ABOUT US

Jeva Films is a film and television production company, launched in 2008 by Cassandra Sigsgaard. With a passion for original stories by visionary filmmakers who challenge boundaries and preconceptions, we have produced a diverse range of films, in collaboration with established and emerging talent. 

Cassandra Sigsgaard - Founder / Producer

Cassandra launched Jeva Films after completing her Masters in Feature Film from Goldsmiths in London. The first feature under the banner was the award-winning debut from the Blaine brothers, NINA FOREVER, which premiered at SXSW and was distributed by Studiocanal in the UK and by Epic Pictures in the US. The film won the Best Newcomer BIFA award for its star, Abigail Hardingham, as well as numerous jury and audience awards across the world. Other features include Alice Troughton’s THE LESSON, starring Richard E. Grant, Julie Delpy and Daryl McCormack, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival before being released by Bleecker Street in the US and Universal in the UK and internationally; followed hot on the heels by Joy Wilkinson’s feature debut, the thriller 7 KEYS. The film had its world premiere at SXSW in 2024 and is currently on the festival circuit. The film is being sold by Dept. H.

Other producing work include acclaimed feature documentary, INDIA IN A DAY (dir. Richie Mehta), executive produced by Ridley Scott, and the feature documentary ON OUR DOORSTEP (dir. Tom Laurance).

Cassandra is former Chair of Women in Film and Television, a voting member of BAFTA, and a member of the Film Policy Group for PACT.

ben coren - head of development

Ben is a seasoned film and television executive with over a decade in development and production. He joined Jeva Films as Head of Development in 2025, having most recently worked on the scripted slate at acclaimed documentary company Misfits from 2024 to 2025.

Prior to that, Ben spent 11 years at Film4, serving as Head of Development from 2019 to 2024, overseeing a diverse slate of projects. During his tenure, he Executive Produced titles including EARTH MAMA (Savannah Leaf), ENYS MEN and ROSE OF NEVADA (Mark Jenkin), SISTER MIDNIGHT (Karan Kandhari), HOW TO HAVE SEX (Molly Manning Walker), and THE THING WITH FEATHERS (Dylan Southern). He also contributed to the development of THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI and THE FATHER, and spearheaded a new documentary strand in partnership with Channel 4 Factual, leading to films such as THE SHADOW SCHOLARS and THE SECRET OF ME.

Earlier in his career, Ben worked freelance across production and development roles on projects including TOP BOY and THE RIOT CLUB, having begun his career at Portobello Pictures, where he was involved in developing IDA and THE FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD, and contributed to West End theatre productions and the launch of The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.

Louise Palmkvist Hansen - Head of Production

Louise is a BAFTA nominated Danish/East Asian producer and executive based in London, and joined Jeva Films in early 2024 as Head of Production. Prior to that, she was a producer for EMU Films, where she produced Tom Hardiman’s BFI and BBC Film backed debut feature, MEDUSA DELUXE, together with Mike Elliott and Lee Groombridge. The film premiered at Locarno 2022, was in competition at BFI London Film Festival for Best First Feature, and nominated for two BIFAs. The film was distributed by Mubi in the UK and A24 in the US. Other credits include producing the 2023 BAFTA-nominated short film BUS GIRL by Jessica Henwick, and the feature films 90 MINUTES by Simon Baker (exec’d by Rio Ferdinand and distributed by Kaleidoscope), and SWANSONG by Douglas Ray starring Eva Birthwistle (Nominated for Irish Film and Television Awards). 

She started her career at Lars von Trier’s Zentropa Productions, where she assisted on a variety of feature films and worked with some of Denmark’s most recognised producers and directors. 

As well as heading up production at Jeva Films, Louise continues to develop a diverse range of projects with an emphasis on underrepresented voices, both on and off-screen.

MARTIN HEBERDEN - MANAGING DIRECTOR

Martin’s background is in marketing communications, working across new business generation and with brands and commercial film making throughout his career, making multiple award-winning UK and international TV commercials, plus international brand and corporate communication programmes before moving completely into feature film production fourteen years ago. He has worked with NMG Product Placement, based at Pinewood Studios, before moving to Jeva Films ten years ago. Martin oversees the Jeva clearances business and provides consultancy advice regarding the marketing and business strategy for Jeva Films. He was an executive producer on the feature film THE LESSON.

Martin is born and raised in Zimbabwe - proudly both African and British.

Johanna von Salmuth - Production Executive

Johanna joined Jeva Films in 2022 and has been working across multiple productions within the company to assist the producers on upcoming projects to find their way to the screen.

She started her career in Berlin, Germany, as a 2nd AD on the feature film THE AUDITION, directed by Ina Weiss, as well as several other films working as an Assistant Director.  It was at this time that she began to produce short films, such as the award-winning THE GIG, and Johanna’s own directorial debut, the award-winning TO MY DYING MOTHER. 

Johanna recently produced the Nuesch sisters’ award-winning short film for Jeva Films, MARRIAGE UNPLUGGED, starring Nikki Amuka-Bird, Nicholas Gleaves and Sven Ironside. The film won the Jury Award at the Leeds International Film Festival in the Fanomenon category in 2024. 

Johanna trained as a dancer, and continues to choreograph on short films and other visual projects.