Born in Paris, the son of an entrepreneur, Jacob studied at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, having Claude Chabrol as a schoolmate.

[1][2] At 17 years old he co-founded a short-lived cinema magazine, Raccords.

[1] He then collaborated as a film critic and journalist with several publications, including Cinéma [fr], Les Nouvelles littéraires and L'Express.

[3] Among his initiatives, were the foundation of the Un Certain Regard selection, the Caméra d'Or award, and the Cinéfondation.

[4] He served as a juror at the 47th Venice International Film Festival.