Filmmaker and director
Ashlee Jensen is an award-winning filmmaker. Over the last decade, she has worked across a range of productions and media, including short films, episodic YouTube, music videos and feature films.
Most recently, Ashlee directed the harrowing short film “7 Times” based on a true story of a woman’s decision to leave her abusive husband. The film was met with unwavering acclaim on the international festival circuit, receiving 11 awards. It is now being developed into a feature, with Ashlee attached to direct.
Ashlee’s other short films “You Never Know” and “Blue Ribbon” have also won awards in Australia and abroad. She recently wrote and directed her own short, “The Finish Line” compiling a stellar cast and crew. This film is currently in post-production. Her feature films, “500 Miles” and “Project Eden” both received international distribution with “Project Eden” gaining a cinema run in the USA.
Award-winning filmaker
Ashlee has received numerous awards throughout her career. In 2014, her debut romantic drama feature “500 Miles” premiered at Palm Beach International Film Festival. The film took home awards for ‘Best Emerging Filmmaker’ and ‘Audience Choice’. Subsequently “500 Miles” had a successful film festival circuit. It went on to win ‘Best Narrative Feature’ at Cincinnati International Film Festival. Released internationally through Devolver and Eagle Entertainment the film received wonderful reviews. In 2016 Ashlee completed an Advanced Diploma of Screen and Stage Acting and an Advanced Diploma of Film and Television at The Performing Arts Conservatory in Brisbane. This strengthened her natural talent as an actors director and cementing her reputation as an award-winning filmmaker.
In 2015 Ashlee directed the short film “You Never Know” staring Home and Away’s heartthrob Paul O’Brien. This went on to win awards at the Cockatoo Island Film Festival and Simply Shorts: Women in Film.
International acclaim
In 2017, Ashlee’s second feature “Project Eden” premiered at the Boston International Film Festival and won “‘Best Vision’ and ‘Best Sc-Fi Vision’. It was released internationally with Umbrella Entertainment. In this film Ashlee worked with a stellar cast including Mike Dopud, Erik Avari and the late Cliff Simon. In the same year Ashlee was selected to partake in a Directors Intensive with Directors Cate Shortland and Tony Krawitz through Screenworks.
Since then, Ashlee has been selected for a writing Masterclass via Screen QLD with Wendall Thomas (2020). In the same year she was selected for a directing course via Sydney Acting School with Pip Edwards (2020), two directing courses through AFTRS with Lucy Gaffy (2021 and 2022) and a Storytelling for Business course with Nick Bolton (2022).
Special effects experience
In 2021 Ashlee directed the short film “Blue Ribbon” with the intent to get hands on with special effects. The film premiered at Hollywood Verge Film Awards Festival with great reviews. Her latest directed short “7 Times” had her collaborating with Andy Condor, internationally renowned and awarded Cinematographer, and editor William Missett. The film brings to life the heartbreaking journey of a woman’s struggle leaving an abusive relationship.
2022 saw Ashlee write and direct her own short film “The Finish Line” which will enter into the festival circuit once post production is complete.
Diverse portfolio of projects
In addition to her active directing work, Ashlee is also developing several projects for the screen and other media. Currently, Ashlee is the director for an adventure comedy film “Welcome to Gibba” which is being produced in relation with Screen QLD. She is also the founder and one of the key creatives in The Coast Collective.
Directors Showreel for award-winning filmmaker Ashlee Tamara Jensen
Kind Words
Andrew Condor – DOP
I have been a Cinematographer in the Australian Film Industry for 40 years and I have worked on some of Australia’s biggest productions including “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Scooby Doo”, “Peter Pan”, “Crocodile Dundee” “Fools Gold”, “Terra Nova”, “24 – Live Another Day”, and “The Great Raid” to name just a few.
Also, I have been accredited by the American Society of Camera Operators (SOC) and the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). I have been awarded by the ACS a total of 26 Best Cinematography awards including the coveted Golden Tripod award in 2008 and the Prestigious Pater Award for Television Excellence in 1988.
“Masterfully directed”
I recently had the pleasure of shooting “Seven Times” – a harrowing domestic Violence film, that was masterfully directed by Ashlee Jensen.
Having worked with many of the world’s best directors in my time, Ashlee demonstrated the same traits in her handling of her film. She is highly creative with her shot choices and extremely sensitive and masterful when directing actors. She is a natural leader and earns the respect of her crew very quickly and effortlessly.
“Clear grasp of story arcs”
Ashlee had a clear grasp of the story arcs and the direction she wanted the actors to take. She was able to achieve fantastic performances from all her actors in this difficult subject matter.
In my role as Cinematographer, it was a joy to work with Ashlee because she was able to explain her vision clearly and concisely to me. We were able to bond quickly and work efficiently.
“A great asset”
Ashlee made my experience on “Seven Times” extremely enjoyable and allowed me and the rest of the crew to be at our best to create her vision on the screen. I cannot endorse Ashlee Jensen enough! She lives her life for Film Making and she would be a great asset to any production that employs her. She is Film savvy and extremely personable to everyone she meets. I cannot wait for the next opportunity I have to work with this exceptionally talented woman.
Mike Dopud – US/Canadian Actor
My name is Mike Dopud and I have been working in the entertainment industry across Canada and the USA for over 30 years as a stuntman and actor. Some of my acting credits include Series Regular roles on the hit STARZ Network show POWER, Series Regular roles on the CW Network show THE 100, along with roles in such features as DEADPOOL 2, THE PREDATOR and THIS MEANS WAR to name a few. I’ve also been nominated for THE WORLD STUNT AWARDS and received nominations and Best Actor awards from various Film Festivals around the world.
I worked in a lead acting role with Ashlee on her second feature Project Eden which she co-directed in 2017. I also attended the Australian Premiere and later the festival premiere at the Boston International Sci-Fi where we picked up the award for Best Sci-Fi Vision.
“Very capable director”
Ashlee is a very capable director with a great ability to communicate her vision to the team and her actors.
Ashlee has great attention to detail. She is a great actors director, personable and respectable with a great eye for storytelling. I would have no hesitations in working with her again in future.
I have since watched Ashlee’s career continue successfully as she works diligently towards her goals and directing aspirations.
“Strong leader and director”
Ashlee is enthusiastic, committed and steadfast in her approach to her goals. Ashlee has the right attitude and ambition to be a strong leader and director within the screen industry on an international level. She has my ongoing support in this endeavor.