July 2026 - Jill Ruddock and Caroline Auckland - Current and Past Presidents of Soroptimist International Tunbridge Wells & District
Producers of “80 Years of Making a Difference” |
Commission - “80 Years of Making a Difference” - Creative Consultant, Editor, Sound Designer, Audio Mixer and Graphic Designer
Working with Jeanne has been both a privilege and a pleasure. We feel truly privileged to have benefited from Jeanne’s bottomless creativity, broad technical expertise and tireless pursuit of quality, all of which made possible the production of a high quality, professional film. Although Jeanne knew little of our organisation when we began the project, she listened actively to our briefing, undertook her own research and applied her very empathic personality to create a film which accurately and sensitively reflects our ethos, achievements and aims. At the outset we knew nothing about how to make a film, but without being patronising or condescending Jeanne guided us through the process, made clear who needed to do what and gave us a timeline. Suddenly, the dream became a reality! Jeanne is warm, energetic, funny and caring, with such a wealth of life experience that every meeting was an enjoyable interlude. She wears her talent remarkably lightly, with no trace of ego or self-importance, which made working with her so easy. We would like to think we’ve made a new friend |
Jeanne Pope is one of the most talented and empathetic film makers I know. She brilliantly captured a very important day in my life when I unveiled an art installation at the launch event of our Open Studio which was part of Art in June 2026 in Kent . Her creative filming, candid shots and interviews with family, friends and other exhibiting artists, her editing and her sensitive and clever use of the event's live music created fifteen minutes of joy, life and memory which I and my two daughters will treasure forever. Jeanne understands the power of narrative and this artwork had its own narrative.
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June 2026 - Film
Sara Parker The installation was a memorial to my African Grey Parrot, Jakko who sadly died last year and I used his large parrot cage to display colourful fused glass birds and butterflies. Jeanne's brilliant use of close up shots mixed with music and my 'Jakko and bird sound design' playing from inside the cage, turned on film my static piece into something vibrant and living, There's also a particularly wonderful cut away to a real bird flying up into a clear blue sky. A big thank you Jeanne for your beautiful filmmaker's eye and sensitivities. And remember ' hope is a thing with feathers' Much love Sara xxx |
May 2026 - Digital Story Workshop
Susan Hatt I attended the Roundel Poetry workshop that Jeanne gave and was so impressed with the thoughtfulness and expertise shown and the possibilities that might lie in using film - but also very conscious of my own technophobia - that I thought that I would contact Jeanne and see if she could show me how to use the Canva programme. It was a very good decision. |
Jeanne very quickly realised that the way for me to learn was by doing, very much hands on and hoping that muscle memory would help overcome difficulties. That was not all. Jeanne is inspiring, so kind and so patient; very quick to see where problems were and nimble in suggesting ways around them, even if it meant approaching the issue from several different angles. She builds confidence through kindness and is very quick to praise and enthuse about successful steps. Her guidance through the possibilities of the programme and encouragement to experiment were very helpful. I am greatly looking forward to my next session with Jeanne on this exciting journey. |
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March - 2026
James Donaldson Roundel Poetry Tonbridge Dear Margaret. Please add my thanks to Jeanne, I not only enjoyed the process, learning something new. I also appreciated the sensitivity she showed in working with us. It has also opened up a whole new world of possibilities. I have written a series of “dialogues" and what I have learned from Jeanne has given me some food for thought regarding what I might do with them. Please do let her know how much I appreciated her help and her patience James |
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March - 2026
Margaret Beston Roundel Poetry Tonbridge Jeanne led a very successful workshop recently for our Roundel Poetry group, turning our poems into visual stories, (digital). She was very extremely generous with her time, working on our pictures and music in advance and endlessly patient on the day. We are all thrilled with the results which we hope to screen at an event later in the year. Feedback from the group was unanimously positive and, as one member commented: Jeanne is a consummate professional who knows how to transmit knowledge and skills in a non-threatening way. |
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Alison Bailey Castellina
2024-2026 Documentary Class "Jeanne (Pope) is a dynamic documentary film tutor and her tuition has literally 'changed' me: I have become a more creative and explorative person which I find very enriching and deeply satisfying. I now call myself 'a documentary filmmaker' and promote my films with confidence, knowing that I have been trained by a distinguished film maker in a skill which is demanding, rewarding, culturally valuable and influential. I signed up for Jeanne's documentary film evening class in April 2024 with the aim of making good quality ten minute YouTube videos. Instead, after just over a year, I can make highly researched, educational films lasting an hour (which some feel could compete with the BBC's output). This is entirely due to Jeanne's expertise, her very high standards, her encouragement and her inspirational teaching style" |
2026 - Documentary Class
Bethany Pettifour |
Jeanne is one of those rare teachers who makes you feel like anything’s possible. From day one, she created a space where we all felt welcome to experiment, ask questions and actually learn rather than just tick boxes.
What sets her apart is how generous she is with her knowledge. She doesn’t just tell you what to do, she explains why, shares how she learned it herself and treats you like a collaborator rather than a student. When I’ve been stuck or overwhelmed, she’s gone above and beyond to help, whether that’s connecting me with people who can support my project or sitting down to work through a problem with me. She builds a real community in her classes. Everyone supports each other because that’s the tone she sets. She’s warm, kind and has genuine integrity. You can tell she actually cares about us and our work, not just as a teacher but as a person who wants to see us succeed. I came into this course not really knowing what I was doing and she’s helped me develop a documentary I’m actually proud of. If you get the chance to learn from Jeanne, take it. She’s brilliant! |
2026 - Documentary Class
Jenny French |
A message to Jeanne, my friend, our teacher !
I always heard when the student is ready the teacher will come; I waited 37 years to truly understand this meaning and to be able to experience what I can only describe as one of my happiest times. I’m not sure where to start because there is so many wonderful things to say about Jeanne, she not only taught me skills to becoming a documentary film maker, but she allowed me and taught me to really feel it. Jeanne’s experience and passion for film is second to none, this is what makes her teachings so exciting, because she comes on your journey with you! Jeannes warm , out of the box thinking makes you really understand why and what you are doing allowing you to really create something special. Thank you for helping me find my purpose, I will forever be grateful for your teachings and friendship. |
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October - 2025 - Commission
It has been a real pleasure working with Jeanne on my father’s story as a stonemason. I learned a great deal, and she truly surprised me with how she was able to bring the story together. You can watch it on YouTube, and I am very proud of it. We had a great film show in November, 2025, and will continue to show it around Tunbridge Wells. My father Robert Hassell |
Trinity Screening for Heritage Open Days - 8th - 21 September 2021
Dear Jeanne, Emma and Mike, and all at Friends of Woodbury Park Road,
On behalf of all at Trinity Theatre I wanted to send a note to acknowledge our collaboration for this year’s Heritage Open Days: Jeanne Pope and Emma Vidler curated between them two very successful events. The first was the exhibition in our Gallery space, The Architecture of Morality, which ran from 6th–21st September inclusively, showcasing the connection between our two burial sites, our shared history, and the history of Woodbury Park Cemetery itself. Our heritage work here at Trinity is dedicated to making local history accessible to the widest possible audience, and so it was a privilege to have the story of one of the area's "hidden gems" so beautifully interpreted. The exhibition drew in plenty of visitors to our Gallery space, and we hope boosted awareness of our own heritage offer here as well as for the work of FOWPC.
Viewers enjoyed Jeanne Pope's The Beginning and Philadelphia Carman – Every Life Matters. The screenings enjoyed the largest audience we have had for one of our Heritage Open Days events, with 171 seats booked. It was a privilege to have the story so beautifully interpreted, and to learn even more about another fascinating and important local landmark."
Laura Humphrey, Fundraising & Heritage Officer, Trinity Theatre
Dear Jeanne, Emma and Mike, and all at Friends of Woodbury Park Road,
On behalf of all at Trinity Theatre I wanted to send a note to acknowledge our collaboration for this year’s Heritage Open Days: Jeanne Pope and Emma Vidler curated between them two very successful events. The first was the exhibition in our Gallery space, The Architecture of Morality, which ran from 6th–21st September inclusively, showcasing the connection between our two burial sites, our shared history, and the history of Woodbury Park Cemetery itself. Our heritage work here at Trinity is dedicated to making local history accessible to the widest possible audience, and so it was a privilege to have the story of one of the area's "hidden gems" so beautifully interpreted. The exhibition drew in plenty of visitors to our Gallery space, and we hope boosted awareness of our own heritage offer here as well as for the work of FOWPC.
Viewers enjoyed Jeanne Pope's The Beginning and Philadelphia Carman – Every Life Matters. The screenings enjoyed the largest audience we have had for one of our Heritage Open Days events, with 171 seats booked. It was a privilege to have the story so beautifully interpreted, and to learn even more about another fascinating and important local landmark."
Laura Humphrey, Fundraising & Heritage Officer, Trinity Theatre
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Here is the first digital story I made in one of Jeanne's Workshops
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2025
Andrew Bailey Blogger - Art and Digital films View film (This is the work I created in one of Jeanne's workshops.) When I started filmmaking I was a complete beginner, but thanks to Jeanne I progressed so far that I was able to show my film to a large audience at the AGM of an association which I belong to. Jeanne is a very knowledgeable and helpful teacher, and always makes her classes interesting and fun. All you need to begin filmmaking is a mobile phone, a computer, and enthusiasm for your subject. I would highly recommend her classes and workshops to anyone taking their first steps in documentary filmmaking or even to anyone with some prior experience. |
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2025
Lisa Beaumont - Stroke Survivor Different Strokes Jeanne coached me on how to create digital stories so that the non-profit organisations for whom I volunteer can spread their messages using short videos which we can create from our own photographs. As a trainer she is calm, focused and adapts her approach to cater for each trainee’s needs. Furthermore, she was happy to give me support after the training session to polish the final output. I recommend Jeanne Pope to anyone who wants to learn how to create short digital videos regardless of their level of confidence. She wants to enable her students to allow them to shine independently. |
Here is the digital Story created during Jeanne's Workshop advocating for accessible toilets
 Gong Rumei - Dean
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Gong Rumei: 2024
2017 - 2024: Vice Dean 2011-2017．Dean the Department of Cinematography and Photographic Art School of Modern Creative Media, Beijing Film Academy. China You are a good teacher, enthusiastic, dedicated and loving to your students. I have listened to your classes many times since you came to work in the photography department. Whether it was in class or helping students with their homework or talking to them one-on-one, you were always so conscientious and dedicated. In my eyes, you are always enthusiastic, tireless and engaging. So I must say that you have contributed to the growth of the photography department and this school in Qingdao over the years and the photography department should be grateful to you! 您是一位好老师，热情、敬业、爱学生。自从您到摄影系工作以来，我听过很多次您的课。无论是在课堂上还是辅导学生做作业，或是与学生一对一交流，您都是那么认真，那么尽心尽力。在我的眼里，您永远是热情洋溢、不知疲倦、充满吸引力的样子。所以我必须要说一句，您在这些年里为摄影系和青岛这所学校的成长贡献了自己的一份力量，摄影系应该感谢您！ |
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Tao Gu - 2020
Filmmaker, cameraman, writer, producer Taming the Horse "Thank you dear Jeanne. It is an honour to have your creative thoughts which are printed in this film. With your love energy, passion and creative thoughts and encouragement this film can have its own soul finally. Thank you so much". (Consultant) Montgolfiere d'Or, Festival des Trois Continents 2017 Grand Prize for Best Canadian Feature, RIDM Montreal 2017 International Feature Competition, Visions du Reel Nyon 2017 |
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Helena Michie - 2019
Filmmaker, director, writer Jean: Voyage into Black Film consultant, technical consultant “Jeanne encouraged me to take the leap of faith and pick up the camera to make my film about Jean Capdeville, to put aside my fears and self-doubt and go ahead - not to wait for improbable funding and to ignore the naysayers who said I couldn’t do it because I was professionally untrained. I took her advice and am thankful - for without her support I would have stopped there and then. Since then she has she invited me twice to Montreal where I witnessed her commitment to the tough business of filmmaking first-hand, firstly with her completion of Dust: a Sculptor’s Journey (about her friend the late sculptor Stanley Lewis ), then in the filming of Chez Lise (her second documentary feature, about a low income boarding house and the love story of two of its residents with mental health issues)”. Helena's film JEAN CAPDEVILLE Voyage into Black has been selected for the Media Library 2020, Visions du Réel, International Film Festival Nyon. |
Jeanne helped me when I was totally stuck, blocked and wanted to give up with my first documentary. She helped me find another way to tell my story, I am grateful to have had the help, understanding and her guidance, and that she didn't give up on me! Thank you
Jennie Morriset. Montreal. Canada
Jennie Morriset. Montreal. Canada
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Dr. Bénédicte Ronfard 2020
Psychologue/Psychologist (Director/Scriptwriter) "I've known Jeanne forever it seems, and our friendship and interest in our respective work has traveled through time and countries. Her writings were at the root of a number of projects I worked on. Jeanne used to write a lot; I mean: A LOT! Mounds of short stories, some finished, some not, beginnings of ideas, of novels, reflections, erupted from her pen in what seemed to be an inexhaustible stream, fueled by people she met in the street, at work, at a café, while buying bred or sitting in a park. One of these gold nuggets, Lilith’s day off, was at the origin of a short film I edited, Anjelica, written and directed by James Galwey. Another one, The Dog, inspired him to write the scenario of what was to be my first feature film, Katryn’s Place. I rewrote Philadelphia from a short story for a script. Time passed, and she became a documentary film-maker, which, in retrospect, is the natural progression of her creative process because what she wrote were the stories of real people she sublimated through fiction. But life, when you dig deep into it, is already sublime if you know where and how to look, which is what Jeanne does. And now, in a wonderful reversal of her medium of expression, the quality of her documentaries is novel-like." |
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James Galwey - 2020
co-director of CHEZ LISE "What is it like to work with someone with a whirlwind of ideas and emotions in the head, someone not afraid of hard work and doing whatever is necessary to get the job done? Respectful and interested, and interesting, I found Jeanne to be the perfect foil to work with when we made Chez Lise, a documentary on a couple of mentally damaged souls living in a rundown, Montreal rooming house. Starting in 2009, it took us four years to make – following the couple’s story for three years and then 12 months of editing and polishing the final product – and over that time, we discussed and talked every step of the way. She was always open to my suggestions, as I was to her, and never afraid to try something new – even when she was not so certain. It was a pleasure to work with her. I watched the documentary not so long ago and I still find it touching, moving – but I think more than anything, the documentary is a reminder of a magical moment in time, and the pleasure I found in creating a beautiful object with someone I respect immensely." |
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Her way of class is very patient, she can always EASILY feel the students' ideas and needs, and try her BEST to help students overcome all kinds of problems. She is very inclusive, respects any ideas in creative and supports us . It seems to me a rare quality. She spent a lot of time on the students and the creation of documentaries, sometimes beyond her responsibilities and obligations, but she would also say, "this is my responsibility." Because enthusiasm and serious attitude, not only in the documentary learning infected me, in the face of the creation of this matter, my attitude has also changed, which is my great harvest."
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Gu Yifan - 2019
Graduate Student bfamcmc Jeannette Pope是我的纪录片课程的老师和专业英语课程的老师，我15年就和她认识了，她很早就开始教导我纪录片的创作。包括我的毕业作品，我选择了纪录片创作，并且进行了一个不同以往的尝试，personal documentary，这也是我的导师擅长的，她自己拍了一部时间跨度很长的个人纪录片，我在我的这次创作里她给我带来了很多灵感，在我第一次进行个人纪录片的创作时，如何把琐碎的、情感的镜头剪辑成一个带有脉络的叙事体，是一个难题，但这在J看来这是件非常顺畅的事情。我们前后关于纪录片的事情沟通了很多次，片子的完成同时，在这个过程里，我感受到了纪录片创作的乐趣。她的上课方式是非常具有耐心的，总是能轻松的感受到学生的想法和需求，并尽自己最大的能力去帮助学生克服创作中国遇到的种种问题，她的包容性很强，尊重在创作中存在的任何想法并且支持我们去实现。这在我看来是很难能可贵的品质，她在学生身上，在纪录片的创作上花费了很多时间，有时候是责任和义务之外的事情但她也会说“这是我的职责。 ”因为热情和认真的态度，不仅是在纪录片学习上感染了我， 在面对创作这件事，我的态度也发生了转变，这是我巨大的收获。 |
LightStar Awards
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TianHui Li - 2018
Graduate Student Jeannette is my university teacher in China and guided me during my documentary film. She is also helping with my MFA thesis defense at Concordia Film School, Montreal, CanadaShe mentored me, helping me complete my work for the LightStar Awards and my graduation project. Jeannette taught me the basics of editing, organizing my material, helping me find my idea, and guiding me through the process from rough cut to fine cut. She taught me not only the technical process but also the need to bring soul and passion to my work.As a documentary filmmaker, Jeannette has a wide range of themes and styles. I first met her when she came to our school to give a lecture and introduce her documentary film about the Montreal artist Stanley Lewis. When she spoke about the lens, how emotions can be built up, and the pursuit of “soul,” I was inspired, and I began following her work closely. I was thrilled when she became my teacher. She helped me find a path and create energy with my material, which I initially found difficult to handle, making it interesting and vibrant. She is engaging and lively in class, often communicating with students, and is very popular among them. Jeannette is a very conscientious and inspiring teacher. |
Li Xueyin
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Li Xueyin
Night Swim 11 minutes Fiction l'université d’été: La FEMIS For Jeanne 在2018年，我完成了我的毕业短片《夜航》，之后在青岛独立影展的放映后，我认识了jeanne，她给予了我深切的鼓舞，肯定了我在其中的影像表达手法，而在此之前的很长一段时间，我都陷入在对自己的怀疑的困境中。她给予了我继续创作的勇气，对电影的持续的热爱，对故事讲述的热情。除了积极的能量外，她还帮助了我重新修改了影片的英文字幕、影片的英文简介、故事梗概，使它变得更加完美。我非常感谢Jeanne对我的帮助和鼓励，而在此之后，通过这部影片，我幸运地入选了la FEMIS2019年的l’université d’été，而这一切都离不开Jeanne的帮助。 "In 2018, I finished my graduation short film Night Swim,and after the screening at QDIFF, I met Jeannette. She gave me a deep encouragement and affirmed my image expression skills. Before that, for a long time, I was in the predicament of doubting myself. She gave me the courage to continue to create, continue the loving of film, and the passion to tell stories. In addition to the positive energy, she helped me to revise the English subtitles, the English introduction and the outline of the story to make it more perfect. I'm very grateful for Jeanne's help and encouragement, which helps me get more chances too. After that, through this film, I was lucky to be selected in the l'université d’été of La FEMIS." |
 My Grandparents
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Zhang LuKun
Graduate Student My Grandparents First Prize for Documentary LightStar Awards 2018 "Wang Ying and Jeannette Pope helped me understand how to make a story from my images, and not just a documentary. Thank you teachers! " |
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Zou Qialing
Film history teacher First time documentary maker The Builder 30-minutes documentary 2017-2018 Film consultant - editing - English subtitles Winner: First prize - Shandong Short Film festival 2018 Guangzhou doc film festival - 2017 Asia Peace film festival - 2017 Hua International short film festival - 2017 "Jeannette taught me the tools I needed, never having made a documentary before. She gave so much time, patience to show me, guide me and share her creativity and skills with me. She came with me to film. She gave me courage. Thank you Jeannette." Jeannette Pope是我的同事 ，我的挚友，亦是我的导师。我已经记不清楚我们从何时相识，大概是三四年前，我告诉她我要拍一部纪录片，作为我硕士研究生的毕业作品。她主动对我说：“我一直做记录片，我可以帮助你。”我喜出望外，因为我之前做过编剧，拍过剧情短片，纪录片还是第一次拍，仅仅看过一点点理论书籍，可以说Jeannette的出现如给我带来了一根救命稻草，让我看到了希望。我迅速地与她讨论选题，我选中的是一个建筑工人，他叫石富华，人们都称他石老大，家住在远离青岛350公里的临沂市，为供养一双儿女读书，来到建筑工地打工，每一天工作十几个小时，每年仅回家一两 |
