Dr. Zaira Zarza

Biography

Zaira Zarza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art History, Cinema and Media Studies at Université de Montréal. Her research focuses on the production, distribution, and presentation of cinema and media arts in developing countries, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. She examines the contemporary creative industries, cultural policies, and funding mechanisms that shape the relationships between film institutions and filmmakers. Zarza investigates the film production of marginalized communities, including ethnic, diasporic, racial minorities, and women, as well as the new digital platforms for audiovisual circulation and public engagement. As a festival programmer for events such as TIFF, FICCI, and LASA, she combines her industry experiences with academic research to critique the intellectual, economic, and social management of cultural events. Zarza holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from Queen's University, Canada, and has published work in various academic forums, contributing to the understanding of contemporary cinema and cultural studies. Her projects include research on identity, media crises, and the archiving of Latinx Canadian cinema.

Research Interests