60 Kilograms

Yiruo Martina Zhang, a native of Kunming, China, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McGill University, graduating with distinction. Currently pursuing an MFA in Film, Television, and Digital Media at Hong Kong Baptist University, she is a versatile filmmaker based between Kunming and Hong Kong.

As a screenwriter, director, and producer, Martina's creative portfolio encompasses a range of film genres, including shorts, stage dramas, and documentaries. Notable highlights include her documentary short "60 Kilograms," invited to screen at the Non-fiction Film Fortnight in 2023 under the mentorship of director Liang Ying.

Her dynamic leadership shone through when she led the crew of "Writing in Water," a Mandarin play by Stan Lai. She oversaw casting, rehearsals, makeup, and promotional video production while skillfully managing administrative affairs. Facing the unexpected cancellation of the performance due to the Covid pandemic, Martina's ability to adapt and innovate was evident. She organized a multi-camera shoot within two days and took charge of post-production, completing editing and color grading for the 1.5-hour film independently. Her negotiations with the copyright owner transformed the performance into a successful online screening, with over 100 e-tickets sold and high praise from the audience.