JESSZILLA

JessZilla is an award-winning feature documentary about Jesselyn Silva, a 15-year-old national boxing champion whose Olympic dreams are cut short when she gets a cancer diagnosis. In the face of unimaginable odds, Jesselyn chose to keep fighting and filming with the hope of raising awareness and showing others they can be “brave in the face of scary things” (to quote Jesselyn herself).

AVAILABLE NOW ON Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube Movies, Vimeo-On-Demand

IMPACT:

In honor of her legacy, we’ve partnered with the World Boxing Council (WBC) and CURE Childhood Cancer to launch the Jesselyn “JessZilla” Silva Fund, with the goal of raising over $550,000 to support other children in the midst of their own battles.

All proceeds go directly toward brain cancer research and family support.

You can see more about the film and our impact campaign at https://www.jesszillathefilm.com/

Awards:

Best Picture, Best Documentary, Best Director - Fargo Film Festival

2023 Special Jury Mention: Documentary Feature - Atlanta Film Festival

Outstanding Documentary Feature - Ridgefield Film Festival

Best Cinematography - Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival

Documentary Features Committee Spotlight Award, Slamdance Indie Awards

"If you’re going to watch any documentary, make it this one..."

Overly Honest Reviews, Chris Jones
"This documentary has already earned its place as one of 2025’s most inspiring documentaries…”

Film Focus Online, Romy Norton
"JessZilla from director Emily Sheskin, is a triumphant and deeply affecting documentary that goes far beyond the ropes of the boxing ring, recounting a young girl’s extraordinary journey."

Film Business, Arthur Wetherspoon
"In the world of boxing, stories of determination, grit, and sacrifice are familiar—but few resonate as deeply as that of Jesselyn 'JessZilla' Silva."

Just for Movie Freaks / Surya Komal
"It will leave viewers emotionally wrecked yet profoundly moved, reminded of both the fragility and the fierce beauty of life. That’s the core of JessZilla, a powerful and deeply affecting documentary..."

Film Obsessive, Chelsea Alexandra
"Sheskin draws a lot of drama and sweetness out of the sports angle and family dynamic. However, what pushes the movie into masterpiece territory is Jesselyn Silva herself."

Film Threat / Bobby LePire
"JessZilla is a warm documentary that wholeheartedly embraces the girl at its center – her grit, the ones who love her, and a passion that never wavered."

Beyond the Cinerama Dome / Tina Kakadelis
"None delivered a knockout punch quite like Emily Sheskin’s “JessZilla.” It contains the most joyous boxing sequences I have ever seen on film because each one is infused with the exuberant spirit of its titular subject..."

Cinema Femme / Matt Fagerholm
"Jesszilla impressively argues the fullness of her life, in moving fashion."

Decent Maybe / James C
"JessZilla...is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the World Boxing Council (WBC) and CURE Childhood Cancer."

Fighting for More Tomorrows: WBC and CURE Childhood Cancer Partner with JessZilla to Honor a Champion’s Legacy
"Commemorative belt presented in Honor and Memory of JessZilla"

The month of May celebrates the awareness of brain cancer and at the traditional meeting with the Mexican press, “Martes de Café”, the commemorative belt in honor of JessZilla and brain cancer awareness was presented.

Laurel_IDFA Competition for Youth Documentary 2023_black.png

Feature Competition Laurels 2023black.png

2023laurels_black_Special Jury Mention Documentary Feature.png

WINNER - Best in Show Best Director - Fargo Film Festival 2023.png

WINNER - Best in Show Best Picture - Fargo Film Festival 2023.png

WINNER - Best Documentary Feature - Fargo Film Festival 2023.png

RIIFF Laurels - FIRST Prize_Best Cinematographt.png

Winner - Ridgefield Independent Film Festival - Outstanding Documentary Feature (1).png

1113_Interview_String.00_00_02_02.Still001.jpg

JESSZILLA

AVAILABLE NOW ON Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube Movies, Vimeo-On-Demand

IMPACT:

In honor of her legacy, we’ve partnered with the World Boxing Council (WBC) and CURE Childhood Cancer to launch the Jesselyn “JessZilla” Silva Fund, with the goal of raising over $550,000 to support other children in the midst of their own battles.

All proceeds go directly toward brain cancer research and family support.

You can see more about the film and our impact campaign at https://www.jesszillathefilm.com/

Awards:

Best Picture, Best Documentary, Best Director - Fargo Film Festival

2023 Special Jury Mention: Documentary Feature - Atlanta Film Festival

Outstanding Documentary Feature - Ridgefield Film Festival

Best Cinematography - Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival

Documentary Features Committee Spotlight Award, Slamdance Indie Awards

"If you’re going to watch any documentary, make it this one..."

"This documentary has already earned its place as one of 2025’s most inspiring documentaries…”

"JessZilla from director Emily Sheskin, is a triumphant and deeply affecting documentary that goes far beyond the ropes of the boxing ring, recounting a young girl’s extraordinary journey."

"In the world of boxing, stories of determination, grit, and sacrifice are familiar—but few resonate as deeply as that of Jesselyn 'JessZilla' Silva."

"It will leave viewers emotionally wrecked yet profoundly moved, reminded of both the fragility and the fierce beauty of life. That’s the core of JessZilla, a powerful and deeply affecting documentary..."

"Sheskin draws a lot of drama and sweetness out of the sports angle and family dynamic. However, what pushes the movie into masterpiece territory is Jesselyn Silva herself."

"JessZilla is a warm documentary that wholeheartedly embraces the girl at its center – her grit, the ones who love her, and a passion that never wavered."

"None delivered a knockout punch quite like Emily Sheskin’s “JessZilla.” It contains the most joyous boxing sequences I have ever seen on film because each one is infused with the exuberant spirit of its titular subject..."

"Jesszilla impressively argues the fullness of her life, in moving fashion."

"JessZilla...is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the World Boxing Council (WBC) and CURE Childhood Cancer."

"Commemorative belt presented in Honor and Memory of JessZilla"

Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles