy milestone in its history as she becomes the first woman to hold the HPA presidency and only its third president since the organizationโs founding, following Hallen and HPA founder Leon Silverman. A recognized expert in technology, consultative expertise and postproduction services, Grubin possesses the experience and vision to help drive HPA through the next phase of the industryโs evolution.
โI am truly honored and excited to be part of the leadership team of this great organization that means so much to me, and I will bring my passion and experience to this responsibility,โ said HPA president-elect Grubin. โNow more than ever, HPA is a critical and hyper-relevant partner for the individuals and companies at work in our industry as we face the significant change, challenge and opportunity ahead. HPA will continue to be a conduit for our community to grow, reach out for new opportunities and adapt. Iโm assuming the leadership of a thriving organization, and I look forward to shepherding it through its next powerful new phase. I encourage our community to join us in the work ahead and look forward to the upcoming collaboration.โ
Hallen and Grubin will work closely over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. A dedicated HPA Board member since 2020, Grubin has spearheaded several of HPAโs most impactful initiatives. She co-founded HPA Women in Post (2011) which provides leadership opportunities and visibility for women working in professional content creation. Under the leadership of Grubin and fellow board member Loren... Read More