Biography
Jackie Shawn is an emerging filmmaker, writer, director, and producer originally from Houston, Texas, and based in Chicago, Illinois. With a creative background spanning television, advertising, and independent film, Shawn is passionate about developing compelling stories that explore identity, culture, freedom, and the complexities of Black womanhood.
She studied Creative Production and Interdisciplinary Arts at the University of Oklahoma before pursuing her Master of Fine Arts at DePaul University. Through her work, Shawn seeks to amplify underrepresented perspectives and create opportunities for stories that challenge conventional narratives.
She is the creator of Drapetomania, a Black anthology thriller series developed in collaboration with the Black Media Arts Club (BMAC) at DePaul University. Drawing inspiration from the historically racist pseudoscientific term used to describe enslaved Black people seeking freedom, the series reclaims the concept through stories exploring liberation, identity, independence, and the experiences of Black adults.
Shawn is also the creator of Glass & Steel, a romantic comedy short film developed as a proof of concept for a potential television series. Her other creative work includes hi-lo and Copycat. Through her filmmaking, Shawn continues to develop distinctive stories that center Black experiences while pushing creative boundaries in independent film and television.
