J. Christian Jensen is an Oscar® Nominated filmmaker whose storytelling explores the tensions between political ideology, science, religion, modernization and traditional values. He seeks out intimate, human stories that provide insight into larger social movements and institutions. He works as an independent filmmaker and educator and his creative work has been presented at over 50 film festivals and universities around the world.

University Film and Video Association (UFVA) Graduate Student Fellowship, 2013
Carole Fielding Student Grant, 2013
Telluride Student Symposium Fellowship, 2013
Carmen Christensen Fellowship, 2012-13
Robert Flaherty Film Seminar Graduate Student Fellow, 2012

hd video
JUNE, 2013
VIDEO DURATION: 19:27 MIN.
KQED Film School Shorts Interview
Stanford News Interview
Watch Video

A winter portrait of North Dakota's oil boom as seen through unexpected eyes.

Awards, Festivals, and Screenings

Nominee, Documentary Short Subject, Academy Award, 2015
Silver Award Winner, Documentary Category, Student Academy Award, 2014

Outstanding Documentary, Windrider International Student Film Festival (WISFF), 2016

Winner, Festival Award, Heartland Film Festival, 2014

Jury Award for Best Short, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, 2014

Jury Award for Cinematography, Slamdance, 2014

Jury Award for Best Cinematography, Fargo Film Festival, 2014

Directing Award, Doc Utah, 2014

Honorable Mention for Best Student Film, Fargo Film Festival, 2014
Napa Valley Film Festival, 2014

United Nations Association Film Festival, 2014

Melbourne Environmental Film Festival, Australia, 2014

Logan Film Festival, 2014

Dallas Videofest, 2014

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, 2014

New Orleans Film Festival, 2014

St. Petersburg International Festival of Debut and Student Films, Russia, 2014

Plein la Bobine, International Film Festival for Young Audiences, France, 2014

Palm Springs ShortFest, 2014

Ivy Film Festival, 2014

Black Hills Film Festival, 2014

Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, 2014

Sydney Film Festival, 2014

Festival Plein la Bobine, 2014

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, 2014

Thin Line Film Fest, 2014

Documenta Madrid, Spain, 2014

Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival, Germany, 2014

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, 2014

Sarasota Film Festival, 2014

Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival, GREECE, 2014

Yale Environmental Film Festival, 2014

FIPA - Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels, Biarritz, France, 2014

Interview in Frontrunner Magazine

Press

• http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/film-review-2015-oscar-nominated-short-films-documentary-1201438543/
• http://www.documentary.org/feature/white-earth-takes-meditative-look-boom-town
• http://stanfordartsreview.com/documenting-sincerity-in-j-christian-jensens-white-earth-unaff-2014/
• http://www.stanforddaily.com/2015/02/23/j-christian-jensen-oscar-nominee-discusses-his-film-and-the-creative-process/

---

ALPHA & OMEGA 

hd video
JUNE, 2012
VIDEO DURATION: 8:02 MIN.
Watch Video

An existential consideration of the furthest reaches of time and space.

Awards, Festivals, and Screenings

Region 1 Finalist, Documentary Category, Student Academy Award, 2013

---

Between Land and Sea 

hd video
Co-directed by Sarah Berkovich
MARCH, 2012
VIDEO DURATION: 9 MIN.
Watch Video

A couple living in a lighthouse on a tiny island experiences a collision of romanticism and reality.

Awards, Festivals, and Screenings

Nominee, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, 2013

Best Local Short, Palo Alto International Film Festival, 2012

Mt. Hood Independent Film Festival, 2013

Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, 2013

Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, 2013

Bernal Height Outdoor Cinema, 2013

University Film and Video Association (UFVA) Conference, 2013

Provincetown International Film Festival, 2013

Palm Springs International ShortFest, 2013

SF DocFest, 2013

Wallabout Film Festival, 2013

Buying and Selling: Stanford Student Filmmakers on Bay Area Economies, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, 2013

DOC NYC, 2012

Mill Valley Film Festival, 2012

Napa Valley Film Festival, 2012

Pacific Film Archive Student Film Showcase, 2012

"Party on the Edge", Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, 2012

---

Out of Body 

16mm black & white film
DECEMBER, 2011
VIDEO DURATION: 4:15 MIN.
Watch Video

A scientist challenges the limitations of her mind and body – and conspires against death.

Awards, Festivals, and Screenings

Director's Citation,  Black Maria Film + Video Festival, 2013

Aeon Film (streaming), 2014

Mt. Hood Independent Film Festival, 2013

Williamsburg International Film Festival, 2013

University Film and Video Association (UFVA) Conference, 2013

Nevada City Film Festival, 2013

Wallabout Film Festival, 2013

Logan Film Festival, 2013

Next Frame Student Film Festival, 2012-2013

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, 2013

Short Short Story Film Festival, 2012

San Francisco Black Film Festival, 2012

Silverscreen Film Festival, 2012

San Francisco Frozen Film Festival, 2012