Janessa St. Pierre’s ‘Hair Or No Hair’ Starring Cody Kearsley, Ryrla McIntosh, Karen Holness Begins Filming in Vancouver

Hair Or No Hair, the latest dramatic feature from award-winning filmmaker Janessa St. Pierre, has begun filming in Vancouver, BC.

St. Pierre writes, directs, and stars alongside Cody Kearsley (Riverdale, Virgin River), Ryrla McIntosh (Longlegs, Under Wraps 2), Karen Holness (Chicago, Firefly Lane), and Tandia Mercedes (A Safe Distance).

Also joining the cast are Brandy Ledford (Baywatch, Modern Family), Lucky Onendo, Alexandra Roberts (Until Branches Bend), Ali Froggatt (She Talks to Strangers), Miranda Edwards (Mean Girls, Snowpiercer), Michelle Choi-Lee (Longlegs, Joy Ride), and Chris Shields (The 100, Riverdale).

Developed from her short film of the same name, the film follows a young Black woman who is hiding her alopecia when she receives a new wig and a sentient hair painting in her home springs to life, pushing her to break free from Black hair culture and rediscover who she truly is.

St. Pierre’s short film travelled the festival circuit in 2023, premiering at LA Shorts Film Festival, Slamdance, and the Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest, formerly VIFF), and winning awards at numerous festivals including the La Shorts Festival, Micheaux Film Festival and GEMFest.

“I’m determined to walk away knowing this story is going to make an impact on so many lives for the better,” says St. Pierre. “I hope sharing about this life shifts hearts, minds, and perspectives. I want people to unlearn Hollywood’s programming on how to perceive ‘baldness’ — I also think of all the little alopecian girlies that live in this superficial society, and this is for them. You’re worthy, you’re beautiful, and you don’t have to hide.”

The feature adaptation expands the world of the short with a Black-led team. The film is written, directed and produced by Janessa St. Pierre, produced by Mariam Barry, co-produced by Mimi Dejene, and the Director of Photography is Leo Harim who has been a camera operator on films including Longlegs, The Monkey, Black Mirror and The Young People. Odera Igbokwe is contributing original art to the film and Emmy award-winning puppeteer Dusty Hagerud is attached, a member of the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket people of the Lower East Kootenays, who is known for his puppetry work on Fraggle Rock (Apple+, Emmy win) and on hip-hop music videos for Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Tory Lanez’s “Music To My Ears”. Pearl Lowe is also attached as story editor, known for their work on the Academy award-winning Hair Love and their NAACP award-winning Canvas.