Jennifer Alphonse is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning filmmaker whose work spans a diverse range of subjects, styles, and formats—including commercial advertisements, music videos, documentaries, and short features.

An MBA graduate with a Film Appreciation certification from India’s prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Jennifer is drawn to stories that are familiarly different. She believes that the visual medium is the most powerful tool for storytelling and is committed to exploring narratives across various formats.

Jennifer holds the distinction of being the first Asian female filmmaker to shoot a feature film in Afghanistan. Her film, Habeeb, is currently in post-production.

Her debut short fiction film earned three prestigious Golden Nandi State Awards for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Child Actor, alongside numerous international accolades. Her second short film, Strangers, was selected for the Cannes Short Film Corner and went on to win over 17 international awards across various categories.

Jennifer's first feature-length documentary, The Take Over, explores the impact of the digital revolution on Indian cinema through conversations with some of the country’s finest filmmakers and technicians. The film received the Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival in 2016 and was also featured at the Cannes Short Film Corner, earning widespread recognition globally.

 

Driven by a deep passion for indigenous cultures, Jennifer extensively travels across India and beyond, documenting endangered traditions and customs. Her work resulted in the groundbreaking documentary featurette, Nagoba Jatara,which has been showcased at various international film festivals and garnered several awards. She recently launched a coffee table book of the same name, furthering her commitment to preserving these cultural legacies.

Another significant project, Gussadi – Celebration of Being God, highlights the unique heritage of India's Gond tribes. In addition to the documentary, Jennifer compiled a first-of-its-kind tribal coffee table book, now available on Amazon. The proceeds from the book sales directly benefit the tribal communities, supporting their efforts to sustain their culture.

Jennifer's unwavering dedication to indigenous storytelling has taken her beyond India, including ventures into Africa, where she continues to uncover and share the stories of marginalized communities. Her mission is to bring these untold narratives to a global audience, fostering awareness and appreciation for their rich heritage.