Juli Zhu

Born in Xi’an, China and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Julie Zhu is a filmmaker and storyteller committed to championing marginalised voices and stories.

She has created both scripted and documentary content for a range of platforms including Whakaata Māori, The Spinoff, TVNZ OnDemand, and RNZ. Julie co-directs and co-hosts the podcast and docu-series Conversations With My Immigrant Parents for RNZ, directed the observational documentary series Takeout Kids for The Spinoff, and was one of the directors on anthology feature film Kāinga.

What does leadership look like to you?

Julie: Leadership to me is about empathy, service, equity, fighting for a space where everyone is heard and respected and valued, and trying to see the best in others. I think we are taught from a young age this very narrow-minded view of leadership, that’s focused on hierarchy and individuals, but the leadership I am inspired by most is leadership that comes from the grassroots and community.

How does your community show up in your practice?

Julie: I think I’ve been really fortunate to have moved in and around multiple intersecting communities over the last few years. Making work for community has always been the goal, to share stories, voices, challenges for and about our communities. The kind of art I’m interested in has community at its heart and core.