The Settler

Zara Mirzaei is of Persian (Iranian) descent, born in the United Kingdom, and raised in New York, USA. She developed a passion for art and cinema from an early age. Fluent in both Farsi (Persian) and American English, she has pursued formal training in acting and directing and has been actively involved in the film industry for many years. She continues to refine her craft through advanced filmmaking studies.
In her work, Zara often explores the struggle of individuals navigating established systems, with a strong focus on conscience, justice, humanity, and personal freedom. Her storytelling is character driven and grounded in social and moral complexity.

The Settler is the first short film she wrote and directed. Shot in the United States, the film explores themes of immigration, social barriers, perseverance, faith, and hope. It is presented in both English and Spanish.

The Fault is her second written and directed short film, filmed in Tehran, Iran. The film examines misjudgment, social challenges, moral dilemmas, and courage, and is presented in Farsi.

Her third short film is currently in production. Continuing her exploration of socially driven narratives, the project further examines human resilience and ethical conflict, reflecting her ongoing commitment to telling stories that challenge audiences while remaining deeply personal and human.