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.