Photo: Jesse Ray Sheps and Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Jesse Ray Sheps is a sixteen-year-old actor born in New York who has already distinguished himself in both the acting and modeling world.
Jesse recently released movie All Square he stars opposite Emmy nominated actors Michael Kelly (House of Cards) and Pamela Adlon (Better Things). All Square was the winner of the best narrative film award at SXSW and has scored an amazing 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Jesse received great critical reviews for his starring role performance in All Square. For his performance in All Square, Jesse won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Vegas Movie Awards.
Jesse’s love for film led him to launch the Fire Island Film Festival. The goal of the Fire Island Film Festival is to create opportunities for filmmakers and actors to come together to share their story and to recognize their accomplishments. “We just had our first festival, and it was an incredible success. We had nearly 300 filmmakers submit their films and we selected 8 truly beautiful ones to be screened.” Jesse Ray Sheps
What is it about the entertainment business that you enjoy the most?
I think there are really two main things. First, I love the opportunity to act and to portray characters with different background experiences. I enjoy bringing them to life from the pages of a script. The second is the chance to meet some amazing artists who have so many unique life experiences to share and learn from them.
You gained recognition for your lead role in “All Square” opposite Emmy nominated actors Michael Kelly (House of Cards) and Pamela Adlon (Better Things). What led you to this role?
There was a nationwide audition for this role with many talented young actors trying out for the part. The script was really so rich, and the character that I played had so many layers and complexities to him that I knew I wanted this role, since you often do not get that sort of opportunity as a young actor. On top of all that, the chance to work with brilliant veteran actors such as Michael and Pam was a dream for me.
What has been your favorite role?
I really have been blessed to be able to play many different characters and I am kind of attached to all of them- but I really did love the role of David that I did for a film called, “Such a Funny Life.” David was a young boy faced with abusive father and a mother who battled mental illness. Yet, he was still able to find humor in life- a good lesson for us all.
Tell us about the Fire Island Film Festival.
The Fire Island Film Festival just started out as a crazy dream during COVID, I wanted to build a film festival that was dedicated to creating a platform for young filmmakers and actors, and to give them a chance to share their visions and a platform to exchange their ideas and grow. I also thought that if these artists had a chance to work together, to not only celebrate independent film, but also to collectively use the film festival as a vehicle to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that it could help so many people on so many different levels. I am truly excited about uniting everyone to celebrate film, fundraise for St. Jude’s, and learn more as to why Fire Island is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. I am so thankful for those who trusted me to showcase their work and to of course my parents for letting me see where this amazing journey would lead.
What have you learned while organizing the film festival?
I have learned a great deal about the business side of the industry in terms of production, financing, and marketing. From a personal perspective, I have probably learned most from watching the many dozens of submissions from foreign filmmakers who made their films from places as far as China and Iran. Watching these filmmakers tell their stories in so many different ways and languages led me to realize that people are actually quite similar in their hopes and dreams, despite their geographic or linguistic differences. No matter where the filmmaker was from, they each tried to share a movie that focuses on the human spirit, something universal to everyone.
Share your mission for young filmmakers.
The goal of the Fire Island Film Festival is to create opportunities for filmmakers and actors to come together to share their story and to recognize their accomplishments. We just had our first festival, and it was an incredible success. We had nearly 300 filmmakers submit their films and we selected 8 truly beautiful ones to be screened. The directors and stars associated with the films came to discuss them with the audience, and we were blessed with amazing industry veteran actors such as Isiah Whitlock and Robert John Burke who were in attendance to help celebrate independent films.
Giving back is very important to you. Tell us about your work to help kids.
I became very emotionally involved with St Jude’s a few years ago after watching many documentaries about their amazing work. I decided to donate salary from one of my films to purchase different holiday gifts for the children, who really are the ultimate heroes. The Film Festival hopefully provides us with an opportunity to expand that support even further.
What’s next for you?
In addition to the film festival, and writing, I just finished a film which I am excited about. I am really just taking things one day at a time to be able to work on interesting projects and help as many people as I can.
Fire Island Film Festival website: https://fifilmfest.com/
Instagram is @jesserayofficial