Jen Stafford is an Emmy-winning director who creates soulful, emotionally resonant films that ignite the human spirit. Raised in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, Stafford draws deep inspiration from a nature-focused life, often filming on location in remote corners of the world and letting the place become a character in the story.
Red Bull Media House, a natural fit, recruited Stafford in 2013 during her senior year at Emerson College, where she went on to direct action and adventure content for the next 10 years, filming athletes such as Lindsey Vonn, Max Verstappen, Matthew Stafford, Breanna Stewart, Daniel Ricciardo, Rose Lavelle, Hilary Knight, and Sue Bird. Her short film, “One Shot,” featuring Tyler Bereman, won the National Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Camera Work.
She has amassed a slate of commercial recognitions through collaborations with brands including Bud Light, Honda, JP Morgan Chase, Delta Airlines, and the US Marine Corps. Her debut film SAM received widespread festival praise, winning the Petite Prix at the 2023 Chelsea Film Festival and Best Picture at the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Film Festival and selections at multiple Oscar-qualifying festivals.