About..

Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Zaha relocated to New York, where her diverse cultural background and life experiences continue to shape her artistic vision.

Always drawn to storytelling, she studied journalism and social studies before transitioning into filmmaking. Deeply influenced by visual arts and literature, Zaha incorporates their poetic sensibilities into her work, crafting narratives rich in emotion and introspection.

Her films often explore themes of identity, transformation, and displacement, reflecting her own immigrant experience in New York. 

Zaha’s short film MARIE, MY FIRST was selected for the New York Shorts International Film Festival, Blow-Up Arthouse Film Fest, and NewFilmmakers NY. Her latest short film, KORE, is a modern reimagining of the Persephone myth that explores themes of autonomy, desire and the tension between duty and freedom through the perspective of a young Chilean immigrant woman in New York. The project was also recognized as a finalist for the PANO MicroGrants - 2025.

Her still-life photography was featured by Fotografiska New York and Fotografiska Stolkholm as part of Stop Motion Series. 

Zaha graduated with an MFA in Cinema Arts from the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema in 2025.