Jennifer Brea

Jennifer Brea is a documentary filmmaker and activist whose work focuses on personal storytelling, public health advocacy, and social justice. Brea holds an AB from Princeton University and was a PhD candidate in the Department of Government at Harvard University, studying political economy and statistics, before illness interrupted her academic career. Prior to her graduate studies, she worked as a freelance journalist in China and East and Southern Africa.

While a PhD student, Brea experienced a sudden illness that left her bedridden. As her condition progressed, she lost the ability to sit in a wheelchair, and her symptoms were initially dismissed by medical professionals. In response, Brea began documenting her experience with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and connected with others living with the condition. This self-documentation became the foundation for her debut feature film.

Her first feature, "Unrest," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received the US Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing. The Emmy-nominated documentary has screened in more than 30 countries, aired nationally on PBS's Independent Lens, and was acquired by Netflix. "Unrest" was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. The film is used as an educational resource for clinicians, nurses, and social workers in the United States. Brea also co-created "Unrest VR," an immersive media project that received the Sheffield Doc/Fest Alternate Realities Award.

Brea delivered a widely viewed TED Talk about ME at the TED Summit in Banff, Canada, which has been translated into more than 25 languages. The Root included her in its Root100 list of influential African Americans, and she was recognized as ProHealth's ME/CFS Patient Advocate of the Year.

Brea co-founded #MEAction, a global network for patients with ME, which launched the #MillionsMissing movement. This patient-centered protest displays hundreds of empty shoes to represent the 25 percent of ME patients who are housebound or bedbound. The film "Unrest" has been viewed by policymakers on Capitol Hill, and #MillionsMissing protests continue to raise awareness for those affected by ME. Through her filmmaking, advocacy, and public speaking, Brea is recognized for her contributions to chronic illness awareness, disability rights, and health equity.