
Hao Zhou is a filmmaker from southwest China. Zhou’s films often center on characters seeking joy despite structural oppression and have been screened at the Berlinale, Hong Kong, Sarajevo, Frameline, BFI Flare and other international festivals.
Zhou’s first feature film, "The Night," premiered at the 64th Berlinale and won the Critics’ Prize at Black Movie (Geneva, Switzerland). In 2021, Zhou’s short film "Frozen Out" won a Gold Medal at the 48th Student Academy Awards and was selected by the British Council's Five Films For Freedom, a global LGBTQ+ rights campaign.
An alum of Cannes' Résidence, Berlinale Talents, and Talents Tokyo, Zhou has make work with support from Firelight Media, the Iowa Arts Council, Talents Tokyo/TOKYO FILMeX, Art With Impact, and the University Film & Video Association among other organizations.
Education
2022 — Master of Arts from University of Iowa
2022 — Master of Fine Arts from University of Iowa