I’m Ary Zara, a transgender filmmaker, writer, and cultural programmer who strives to create work that challenges norms and invites inclusive participation across art forms. I’m known for my work as a screenwriter and film director, and I’ve built a practice as an LGBTQI+ consultant, playwright, performer, and cultural programmer. I studied film at Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon and at the University of Texas in Austin, and I’ve built a career that blends cinema, theatre, and education to elevate underrepresented voices. My practice spans cinema, theatre, and education, with a debut short film that gained festival recognition and an Oscar shortlist. I founded Queer Art Lab to empower emerging LGBTQIA+ artists, and I collaborate across continents with festivals, schools, and cultural institutions to nurture diverse voices and new storytelling approaches.

Ary Zara

I’m Ary Zara, a transgender filmmaker, writer, and cultural programmer who strives to create work that challenges norms and invites inclusive participation across art forms. I’m known for my work as a screenwriter and film director, and I’ve built a practice as an LGBTQI+ consultant, playwright, performer, and cultural programmer. I studied film at Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon and at the University of Texas in Austin, and I’ve built a career that blends cinema, theatre, and education to elevate underrepresented voices. My practice spans cinema, theatre, and education, with a debut short film that gained festival recognition and an Oscar shortlist. I founded Queer Art Lab to empower emerging LGBTQIA+ artists, and I collaborate across continents with festivals, schools, and cultural institutions to nurture diverse voices and new storytelling approaches.

Available to hire

I’m Ary Zara, a transgender filmmaker, writer, and cultural programmer who strives to create work that challenges norms and invites inclusive participation across art forms. I’m known for my work as a screenwriter and film director, and I’ve built a practice as an LGBTQI+ consultant, playwright, performer, and cultural programmer. I studied film at Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon and at the University of Texas in Austin, and I’ve built a career that blends cinema, theatre, and education to elevate underrepresented voices.

My practice spans cinema, theatre, and education, with a debut short film that gained festival recognition and an Oscar shortlist. I founded Queer Art Lab to empower emerging LGBTQIA+ artists, and I collaborate across continents with festivals, schools, and cultural institutions to nurture diverse voices and new storytelling approaches.

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Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Co-Director at The Cow Girl, The Dancer and The Pig
January 1, 2025 - Present
Co-directed the short film with mentors; presented in Cannes side program and highlighted by the Cannes scene.
Director at An Avocado Pit (Short Film)
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Directed the debut short An Avocado Pit, which won multiple awards and was shortlisted for major accolades.
Director and writer at An Avocado Pit (short film)
January 1, 2022 - Present
Oscar shortlisted screened at over 90 festivals and won more than 20 awards including Clermont-Ferrand, IndieLisboa, AFI FEST, Guadalajara, and Outfest.
Creative Director at Queer Art Lab
October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2024
Leading on how to provide skills and means to underrepresented artists through different activities. Residencies, mentorships, markets, festivals.
Co-Creator / Performer at BRABA Collective
January 1, 2021 - Present
Co-created Atlas of the Mouth; performed and toured across multiple countries, with touring and festival presentations.
Screenwriter at Independent projects
January 1, 2021 - Present
Co-writer for projects including 'The Cow Girl, the Dancer, and the Pig' and 'Sun in Saturn'; engaged in development and pitching activities.
Consultant / Speaker at Various brands and institutions
January 1, 2019 - Present
Consultant and speaker on gender identity, DEI, LGBTQIA+ education; engaged with Microsoft, Ubisoft, RTP, ILGA, Opus Diversidades, and universities.
Video Director / Lead Animator at Filipe La Féria’s Musical Theatre Productions
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2019
Resident director and leader of 2D/3D animation projects for musical theatre productions, integrating visual storytelling with live performance.
Video Resident Director / Animation Lead at Filipe La Féria’s Musical Theatre Productions
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2019
Led 2D/3D animation projects and served as video resident director for multiple musical theatre productions (2014–2019).
Head of Audiovisual at Trumps, LDA
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2023
Head of Audiovisual for Trumps, LDA; directed and produced music videos and live performance videos.
Director at Romeo and Juliet, the Musical (academic short)
January 1, 2009 - Present
Directed the academic short; won the Lusophone University annual award; Zon Rpize 100K

Education

Film Studies at Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon
January 11, 2030 - January 9, 2026
Screenwriting at University of Texas at Austin
January 11, 2011 - June 26, 2011
Writing room - developing a feature
Writer's gym at London Film School
October 2, 2025 - January 26, 2026
Ellis Freeman
Film Studies at Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon
January 11, 2030 - January 26, 2026
Film Studies at University of Texas at Austin
January 11, 2030 - January 26, 2026

Qualifications

CNC Pitch Award
January 1, 2023 - January 9, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other