We recently connected with Jennifer Arjune and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

When I think about what my parents did right, I realize they gave me the greatest gifts a child could ever receive, sacrifice, encouragement, and belief.

My father ran his own business as a mechanic back home in Suriname, while my mother dedicated herself to caring for me and my siblings. Even with limited resources, they found ways to expose us to the world beyond our neighborhood, enrolling us in swimming and Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form that taught discipline, grace, and storytelling. Through dance, I also learned to act, which led me to perform in theatre and even appear in a radio commercial as a child. Looking back, I see that this was my parents’ first gift: they nurtured my curiosity and gave me space to explore who I was.

When we moved to New York, my life took another unexpected turn. One day at the mall, a lady approached my mom and said I should model. My mom didn’t dismiss the idea, instead, she asked me what I wanted. When I said yes, she spent her hard-working money we didn’t easily have on professional photos, simply because she believed in my dream. That one choice opened doors I could never have imagined.

I began modeling but soon realized my true love was for acting and storytelling. I attended BMCC College, where I performed in short films, plays, which included a hip-hop musical at Tribeca Theatre. One day, while auditioning for a play called Marisol, my professor invited me to sit beside him as an assistant director. I took that role, not realizing it would completely change my path.

In 2020, I directed a play at the CUNY Theatre Festival, and though I graduated during COVID, that moment of isolation became a new beginning. I transferred to Brooklyn College, changed my major to Film Production, and began directing short films from home. For the first time, I discovered how deeply I loved the creative process, building worlds, guiding actors, and bringing stories to life.

My thesis film, Purpose, was the most challenging project I’d ever done. I wore too many hats, producer, writer, director and also worked on the creative process of set design, castings, and costume design but every obstacle taught me resilience. Purpose went on to be screened at Brooklyn College, where it received both the Political Human Rights Award and the People’s Choice Award.

When Purpose went on to receive multiple nominations including Big Apple Film Festival, NYLIFF, and awards, including Best Student Film, Best Actor, and Best Ensemble Cast (2023–2024), I thought of my parents. They were the ones who showed me what perseverance looks like, my dad’s dedication to his craft, my mom’s tireless work ethic, and their unshakable faith that we could “figure it out,” no matter how tough things got.

From them, I learned discipline, humility, and courage, the kind that keeps you going when things fall apart on set or life takes unexpected turns. They instilled in me the importance of education, the belief that learning opens doors no one can close. Because of them, I finished college, directed award-winning films, and now, in 2025, I’ve written three feature films and am developing a series of my own.

Everything I am, as an artist, a dreamer, and a filmmaker exists because my parents believed in me long before I believed in myself. They taught me that no matter where you come from, you can build a life that tells your story boldly. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

Go big or go home, because that’s what they taught me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a filmmaker, director, and storyteller who believes in the power of authenticity and emotion. My work centers on purpose, resilience, and identity, themes that continue to guide both my creative voice and my personal growth.

I’ve always been fascinated by the human experience, what drives people, what breaks them, and what helps them rise again. My approach to storytelling begins with that curiosity. Whether I’m writing, directing, or collaborating with other artists, my goal is to create stories that feel alive, honest, layered, and deeply human.

Being Caribbean-born and New York–raised gave me a dual lens on the world. My roots taught me strength and adaptability, while my experiences in New York exposed me to constant creativity and reinvention. That balance between discipline and daring, is what shapes my voice as a filmmaker today.

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My Artistic Approach

As an artist, I’m drawn to stories that challenge perception and reveal truth. I start with emotion, not structure. I want audiences to feel something before they try to understand it. My process is intuitive, it’s about capturing the energy of a moment, the vulnerability of a glance, or the tension between silence and speech.

I also believe in collaboration as a creative force. Film is a conversation, not a monologue, and the best work comes when everyone involved brings their voice, culture, and ideas to the table.

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From Purpose to Juniverse

My thesis film, Purpose, marked an important turning point for me, not just as a filmmaker, but as a person. That project reminded me that storytelling can be both deeply personal and universally resonant. It gave me the confidence to build something larger: a home for stories that move beyond one film.

That vision became Juniverse Productions, a creative company I founded in 2024. Juniverse represents my belief that storytelling has no borders, that we each live in our own universe of experiences, and through film, we can invite others into it. The company focuses on emotionally charged, socially conscious projects that spotlight diverse voices and authentic human stories.

Through Juniverse, my mission is to create work that connects and uplifts, stories that don’t shy away from truth but celebrate the courage it takes to live it.

In 2025, I’m continuing to expand that vision. I’ve written three feature-length screenplays and I’m developing a series that explores identity, transformation, and emotional survival themes that reflect the same creative DNA that’s guided me from the start.

Ultimately, my work, whether it’s under my name or through Juniverse, is about connection. I want people to see themselves in the characters I create and to feel that their stories matter.

For me, filmmaking isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about honesty, about showing the beauty, chaos, and humanity that make us who we are.

That’s what drives me every day.
And that’s the heart of my purpose.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. My mission has always been to create stories that reflect truth, emotion, and humanity, stories that remind people they’re not alone. Through my work and my production company, Juniverse Productions, I want to build a space where diverse voices and real experiences are not only represented but celebrated.

For me, storytelling is about connection. It’s about holding up a mirror to the world and saying, this is what it feels like to be human. Whether I’m writing, directing, or producing, I try to approach every project with honesty and intention. My goal is to create films that move people, that make them pause, reflect, and see themselves differently.

Juniverse was born out of that purpose. It’s more than a company; it’s a creative universe built on authenticity, collaboration, and representation. I want to tell stories that challenge stereotypes, elevate underrepresented voices, and explore the beauty and complexity of identity.

At the heart of my creative journey is the belief that film can inspire empathy and healing. If someone walks away from my work feeling seen, understood, or encouraged to chase their own purpose, then I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to have everything figured out before taking the next step. For a long time, I thought I had to be fully prepared, that every project had to be perfect before I shared it with the world. But creativity doesn’t thrive in certainty; it thrives in risk.

When I began directing and producing, I often questioned whether I was ready, whether I knew enough or belonged in those spaces. But each time I took a leap, even when I didn’t have all the answers, I grew. I discovered that the process itself is where the real learning happens.

Now, I embrace imperfection as part of the journey. Mistakes don’t define me; they refine me. That mindset has made me braver and more open to creative flow.

It’s also at the heart of Juniverse Productions, creating fearlessly, learning continuously, and trusting that every uncertain step leads somewhere meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juniverseproductions?igsh=MTNlanFqNnp6dGYwcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-arjune-4b8a09260?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app