Fire Within Productions

Jenna Avriel Rice is a multidisciplinary storyteller who’s work includes scripted series, documentary work, and multimedia-installations using photo and video elements.

The world events that Jenna documented in her early career as a photographer have influenced the type of stories she is inspired to tell. Time spent documenting the No DAPL pipeline protests in Standing Rock, ND on the great Sioux Nation, along with fighting coal companies occupation and continual harassment of Dine/Hopi tribes in the Black Mesa region of Arizona, helped inspire Jenna’s scripted limited series Oil & Water. The series pilot won the collegiate competition at the renowned Seriesfest festival, and received a live read with distinguished actors from ER, Reservation Dogs, Poker Face and HBO’s Perry Mason.

Documenting personal stories from the 6,000 strong migrant caravan coming up from Central America in 2018, and gaining a deeper understanding of the political corruption behind it all, Jenna’s was inspired to write the feature script Contra La Tormenta.

Jenna’s scripted short film You, Me and Gasoline deals with the messy process of grief, inspired by the loss of her mother as a teenager. The film screened at numerous festivals throughout the US and internationally, garnering nominations for Best Actress and Best Cinematography.

Currently, Jenna is working on a short documentary titled Into the Chutes about a Queer, Black, Nonbinary bull rider who follows their dream of becoming a competitive bull rider in the international Gay Rodeo circuit and beyond. 

With a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Film and Television from Stephens College, and a BA in Cultural Studies and Fine Art from Evergreen State College, Jenna is drawn to stories that explore themes around social justice, environmental justice, immigration/migration, trauma and healing. No matter the theme, she aspires to tell engaging stories that challenge the viewer’s preconceptions, while also opening their heart to the subject matter.