Jeff Lester, a graduate of U.C. Berkeley, has been directing since 1996, winning multiple awards for his work. He was first recruited by Robert Redford's Sundance Channel to direct and produce segments of Sundance Dailies, a half-hour program highlighting the Sundance Film Festival. The show aired on both the Sundance Channel and Showtime. Continuing his relationship with the Sundance Channel, Lester created, wrote, produced and directed The Shorts Show, a series pilot focusing on the craft of short filmmaking, hosted by Academy Award winner, Laura Dern.  

Lester entered the world of filmmaking with his debut short film, The Last Real Cowboys, starring Academy Award & Golden Globes winner Billy Bob Thornton and legendary actor Mickey Jones. Jeff directed, produced and co-authored the story line with screenwriter Rudy Gaines. The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and went on to become a critical and audience favorite at over 30 international film festivals, including SXSW, Aspen Shorts Fest, and London Film Festival. At The New York Shorts International Film Festival the film picked up top awards for Best Comedy; at Telluride Mountain Film Festival it won for Best Short Film. The Last Real Cowboys was chosen as part of the iFilm/AMC Theaters premiere theatrical showcase for short films, making it eligible for Academy Award nomination. The short was licensed for on-demand distribution by Atom Films. A feature-length screenplay, loosely based on the short, was story lined by Lester, Gaines, and Thornton and then penned by Gaines and Lester. Thornton, a long-time friend of Lester, is attached to star. Lester is set to direct. 

The film Broken, starring Heather Graham and Jeremy Sisto, was created from an original story of Lester’s and written by collaborator, Drew Pillsbury. Lester and Pillsbury both served as co-producers on the project.  The film premiered at AFI Fest Film Festival and went on to have a limited theatrical release by First Look International.  

The short film Mr. President, directed by Lester, was shot and posted in 48 hours for the Elevate Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film screened for jury and audiences at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and took home top honors for Best Short Narrative Film (Jury Award), Best Short Narrative Film (Audience Award), and Best Director award for Lester.  

The short film Speed of Life was Lester’s first foray into documentary filmmaking. It is the story of competitive snowboarder Amy Purdy and her triumphant journey. The film premiered at Slamdance Film Festival and was an Official Selection at Aspen Shorts Fest, Maui Film Festival, Gaia Film Festival, Port Clinton International Film Festival and Heart of Gold International Film Festival. Speed of Life became viral hit on Current TV and was licensed by IndieFlix for on-demand distribution.  

Jeff has written/co-written two feature film screenplays which he’s attached to direct; Magic Bus and The Last Real Cowboys. A third screenplay is currently in the works; Blue Diamond Boyz.

Next for Jeff is a short film, The Meat Locker, which he wrote and will direct. Principal Photography is set to start in December.

He is founder of Big Picture Studios, a highly successful Las Vegas production company established in 1997.

Lester has shot hundreds of projects since he began directing, winning numerous awards for his work.

Jeff is married to actress/singer Susan Anton. She serves as Executive Producer on many of his projects. They divide their time between Las Vegas and LA.