Hua Hannah Zhong (they/she) is a New York-based writer-director, actor, and content creator from Shanghai. They recently completed an MFA in Film Directing at Columbia University. Their multidisciplinary practice spans filmmaking, performance, visual storytelling, fashion, and costume, shaped by experience across independent film, commercial production, and media.

Before studying at Columbia, Hannah earned their BFA in Visual Media Arts from Emerson College. Their creative practice spans directing, screenwriting, acting, and costume design, shaped by years of working across independent film, commercial production, fashion, and media. They previously worked in development and production in Los Angeles and have collaborated on projects ranging from narrative filmmaking to brand storytelling, experiences that continue to inform their multidisciplinary approach to cinema.

As an actor, Hannah has appeared in award-winning independent films that have screened internationally, including Jet Lag in Summer, 200 Cigarettes from Now, and Seasons. Their work has been presented at festivals including International Film Festival Rotterdam, New York Asian Film Festival, Udine Far East Film Festival, and Pingyao International Film Festival.

Whether behind or in front of the camera, Hannah is interested in stories that feel deeply human. They believe filmmaking is less about creating something new than about paying close attention to the world, discovering meaning within everyday life, and transforming lived experience into cinema.