Passionate Fighter for Justice, Independent Voices, and a Beloved and Brilliant Friend
Dear friends,
I had intended to take an August break from this weekly newsletter, but sometimes the desire to share an idea or experience…or in this case, a deeply felt tribute…disrupts intentions, just as the loss of such a life force as Jess Search disrupts views on life and leads to a collective mourning by a global community who knew and loved her.
A treasured time with Jess and Beadie in July 2023
Jess Search, a formidable force in the documentary community, and in the lives of all who knew her or worked with her as co-founder of the Doc Society, died last week from brain cancer at the age of 54.
Jess wouldn’t approve of our mourning, as she, herself, faced death with the same courage and resoluteness (and yes, sometimes humor) that she brought to challenging every injustice that she experienced or witnessed.
Only in this case, she didn’t question the injustice that feels so real to the rest of us when an extraordinary person passes from our lives and the world so unexpectedly and so young. In our last meal together, sitting with her beloved Beadie, she focused on the future plans for Doc Society, determined to optimize even her diagnosis to increase support for the organization she founded and that will continue to be a singularly effective community of independent documentary filmmakers.
Jess was a singularly effective force for good in the world, and also a good and much loved friend who showed up whenever and however and wherever for me, and for so many, many others. She is still showing up for me, as this day and for many, many other days to come, begins with thoughts of her still disrupting the order, challenging the conventional, engaging new admirers, inspiring all who cross her path, in whatever sphere she inhabits now, feeling her irresistible spirit.
With honor, respect, and love…watch this video for a few moments of Jess captured by the Skoll Foundation’s grateful team who had the privileged to work with her as a host at many Skoll World Forums, and read the best (in my opinion) of the many obituaries capturing more of her memorable life impact in the Guardian.
Onward!
- Pat
