Jessica Redish : Director Spotlight

Wayfarer Theaters Highland Park will present a special Director Spotlight of short films by director, writer, and choreographer Jessica Redish on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 4:00pm. The event will showcase a curated selection of Redish’s acclaimed comedic and musical short films, followed by exclusive previews of her newest work and a look at upcoming projects.

Jessica’s work has been described by Hollywood Digest as “hilariously twisted,” reflecting her love of detail, honesty, and compulsion in storytelling. Director in attendance! A Chicago and Highland Park native and Northwestern University alum, Redish has been recognized by The Chicago Tribune for her production of Merrily We Roll Along as one of Chicago’s top Sondheim productions and won a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography for Silence! The Musical.

The retrospective will feature: * The Last Croissant: A woman will do whatever it takes to get the last croissant. Winner, Best Comedy, at the Los Angeles Film Festival; Winner, Best Director, at the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival * AIRWAY: A woman imagines the worst when her seatmate refuses Airplane Mode. Winner, Best Micro Comedy, at the Women’s Comedy Film Festival in Atlanta; Winner, Best Comedy, at the LA Under the Stars Film Festival * Exit, Pursued by a Bear: A determined Angeleno tries to trap a bear in her neighborhood. Winner, Stage 32 Short Film Contest * Instacart: A simple grocery delivery becomes anything but ordinary. * Getting Out: A woman struggles to leave her home during the pandemic. * Tailored to You: A wheelchair user and tailor working at her beloved adaptive alterations shop is thrown for a loop when an attractive tailor is hired to take over store operations. * Brighter Days: A young woman coping with childhood trauma dreams of escape. * Cat.: A dating coaching service leads a woman to confront her deepest desires. Winner, Audience Choice Award and Best Comedy, at the Rock the Shorts Film Festival; Winner, Best Director, at the Comedy FEEDBACK Film & Screenplay Festival; Winner, Audience Choice Award, at the Calabasas Film Festival.

Audiences will also get a first look at a new trailer from Redish’s upcoming musical feature, along with select choreographic works and music videos. Redish will introduce her forthcoming feature and share insights into her creative process. Known for blending humor, psychological insight, and stylized storytelling, Redish’s films often center on women navigating heightened, sometimes absurd circumstances.