Private Project

ZOO

A misunderstanding between three juveniles and a troubled man escalates to a point of no return.

  • Will Niava
    Director
  • Will Niava
    Writer
    PARADISE
  • Will Niava
    Producer
  • Simran Dewan
    Director of Photography
  • Amos Nzamba
    Key Cast
    "Amos"
  • Brendan Sheehan
    Key Cast
    "Slim"
  • Ian Cloutier
    Key Cast
    "Alec (Off Duty Cop)"
  • Ian Contreras
    Key Cast
    "Santos"
  • Cat Dio
    Key Cast
    "Ex Wife"
  • Will Niava
    Editor
    FILTRATE
  • Adam Hodgins
    Executive Producer
  • Alleck Doxer
    Executive Producer
  • Anthony Galatti
    Executive Producer
  • Aletha Persaud
    Production Assistant
  • Ben Soussan
    Production Assistant
  • Aletha Persaud
    Costume Manager
  • Angela Díaz
    Production Manager
  • Angela Díaz
    Director's Assistant
  • Benoit Gauthier
    Steadicam Operator
  • Charles-Antoine Auger
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Clara Gagnon
    Best Boy Grip
  • Brent Radford
    On‐Set Props
  • Dominic Caterina
    Sound Mixer
  • Zachary Scholes
    Sound Mixer
  • Dominic Caterina
    Boom Operator
  • Harley Francis
    Gaffer
  • Mary Jane Khalife
    Make up Artist
  • Maxime Forget
    Key Rigging Grip
  • Swen Bjorkson Dan Hotieng
    Behind The Scenes Photographer
  • Martin Gaumont
    Colorist
  • Will Niava
    Casting
  • Amir Zargara
    Festival Producer
    Be your own Kind
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    ZOO
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 10, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    13,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English, French
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital (RED 8k Monstro)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.40:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • CLERMONT FERRAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    CLERMONT FERRAND
    France
    February 5, 2020
    WORLD PREMIERE
    NEW QUEBEC SHORTS
  • REGARD
    SAGUENAY
    Canada
    March 14, 2020
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Will Niava

Will Niava is an Ivorian-Ghanaian film director based in Montreal, Canada. After his education in Film Production at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, Will directed and edited various projects around the world, from shorts to music videos.

Will is preparing his first feature film experience, co-writing alongside Oscar-nominated director Jérémy Comte.

Will's passion for storytelling as well as his background in stage acting have paved his journey through the world of cinema.

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Director Statement

This film was inspired by real events taken from my experience with the police as well as the producer’s and many other individuals in Montreal. My wish is that by the end of the film, people feel something close to what we feel like whenever we get stopped by the police. Police Violence is very much a thing in Canada but it is specifically silenced in places like Quebec. This is my way of shining light to this matter.

I’ve learned so much from working with these amazing non-actors whom for three of them was their first time acting. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to make another film with everything that i’ve learned. Until then, enjoy ZOO!