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

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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