About
Raised on a diet of comic books and niche cult films, the route into filmmaking was, in hindsight, an obvious one for Zak. Throughout his work, there is a strong emphasis on communication, time management, and fostering a healthy, collaborative working environment. Over the past few years, Zak has worked across the full spectrum of production, with each project presenting new challenges and opportunities to grow.
Zak has told stories all around the world, working with leading brands and meeting inspiring collaborators along the way and has even managed to pick up a few accolades in the process.
Zak’s short films have received numerous festival selections since his debut short Bubbles won Best British Short Film at the LA Film Festival in 2017. This success was followed by selections at The British Short Film Awards, Norwich Film Festival, and Manchester Film Festival, among others. Zak was also a finalist for Best British Director at The British Short Film Awards. Most recently, his comedy short First One Away was nominated for BAFTA’s Student Awards.
His BFI backed short Reflections was selected for Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2024, British Short Film Awards, and Bolton Film Festival, while also winning awards at London Independent Screenwriting and Film Festival and Falling Tree Festival, and picking up Best North East Film at NEIFF. Returning to comedy with The Morning After, the film is currently enjoying a successful festival run, securing wins at Portland Comedy Festival and Greenwich Film Festival, alongside nominations at Bolton Film Festival and Hollywood Comedy Festival.
In early 2025, Zak was awarded the Auteur Award at The British Short Film Awards for The Time Machine. The award recognises filmmakers with a distinctive creative voice and a strong authorial vision across writing, directing, and execution, marking a significant milestone in Zak’s development as a storyteller with a clearly defined cinematic identity.
Most recently, Zak directed the short film Doppelgänger, which was created as part of the BBC Writers Long Story Short scheme, a curated showcase celebrating emerging writer directors and original short form storytelling. The film will be available on BBC iPlayer from early 2026.
Despite all of this, to this day Zak’s mum still calls him a “camera man”.
News & Press
Reflections wins at LISP
The short film Reflections has been honored with the Finalist Award at London International Screenwriting & Film Festival. Zak Harney was featured on a Q&A at the festival, with cinematographer Ciaran O’Brien and composer Quentin Lachapele. Despite nearing the end of its festival run, Reflections continues to garner attention for its touching and heartbreaking story.
Lemonade Presents…
Lemonade Reps kicked off 2025 with an evening jam-packed with beautifully crafted short films, live music and a dynamic evening celebrating creativity, community, and collaboration. The evening unfolded in the studio’s 120-seater cinema, for the screening of three thought-provoking short films from FORM directors Zak Harney, Adam De Silva, and Ben Lankester.
The Directors: Zak Harney
Article from LBB online about Zak’s career so far, highlighting his journey, creative influences, and storytelling approach in filmmaking. It explores his work, inspirations, and distinctive visual style, showcasing his passion for crafting compelling narratives. Released as part of the announcement of Zak joining FORM London’s director’s roster.
First One Away: Review
The article "First One Away" on UK Film Review discusses a short film that delves into the emotional journey of a young woman leaving her hometown to pursue new opportunities. The review highlights the film's exploration of themes such as personal growth, the challenges of stepping into the unknown, and the bittersweet nature of farewells. It praises the film's storytelling, character development, and cinematography, noting how these elements effectively convey the protagonist's internal struggles and aspirations.
‘Auteur Award’ at The British Short Film Awards
After being nominated for ‘Best Cinematography’ and ‘Best Editing’ at the awards, Zak and The Time Machine team were surprised to find out they had scooped a secret judges prize; ‘The Auteurs Award’ at BSFA! Noting the ‘striking underwater sequences’ as reason for it’s recognition, this marks The Time Machine’s first official selection and win.
Interview with Zak Harney
This article discusses director Zak Harney’s transition from assistant directing to directing in 2017, beginning with online content and music videos before moving into short films. It highlights his debut short film, Bubbles, which won 'Best Foreign Short' at the LA Short Film Festival and was selected for the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival in 2018. The interview also explores his early exposure to films, his passion for storytelling, and his perspective on film school as a place for experimentation versus gaining industry experience directly.
