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Zero Chou, originally from Keelung, Taiwan, holds a degree in Philosophy from National Chengchi University and has developed a multifaceted career ranging from journalism to audiovisual directing. Since the mid-1990s, she has explored in her short films themes that would later become the core of her most emblematic works: identity, love, social justice and queer rights.
Her films are distinguished by their ability to break moulds and genres, combining realistic and intimate stories with historical dramas, thrillers and melodramas, always with a vibrant and carefully crafted aesthetic. Chou’s work is not only visually striking, but also deeply committed to the representation of queer experiences, especially in an context where these issues still face resistance and conservative attitudes.
Her Tongzhi trilogy – consisting of Splendid Float (2004), which won Best Taiwanese Film at the Golden Horse, Spider Lilies (2007), which won the Teddy Award in Berlin, and Drifting Flowers (2008), Lesbianism and Gender Award in Zinegoak 2009 – has been instrumental in bringing LGTBIQ+ stories to the forefront in Asia. These films address a range of issues from love relationships and identities to social struggles, creating a space of representation and empathy that transcends borders. All of them will be part of the cycle dedicated to the director and will be shown in Bilbao.
Chou has also worked in television, in series such as Gloomy Salad Days and Because of You; and in international projects such as Project Rainbow in Six Asian Cities, where she continues to bring queer experiences to a global audience. Her artistic vision combines the exploration of dreams and reality, creating magical and sometimes illusory spaces that reflect both the beauty and fatality of the lives she portrays.
Beyond her work, Zero Chou has been and is a courageous voice in the fight for equality and LGTBIQ+ rights within the traditionally conservative film and television industry. She herself has stated that her goal is that, in the future, the LGTBIQ+ label will no longer be necessary, because equality and social justice should be universal.
Her work has not only enriched Taiwanese cinema, but has also inspired generations of filmmakers and activists around the world. The strength of her narrative, her social commitment and her formal innovation make Zero Chou a key figure in understanding contemporary cinema and the struggle for human rights.
Zinegoak is honoured to present our 2025 Honorary Award to Zero Chou, one of the most influential and committed filmmakers in contemporary Taiwanese cinema, in recognition of her courage, talent and tireless dedication to creating films that challenge boundaries, break stereotypes and promote a more just and inclusive world. Her work is an example of how art can be a powerful tool for social transformation and a mirror of our deepest aspirations.
