First Bloom Films was founded in 2020 by actor/producer, Katherine Waddell, and writer/director, Em Johnson. Their company’s goal has always been, and always will be, to secure opportunities for women in the industry, be it on the screen or behind the camera.
Our Team
Katherine Waddell - Co-Founder, Actor, Producer
Katherine Waddell is a multi-talented actor and producer. She is most known for her work as an actor and co-executive producer on acclaimed indie feature Dinner in America, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival. In 2022, Katherine starred and produced Balloon Animal, for which she performs as lead character Poppy in this coming-of-age film featuring a girl who makes balloon animals at a traveling circus, which was shot entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also notably executive produced Tribeca Film Festival 2021 selection, IFC’s We Need to Do Something, a horror feature starring Vinessa Shaw. As of late, she starred alongside Gina Gershon and Ethan Slater in The Designer, a female-focused thriller/horror which is currently in its final post production stages and being represented by WME as it heads into the festival market. Currently, Katherine resides in Los Angeles, where she is in development on four new projects under First Bloom Films.
Em Johnson - Co-Founder, Writer, Director
Em Johnson is an award-winning writer and director. Her focus tends to study the female condition and the all-encompassing struggles of humanity in its most natural form. Her achievements and unique visual style have given her the fortune of working internationally, most notably getting recognized by the Student BAFTA’s, Tel Aviv, the Princess Grace Foundation, and the Student Academy Awards for her short, narrative Aberne. Her second feature, Balloon Animal, was accepted to over 25 film festivals, globally, snagging a multitude of awards, and was finally picked up for distribution by Buffalo8 in 2023. It can be found on Amazon, Tubi, and Freevee. Her third feature, The Designer, starring Gina Gershon, Ethan Slater, Katherine Waddell, and Jesse James Keitel is currently represented by WME and is being shopped around. Under her company, First Bloom Films, she has many more projects in the making and is hoping to step into the commercial industry in the future.