See It, Be It 2024: Jessica Stahl
Cartoonist and freelance creative director Jessica Stahl is no stranger to the deep end. Eight years ago she took the leap with a one-way ticket from America to Amsterdam, where she has since been living. What followed was a long and tiresome job search, during which Jessica had managed to convince a group of 17 university students to let her live in their flat, while occasionally visiting her friend in Edinburgh to navigate her way through EU immigration law.
At the time, it became clear to Jessica that she had to take ownership of her situation - this led her to creating Vanilacooldance, an illustrated character that represented the “confident, outspoken and shameless parts,” within her and all of us, thus gaining an international audience that resonated with her message.
This year, as part of the Cannes See It, Be It Scheme, Jessica urges women in the industry to do exactly what she did when things looked tough - “blaze their own trails,” stay authentic to their path and keep a ‘fuck it, let’s go’ mentality.
See it
Tell us about a woman who has inspired you in your career.
My grandma, Grannie Annie, is a huge inspiration to me. At 97 years young, she continues to defy expectations. From field hockey player to PE teacher, travel agent, and mother of three, I’m in awe of how she’s always embraced her individuality and spoken her mind. Last year, she even visited me in Amsterdam! How can you not be inspired? Her adventurous spirit, ability to connect with anyone and unwavering support have instilled in me the values of bravery and perseverance. She's a daily reminder that there are limitless possibilities in life, regardless of age or gender.
Be it
How have you incorporated the lessons and insights you gained from women in your life and in creative/professional fields into how you approach life and your career?
Unapologetic women who blaze their own trails and empower through authenticity have always been a guiding light for me. Drawing from their examples, I carve my own path - whether it’s moving to Amsterdam without a job or speaking up about taboo topics. This is what led me to create Vanillacooldance, a cartoon and global community where I turn personal stories into bold illustrations with a dash of sass to open conversations on sexuality, relationships and the body. Through my work, I challenge societal norms and break down stigmas holding people back from embracing their shameless selves - in the bedroom, boardroom, and everywhere in between.
Do It
How does that translate into the work? Tell us about some of the campaigns you've been involved in that you're really proud of. What challenges did you overcome to bring them to life?
My favorite ideas often start with a ‘fuck it, let’s go’ mentality. That's how I ended up hijacking Amsterdam's King's Day with a provocative campaign for equality in the bedroom. Together with my incredible community we took over the streets with giant cartoons of the Dutch Royal couple in an intimate act, boldly proclaiming "A True King Knows Who Comes First." I am blown away by the impact, from the millions reached online, to the lines of people that engaged with the art. And most importantly, the
conversations sparked championing the message to #CloseTheOrgasmGap. It's become an annual tradition, and I can't wait to take it international.
Share it
What messages or words of advice do you have for the next generation of women coming into the industry? And tell us about anything that you do to support and lift up women in the industry
Find your voice and share it. You don't need the perfect brief or permission to create. If you want to see something in the world, make it. If you want to change something in the world, act on it. If you don't know how, ask. People will want to help! And if you fail, so what? It’s only failure if you stay down and with each idea you bring to life you cultivate your own unique style.
I'm passionate about supporting women through various initiatives, including leading workshops and collaborating with organizations like Umaversity, WOMEN Inc., and SheSays. Additionally, my platform Vanillacooldance provides a safe space for shameless conversations.
Portfolio: jessicastahl.com
Vanillacooldance instagram: instagram.com/vanillacooldance
See It Be It is a LIONS initiative aiming to achieve equal gender representation among creative directors and leaders across the global industry. The programme is open to all women, trans-identifying and non-binary people. For any enquiries, please get in touch at seeitbeit@canneslions.com.
Further information on applying for See It Be It 2025 can be found here.
