Blessed
The Movie
A heartfelt comedy about J-Bird, her bike rental shop, the colorful customers who roll through, and the unbreakable bond with her assistant Linda.
Trailer link coming soon
One Summer.
Endless Stories.
At Jaybird's Bike Rental, bicycles are only the beginning. Every day, locals, tourists, musicians, and neighbors roll through the backyard gate, bringing with them laughter, unexpected adventures, and stories that could only happen in New Orleans.
Through the enduring friendship of J-Bird and her assistant Linda, Blessed celebrates the people who create community one small act of kindness at a time. As lives intersect through music, neighborhood traditions, and shared experiences, strangers become friends and ordinary moments become unforgettable.
Blessed is a heartfelt comedy that celebrates the spirit of New Orleans—its resilience, generosity, and joy—and reminds us that the richest journeys aren't measured in miles, but in the connections we make along the way.
Movie Poster
Coming Soon
Meet the Cast
J-Bird and Linda are the heart of Blessed.
J-Bird
Shop Owner
For nearly two decades, J-Bird has welcomed neighbors and visitors through the gates of her backyard bike rental. Practical, well-read, and quietly funny, she's built far more than a business—she's created a place where stories are shared, friendships take root, and everyone is made to feel at home.
Linda
Assistant
Linda is J-Bird's trusted assistant, closest friend, and greatest source of laughter. Quirky, quick-witted, and full of heart, she has an instinctive understanding of people and a gift for finding joy in every situation. Together, she and J-Bird prove that the deepest friendships aren't built on having the same background—they're built on curiosity, loyalty, and love.
The Neighborhood
Locals, Visitors & Friends
Musicians, tourists, regulars, and neighbors who roll through the backyard gate—bringing laughter, unexpected adventures, and stories that could only happen in New Orleans.
About the Crew
Writer & Director
Jane Howard
Jane Howard is a New Orleans visual artist whose exuberant, large-scale work has delighted audiences for more than four decades. Best known for her vibrant tapestries, paintings, paper works, and immersive installations, her art has been exhibited in galleries, schools, community spaces, and cultural venues throughout New Orleans and beyond, including years as a featured artist at the Nantucket Wine Festival, exhibitions at Detroit's Cliff Bell's, and a long association with Café Brasil in New Orleans.
Howard's creativity extends far beyond the gallery. She has designed theatrical sets and backdrops, created public and community art, and spent a lifetime finding beauty, humor, and connection in everyday life. While raising five children, she balanced her artistic career with a series of entrepreneurial ventures—including operating a beloved neighborhood bike rental business that ultimately inspired her first feature film, Blessed.
From the Film
A glimpse into the world of Jaybird's Bike Rental.
Still — coming soon
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Press Kit
Everything you need to cover Blessed.
Downloadable Assets
Press Release
PDF • Coming soon
Movie Poster
High-res • Coming soon
One-pager
In progress • Coming soon
Get in Touch
For press inquiries, distribution opportunities, or general questions about the film.
press@blessedthemovie.comAudience Praise
“The escape into Jane Howard's joyful, unconventional world in New Orleans was so full of laughs and heart. What surprised me most was that it's 99% true! I'll leave it to future audiences to figure out the hilarious tongue-in-cheek 1% fiction.”
— Rose Morand, Detroit Premiere
“Blessed is a completely delightful journey into the world of J-Bird, a beloved neighborhood fixture who, along with her best friend Linda, reveals the authentic warmth and spirit of the New Orleans community and its flamboyant characters. Unfolding in a tapestry of vignettes, capers and stories, it is a truly original work that is at moments lyrical, endearing, and laugh-out-loud funny.”
— Doug Green, New Orleans Premiere
“I came to the movie having had no idea what it was about. I vaguely thought it was about a bike race. There is no way to prepare yourself for the surprise and delight of Blessed. All I can say is "Come along for the ride."”
— Matt Danaher, New Orleans Premiere
“A love letter to New Orleans that left me laughing, smiling, and wanting to ride a bad-ass lighted bike through the streets of a city.”
— Friend of Grace, Detroit Premiere