Chris Jones is an award-winning filmmaker from Baton Rouge, La. He is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Moving Image Arts with a concentration in directing. He received the University’s Charles E. Richard Scholarship for his achievements, leadership, and mastery in moving image arts. He was recognized as the 2016 Moving Image Arts Department’s Outstanding Graduate and was nominated to be the Outstanding Graduate of the College of Liberal Arts.

 

His directorial debut, "Pearl Motel," is a period piece set in the 1930s and 1950s. With a small budget, he was able to submerge his audience into a different time period. "Pearl Motel" earned Chris recognition as a New Orleans Film Society’s 2016 “Emerging Voice." The film later premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival the following year. Pearl Motel has had major success in the film festival circuit traveling to Atlanta, D.C., and New York City winning a number of awards including the Grand Prize Award of $1500 at the Cane River Film Festival.

 

More notably, Chris and his team achieved Top 5 Finalist status for the Louisiana French Culture Film Grant with his film, "Remember Freetown," where they were extended the opportunity to pitch their film to industry executives in New Orleans.

 

 In his latest film, The Candy Lady, Chris assumed the roles of producer and editor. The film led to a remarkable sweep at the 2023 LA Film Prize by not only securing the grand prize award of $25,000 but also earning the prestigious Founder’s Circle Award of $3,000, the Top 5 Finalist award of $1,000, and the Best Performance award. The Candy Lady continued its success at the Women's Comedy Film Festival Atlanta, where Chris won Best Editor. The film wen on to win Best Ensemble Cast and be nominated for Best Comedy.

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​Chris is currently in production for his latest film, Norma, a powerful story set in 1933 that follows a washed-up blues singer fighting to reclaim her voice and career on her own terms. This project was made possible in part by the National Performance Network’s prestigious Take Notice Fund, which awarded Chris a $5,000 grant to bring Norma to life. With a deep commitment to preserving and elevating Black stories, Chris continues to craft films that honor cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

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Chris's creative prowess extends beyond the film world, having produced nationally televised commercials, such as the ESPN-aired "Something Unexpected," which won the Silver award at the 2018 CASE District IV awards. His talents also extend to the stage, where he has performed in various plays and musicals within his local theater community. Most recently, Chris played the lead role in “The First,” a one-act comedy produced by 225 Theatre Collective in Baton Rouge. In fall 2024, Chris took to the stage with the Black Theater Experience, portraying Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play Topdog/Underdog. As one half of the intense two-man show, he delivered a demanding, emotionally layered performance that further showcased his range and commitment as an actor.

 

Chris Jones currently works as the Multimedia Specialist at LSU. He uses cinematic language to enliven and give character to the University through film. His projects aim to show the campus as an open and welcoming place that appeals to prospective and current students, their families, alumni, and others. 

 

Chris is also a thriving stand-up comedian who has taken his comedic talents far and wide, performing on stages at churches, schools, universities, and renowned comedy clubs, leaving audiences of all ages in stitches. Notably, Chris's comedic prowess earned him a coveted spot on season 13 of "Kenan Thompson Presents," triumphing over comedians worldwide. A masterful MC, he has hosted countless events and concerts, including "An Evening with Lyfe Jennings."

Sharing the stage with comedic heavyweights such as Benji Brown, Lav Luv, Nema Williams, Mario Tory, Marcus Combs, Shaddy Feel Good, and T.K. Kirkland, Chris has proven himself as a standout performer. His comedic journey even led him to cross paths with the legendary Martin Lawrence, a testament to the impact of his unique brand of humor.

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Chris recently etched his mark in the comedy scene with his first LIVE comedy special, aptly titled "It's Getting Dark," showcasing his ability to navigate the nuances of life with humor and charm. Chris' comedy not only lights up stages but also transcends the digital world, where he has captivated a substantial audience through his hilarious skits. His comedic charisma shines particularly bright on TikTok, boasting a following of over 115K and counting.