Bio
Marsha Jean is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and writer originally from Hong Kong. She began her creative journey as a nomadic travel photographer in 2015, traversing over 60 countries over 7 years and living in countries like Pakistan, Greece, and Afghanistan for months at a time. Her immersive approach to travel allows her to deeply connect with the cultures she documents, challenging stereotypes and exploring diverse human experiences.
During her formative years from 19 to 21, she embarked on extraordinary travel experiences that shaped who she is today. These adventures included hitchhiking solo from Iran to France, cycling alone across Central Asia through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, and undertaking a 19-day solitary trek in Afghanistan with a rented donkey to carry her food and equipment. These journeys taught her resilience, adaptability, and the joy of connecting with unfamiliar cultures and landscapes.
In late 2022, Marsha moved to London to pursue her passion for screenwriting and film directing, transitioning her storytelling from still images to moving images. Her films, often set in raw and unfiltered environments, explore themes of resilience, identity, and the complexities of the female experience. Marsha's work reflects her belief in the power of cinema to give voice to untold stories and reveal the nuances of human emotion.
Her projects include The Plate, Finn, A Ritual to Remember and other experimental works like Orgasmic. She has been recognized for her innovative approach to storytelling, receiving awards for her contributions to independent filmmaking. Inspired by her own experiences and those of women worldwide, Marsha uses her craft to navigate questions of trauma, self-expression, and belonging.
Through her films, Marsha aims to weave together the personal and universal, creating narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Her journey from a globetrotting photographer to emerging filmmaker is a testament to her commitment to authentic and evocative storytelling.
(Photo by Fernando Otavio)
AS SEEN ON
Awards
MonoVisions Photography Awards 2021
Life Framer World Travelers Editors’ Pick (2021)
UNESCO Silk Road Photo Contest 2019
Publications (selected)
The Bikepacking Journal Issue 07 - “Undaunted”
The Female Explorer Magazine No. 3 - “Afghanistan”
Youth Lens on the Silk Roads 2nd edition (2019-2020) by UNESCO
Youth Lens on the Silk Roads 3rd edition (2021) by UNESCO
Youth Lens on the Silk Roads 4th edition (2023) by UNESCO
Filmmaking (selected)
Short film: “Finn” - Writer and Director
Short film: “A Ritual to Remember” - Writer and Director
Short film: “The Plate” - Writer and Director
Short film: “Orgasmic” - Writer, Director, and co-producer
Short film: “Street Clowns” - Writer and Director
Short film: “The Oldies” - Director
“A Sensored Film” by Sensored Magazine - 1st Assistant Director
“Introducing Sensored” for Sensored Magazine - Director
Feature film: “High Wire” - Director’s Assistant
Feature film: “From the Corner of My Eye” - Assistant Art Director