Career
First Appearances: - Whatever Makes You Happy (2010) as
Most Important Roles: - Whatever Makes You Happy (2010) as
- Visionary (2012) as
- Black Cat Whiskey (2013) as Katie Connors
- Hard Profit (2016) as Lucy Fairbanks
- The Devil in White (2014) as Jill
- Money for Angels (2012) as Vivian
- Unfallen (2017) as Colfax
- Cross Cut (2015) as Ginger (actor)
- Inclusion Criteria (2018) as Chloe
- One Remains (2019) as Molly
Career Highlights: - Whatever Makes You Happy (2010)
- Visionary (2012)
- Black Cat Whiskey (2013)
- Hard Profit (2016)
- The Devil in White (2014)
- Money for Angels (2012)
- Unfallen (2017)
- Cross Cut (2015)
- Inclusion Criteria (2018)
- One Remains (2019)
Awards
Awards: - Nominated for 1 Outstanding Nonfiction Film (2014)
- Nominated for 1 Best Actress - Best Actress in a Short Film (2020)
- Won Best LGBTQ+ Short Film (2020)
- Won Best Horror Short - Best Horror Short (2025)
- Won Online Audience Award - Short Film (2020)
- Won Award of Excellence - March (2020)
- Nominated for 1 Dramatic Film Award - Best Dramatic Short (2021)
- Nominated for 1 Lead Actress Award - Best Lead Actress (Short) (2021)
- Won Apex Award - Best Film (2021)
- Won Programmer's Award - Outstanding Short Film (2020)
- Won Platinum Award - Best LGBTQ Short (2020)
- Won Platinum Award - Best Romantic Short (2020)
- Won Silver Award - Best Acting Duo (2020)
- Won Bronze Award - Best First Time Director (Female) (2020)
- Nominated for 1 June Award - Best LGBTQ Short (2020)
- Nominated for 1 June Award - Best Director (Female) (2020)
- Won July Award - Best Drama (2020)
- Nominated for 1 Festival Award - Best Queer Cinema (2020)
- Won October Award - Best Drama Film (2020)
- Won Spring Award - Best Horror (2025)
Full Biography
Vanessa Leigh is an American actress, writer, and award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles, known for her versatile contributions to the independent film scene. Born on March 22, 1988, in San Jose, California, she developed a deep passion for storytelling early on, which eventually led her to move to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue a career in film. Her career initially gained momentum through acting and producing, with notable roles in the sci-fi horror film Almost Human (2013), where she played Jen Craven, and appearances in projects like CO2 and Grown Ups 2.
In 2019, she took on a significant creative role in the mystery-horror thriller One Remains, not only starring as Molly but also serving as one of the film's writers. Beyond acting, Leigh has established herself as a director and producer. Her directorial debut, the narrative short Give (2013), was a deeply personal project chronicling her father's battle with Parkinson's disease and was filmed using her own savings on a used camera. Since then, she has produced and directed several award-winning shorts, including Sam & Emma (2020), and continues to develop new projects such as the upcoming horror film Ache. With a background that includes modeling and a wide range of athletic skills, she remains a dynamic figure in both the acting and production departments of the industry.
