Meet Jessica Irvine Drake

My name is Jessica Irvine Drake, and I’ve spent over twenty years working as an actor, learning firsthand how much courage, vulnerability, and persistence it takes to tell a story on screen. Film has shaped my life in more ways than I can count, not just as an art form, but as a way of understanding myself and the world around me.

In 2025, I stepped into a new chapter of my creative journey when I released my very first short film, Bald...a project I wrote, produced, and starred in. What began as a deeply personal story quickly took on a life of its own as Bald made its way through the film festival circuit. Along the way, the film was honored with awards and embraced by audiences at festivals that championed bold, independent voices. Experiencing that support as a first-time filmmaker was both validating and transformative.

But as I traveled, promoted the film, and connected with other creators, I began to notice something missing, especially at home. Despite Austin’s vibrant film culture, there were no film festivals specifically focused on celebrating and centering female filmmakers and female-driven stories. That absence became impossible to ignore.

This festival was created out of that realization. I wanted to build the kind of space I had been searching for...a festival that uplifts women’s voices, encourages creative risk, and fosters genuine community. This isn’t just a response to what was missing; it’s a celebration of what’s possible when women are given room to tell their stories, in their own voices, on their own terms. I am endlessly excited for what’s ahead. I can’t wait to watch the stories women are telling. Stories that are bold, intimate, fearless, and deeply human. This festival exists for those voices, and I am honored to help create a space where they can be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Thank you for being here, for supporting this festival, and for believing in the power of women’s stories. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.