Biography

Named one of Diversity in Cannes' Top 10 Filmmakers of the Decade, Zanah Thirus is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary storyteller whose work challenges dominant narratives and centers underrepresented experiences.

Her films have earned widespread recognition, premiering at three Academy Award qualifying festivals: Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, BronzeLens Film Festival, and St. Louis International Film Festival. She has also received accolades from festivals in France, Nigeria, Toronto, and across the United States. Her documentaries are part of over 30 academic library collections, including Harvard University, and have been screened at events such as the American Public Health Association's national conference.

Her work often sparks bold conversations around themes such as misogyny within Christianity, sexual trauma recovery, reproductive freedom, the orgasm gap, and Black feminist theory. Zanah remains committed to creating narratives that provoke thought, deepen empathy, and drive cultural dialogue.

She has expanded her storytelling practice across multiple mediums, including photography, blogging, and most recently, audio. She wrote and directed a seven-episode fiction podcast exploring romantic connection, pleasure, and identity on the asexual spectrum. Across every format, her work is rooted in cultural inquiry, emotional nuance, and a refusal to shy away from what most people won't touch.
- IMDb mini biography by: Zanah Thirus