Production
Zichen Zhao
Known for
Production
Credits
4 titles
Zichen Zhao was born and raised in Kalgan, China. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Screenwriting from Beijing Film Academy and an MFA in Film from Columbia University in New York. The short films he directed and produced have been selected for prestigious film festivals, including Vancouver IFF, Palm Springs ShortFest, HollyShorts, San Diego Asian FF, FIRST IFF, Cleveland IFF, among others. His work focuses on the margins of contemporary life, critically examining gender, historical experience, and collective memory while exploring a distinctive and expressive cinematic language.
Known for
NRIn the borderlands of farming and herding in northern China, a Mongolian horse awaits the fate of castration, while a 10-year-old boy, determined to protect it, must confront violence and cruelty beyond his understanding.
The Kalgan Horse
2026
NRFemale actress Sun Guo finagles her way into an audition for the male role of the Monkey King and, unexpectedly, is given the part by the female director. Through a process of sacrifice and reinvention, Sun Guo sinks deeper and deeper into the role and what it represents.
The Monkey King Is a Girl
2024
Behind the camera
NRIn the borderlands of farming and herding in northern China, a Mongolian horse awaits the fate of castration, while a 10-year-old boy, determined to protect it, must confront violence and cruelty beyond his understanding.
The Kalgan Horse
2026
NRIn the borderlands of farming and herding in northern China, a Mongolian horse awaits the fate of castration, while a 10-year-old boy, determined to protect it, must confront violence and cruelty beyond his understanding.
The Kalgan Horse
2026
NRIn the borderlands of farming and herding in northern China, a Mongolian horse awaits the fate of castration, while a 10-year-old boy, determined to protect it, must confront violence and cruelty beyond his understanding.
The Kalgan Horse
2026
NRFemale actress Sun Guo finagles her way into an audition for the male role of the Monkey King and, unexpectedly, is given the part by the female director. Through a process of sacrifice and reinvention, Sun Guo sinks deeper and deeper into the role and what it represents.
The Monkey King Is a Girl
2024