I am award winning director who sets out to make films that are warm, engaging and stylish. I don’t like to do what’s expected. I’m happiest when I am chipping away at conventions. I have been working in the industry since I was making tea for the likes of Suede and Nick Cave at Maida Vale recording studios as a researcher at BBC Radio 5’s late night music shows. Music and the Arts are two of my passions, but equally I’m fascinated by people, everyday people, especially the ones with extraordinary tales to tell.
Many years have passed since I first started out. For four glorious years I directed Wise Up, an anarchic reportage show authored by kids for Channel Four. Directing Wise Up won me my extremely heavy and much coveted Bafta.
I have directed documentaries with some of the world’s leading artists in the fields of art, music and dance. Most recently, I produced a major international series on the nature of dance fronted by acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan and featuring dancers and choreographers from across the globe: including New York City ballet, The Royal Ballet associate director Wayne McGregor, Dutch National Opera Ballet and Russian ballet master Alexei Ratmansky. Exploring what moves us to move traveling the world we went in search of some of the most creative and emotionally engaging dance that the human race has to offer.
I’ve also had the pleasure of hanging out with Duran Duran. I directed and produced two 60 minute films with the band, broadcast on BBC Four on a Boys on Film Takeover night.
I have directed a film on the ‘wrapping’ artist, Christo. Famous for enveloping the Reichstag in Berlin with 100 m2 of silver fabric. In the Summer of 2018 Christo created his first major work for the UK, the floating Mastaba in Hyde Park. A floating superstructure of 7506 oil barrels. A cast of friends, fellow artists and collectors lent their voices to the documentary, including performance artist Marina Abramovic, former New York Major, Michael Bloomberg and architect Sir Norman Foster.
I have just completed my directorial scripted debut on film. The Cunning Man is an enchanted tale about a real life Cunning man. The film was sponsored by Directors UK and was Winner of Challenge Alexa competition. The film has had an official selection at over 30 festivals worldwide. I won Best Director at the New Renaissance Film Festival, Best Director at Detroit Shetown Festival and Best Film at Exit 6.
I am a rarity in the industry. There is a chronic lack of female directors, 75% of TV directors are male and I’m proud to do my bit to challenge those stats.
Testimonies
“The practicalities of the shoot were extremely complex, but harder still was editing and writing each film to have its own distinctive style and feel that reflects the artist and his/her work, not only did Zoe pull it off with aplomb, but she managed the edit and the team with great skill and, more importantly, great calm.” David Notman-Watt, MD Back2back on Lily Cole Art Matters
You’ve really captured the essence of your subject, told each story in an accessible way and got a great performance out of Lily. I’ve been particularly impressed with the way you’ve written the narration and structured your material.” Siobhan Mullholland Sky Arts commissioning editor.
