Based on true events from the early 1900s, JACK AND ANNA follows a young woman who was put on trial for cross-dressing and same-sex marriage.
Based on true events from the early 1900s, JACK AND ANNA tells the story of a young couple whose happy life on their farm is suddenly shattered when Jack’s biggest secret is revealed: the fact that he is a woman named Helen. After the revelation, Helen is put on trial for cross-dressing and same-sex marriage.
Ksenia Naughton is a Chicago-based film director, screenwriter, producer, and video editor whose work explores social justice, mental health, and stories centered on women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ communities. Driven by her own experiences, she is drawn to narratives of resilience, identity, and belonging, often focusing on female protagonists. Her films have screened at festivals worldwide. Her short film Jack and Anna screened at over 40 festivals, including the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival. It received the Best Global Short: Beyond the Rainbow Award at the 2019 SCAD Savannah Film Festival and earned Silver and Bronze honors at the 42nd Telly Awards. Ksenia has also been nominated for the Young Director Award at Cannes Lions and the Focus Features & JetBlue Student Short Film Showcase at the Gotham Awards. She is an alumna of the AICP Mentoring Program (Cycle 2), where she was mentored by Jennifer Sprunger of Ridley Scott Associates, and was a semi-finalist for the 2023 CDDP – Commercial Directors Diversity Program. In 2024, she was nominated for the Princess Grace Awards and the Tribeca Through Her Lens program. She is a member of BAFTA, Film Fatales, and NYWIFT.
SCAD Savannah Film Festival 2019 - Beyond the Rainbow Best Global Short
Cannes Lions 2020 - Shortlist Young Director Award
Telly Awards 2021 - Silver for Non-Broadcast
Co-Writer - Savannah Oakes
Actor - Brookelyn Hébert
Actor - Joe Chapleau
