Tasha Van Zandt is an award-winning film director, cinematographer, photographer, and Emmy-nominated producer, whose work spans all seven continents. Her latest feature documentary, A LIFE ILLUMINATED, follows pioneering marine biologist Dr. Edith Widder on a groundbreaking deep-sea expedition into the darkest depths of the ocean in search of bioluminescent life, and premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Van Zandt’s acclaimed feature AFTER ANTARCTICA chronicles the extraordinary journey of the longest crossing of Antarctica in history through the eyes of legendary polar explorer Will Steger.
Through her collaborations with renowned artist JR, Van Zandt has directed numerous films documenting his projects around the world, including ONE THOUSAND STORIES, TIME Magazine’s THE GUN CHRONICLES, and the documentary short TEHACHAPI. Her work as a cinematographer includes films such as PAPER & GLUE and ART FOR EVERYBODY. From descending 3,300 feet beneath the ocean’s surface to filming across both poles, Van Zandt is dedicated to illuminating unseen worlds and expanding how we understand our planet. Her work has been exhibited in museums worldwide and supported by organizations including the Sundance Institute, Film Independent, The Redford Center, Catapult and SFFILM. She is a DOC NYC 40 Under 40 and 2026 Eames Institute Curious 100 honoree.
Through her production company, Earthling Pictures, she creates cinematic, impact-driven films that inspire audiences to see the world anew.