Portrait of Zander Cooper
About

Award-winning work centered on queer storytelling.

Zander Cooper is a filmmaker and producer from Utah, currently a USC Production MFA candidate. The youngest member of his USC MFA cohort and an Annenberg Fellow, Zander creates award-winning work centered on queer storytelling.

A Weber State University graduate (summa cum laude), he founded the school’s first film organization and launched an international film festival.

Zander previously ran an independent production company and worked with the Davis Catalyst Center, an innovative, equity-driven hub for career and technical education, where he mentored students in advanced production. He was later promoted to Digital Video Specialist for Davis School District, traveling across the district to interview CTE teachers and building video campaigns that widen awareness of Career and Technical Education programs.

20+Projects made
8Years making films
200+Students mentored
On set

Behind the scenes

The slate for I’ll Be Seeing You, lit blue under a single light on the dance set
Directing actors on a diner set, script tablet in hand
Calling direction on a sunny street location
Shooting on a stadium field at night
Lying on the checkered diner floor beside an actor to line up a shot
Directing two actors beside a ghost light on a darkened stage
Lining up a shot on a diner set
Smiling under a black umbrella between takes on location
Crew reviewing a take in a diner booth
Operating a camera in a darkened theater
Focused on a shot under purple light
Cast and crew setting up in a bar
Recognition

Awards

  • Zander Cooper at the Focus on the Future Film Festival, in front of the Utah Film Commission backdrop
    Groundhog Day Best Music Video in the State Focus on the Future Film Festival, hosted by the Utah Film Commission · 2024
  • Davis Catalyst Center Bronze Telly Award Education category · 2024. A documentary piece made with the Davis Catalyst Center, following a Black high school student as she presents her painting on the harm of racist name-calling to a faculty meeting
Selected clients & partners
The Ziegfeld TheaterDavis School DistrictDavis Catalyst Center