“I want my stories to paint a picture of what the world could be.”
- Zanah Thirus
Named one of Diversity in Cannes' Top 10 Filmmakers of the Decade, Zanah is a storyteller and creative strategist based in Chicago, IL.
She’s passionate about using art and storytelling as a medium to bring necessary and taboo topics front and center. She writes and directs stories that tackle bold subjects like misogyny within the christian faith, sexual trauma recovery, the orgasm gap, and black feminist theory.
Her film portfolio boasts numerous accolades from notable film festivals across France, Nigeria, Toronto, and the United States, including short film premieres at three Academy Award qualifying festivals: Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, Bronze Lens Film Festival, and St. Louis International Film Festival.
Her documentary films have been licensed by over 30 academic libraries, including prestigious institutions like Harvard University, and have screened with various organizations, such as the American Public Health Association's national conference.
In 2024, Zanah directed her first feature narrative film titled "The OG Bootcamp", starring Giovonnie Samuels (known for "Bring It On: All Or Nothing", "All That", and HBO’s "Quiet on Set"). This comedic yet thought-provoking film delves into sexual inequality, exploring the disparities in orgasms between heterosexual men and women.
Driven by a passion for storytelling and strategic thinking, Zanah continues to use her craft to shape narratives that resonate and drive meaningful change in the world.