Tasha Van Zandt
Directing
Biography
Tasha Van Zandt is an award-winning director, cinematographer, explorer, Emmy-nominated producer who has documented stories across all seven continents. From diving to the deepest depths of the ocean to exploring the farthest ends of our polar regions, she is dedicated to sharing stories that illuminate our human connection to the natural world. Her award-winning feature-length documentary AFTER ANTARCTICA follows the journey of the longest crossing of Antarctica in history through the eyes of one of National Geographic’s greatest polar explorers, Will Steger. Her feature-length documentary film A LIFE ILLUMINATED, follows a pioneering marine biologist as she embarks on a never-before-seen journey into the mysterious depths of the ocean in search of light. Her upcoming film THE ARCTIC WOMEN portrays the groundbreaking journey of the first two women to overwinter in the Arctic of Svalbard, as they battle the odds to survive in total darkness. As a frequent collaborator of the renowned artist JR, she has directed the award-winning films such as ONE THOUSAND STORIES, GUNS IN AMERICA, THE CHRONICLES OF NEW YORK CITY, and THE CHRONICLES OF MIAMI, which follow JR’s journey throughout his Chronicles projects around the world. Together, JR and Tasha Van Zandt co-directed the award-winning documentary short film TEHACHAPI which explores the power of art within the walls of a Supermax federal prison. Her work as a cinematographer includes films such as WHAT'S NEXT? THE FUTURE WITH BILL GATES (Netflix 2024), TELL THEM YOU LOVE ME (Netflix 2024), ART FOR EVERYBODY (SXSW 2023), TEHACHAPI (Telluride 2023), WHITE HOT (Netflix 2022), and PAPER & GLUE (2021), among many others. In addition to her work behind the camera, Tasha is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and social justice. Through her films, she seeks to shine a light on the most pressing issues facing our planet and inspire positive change in the world. Her work has received numerous awards and has been supported by The Sundance Institute, Film Independent, SFFILM, Points North Institute, Sloan Foundation, Library of Congress, Explorers Club, National Geographic Expeditions, Mountainfilm, and The Eames Institute. Tasha is a 2019 Film Independent Documentary Lab Fellow, a 2019 Sundance Institute Music and Sound Design Lab Fellow, a 2019 SFFILM Sloan Stories Of Science Fellow, a 2020 Film Independent Fast Track Fellow, a 2020 Ken Burns Prize For Film finalist, a 2020 SFFILM FilmHouse Resident, a 2021 Mountainfilm Commitment Grant Recipient, a 2021 Sundance Sandbox Fund Recipient, the 2022 Woods Hole Filmmaker-In-Residence, a 2022 DOC NYC 40 Under 40 honoree, a 2024 Points North Pretty Wild Fellow, the 2024 inaugural Eames Institute Artist-In-Residence and is a 2024 SFFILM Creative Advisor.
Known For
An intimate exploration of Alanis Morissette and her groundbreaking 1995 album Jagged Little Pill.
Jagged
A documentary following JR's artwork giving a global voice to everyday people.
Paper & Glue
Thomas Kinkade’s pastoral landscapes made him the most collected and despised painter of all time. After his shocking death, his family discovers a vault of unseen paintings that reveal a complex artist whose life and work embody our divided America.
Art for Everybody
French visual artist-director JR situates his latest social-art intervention in a Southern Californian supermax prison, where he has imagined an enormously ambitious collaboration with the facility’s inmates.
Tehachapi
A journey into the extraordinary life and legacy of pioneering marine biologist Edie Widder.
A Life Illuminated
Currently and formerly incarcerated men at California’s supermax penitentiary in Tehachapi collaborate with renowned photographer and artist JR on a project to transform the prison yard into a powerful – but temporary – work of art.
Tehachapi
Whistleblowers leak stolen documents in a crusade to expose allegations of abuse and mind control within a global religious organization: the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Crusaders: Ex Jehovah's Witnesses Speak Out
In a dramatic attempt to bring attention to climate change, an international expedition led by renowned explorer Will Steger embarked on the first-ever coast-to-coast expedition across Antarctica in 1989. Six men and their sled dogs braved howling storms, sub-zero temperatures, snow crevasses, and other perils as they traversed the icy terrain. Tasha Van Zandt’s enthralling feature debut catches up with Steger 30 years later as he revisits the frigid continent, deftly weaving his contemporary journey with rare, dynamic footage of his original, treacherous seven-month odyssey.
After Antarctica
An intimate behind-the-scenes look at the creation of JR’s iconic San Francisco mural which showcases the unique atmosphere of trust and community of everyone who participated in this emblematic project.