Jenna is a filmmaker and award winning actor who graduated with distinction from the New York campus of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

She moved to Toronto in 2010 and started her Canadian career with rave reviews for her work on the webseries LESlieVILLE and the “Patron’s Pick” production of Eric Brogosian’s Skunkweed in Toronto’s 2015 Fringe festival.

Jenna had the distinct pleasure of working with Chris Ross on the short film Friends on Facebook, which premiered at the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival.  The film had its Toronto premiere at the Canadian Film Festival as a part of the Home Grown Shorts program and went on to screen at the Kingston Canadian Film Fest, LA Indie Film Fest, the Deep Cut Film Festival, Kansas City Film Fest and the fabulous The Broad Humor Film Festival in Los Angeles.

After a successful festival run with Friends on Facebook, Jenna stepped behind the camera to write and direct Whenever You’re Ready, a darkly comedic look at the day in the life of struggling actor and the unique ways that she copes with the pressures of the industry. It premiered at the 20th annual Kinston Canadian Film Festival where it was shortlisted for the Jury Award.

Her second short film The Breakup, generously funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, made its world premiere at the tenth anniversary edition of the Chelsea Film Festival. Jenna will return to the Deep Cut Film Festival as a filmmaker with The Breakup this summer and she was recently interviewed by her alma mater about her artistic journey and the article can be found here.

Her third short film, Over the Edge, made its world premiere at the 2024 Kingston International Film Festival. It went on to screen at the Canada Screen Award qualifying Hamilton Film Festival and win the Best Female Protagonist award at the City of Angels Women’s Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Her latest project, which she wrote, produced and starred in, is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit. Uncomfy premiered at the IMAGE+NATION Festival Courts Queer Film Festival and went on to screen at many festivals including a return to the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and Canada Film Fest.

When she is not on set, in production, or working on her own projects, she can be found doing puzzles, eating pizza and hanging out with her dog, Otis.

ActingAward-DeepCutFilmFestival-2018

“Harder is clearly a talent to watch, as she brings so much to each scene, captivating in every frame.  Her ability to become a character really stood out, and she delivered a flawless performance.  She is so deserving of our Acting Award.”

“Though everyone was great, I would be remiss if I didn’t give extra attention … to Jenna Harder as Rainbow, who is a little underused considering how obviously talented she is.”

“NNNN”

IMDb