About

Zak’s short films have picked up numerous selections since his first short ‘Bubbles’ won ‘Best British Short Film’ at LA Film Festival in 2017. Selections at The British Short Film Awards, Norwich Film Festival and Manchester Film Festival to name a few. Zak was a finalist for ‘Best British Director’ at The British Short Film Awards Most recently, comedy short ‘First One Away’ was nominated at BAFTA’s Student Awards. Zak’s short ‘Reflections’ is currently doing the festival circuit, already selected for the Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2024, British Short Films Awards, Bolton Film Festival and winning ‘Best North East Film’ at NEIFF.

Despite all of this, to this day Zak’s mum still calls him a ‘camera man’.

Raised on a diet of comic-books and niche cult films, in hindsight the route to filmmaking was an obvious one for Zak. Throughout Zak’s work, there is an hones on communication, time management and leading a healthy working environment. The past years had afforded Zak the opportunity to work across the spectrum of productions, with each adding a new challenge and experience.

Zak has told stories all around the world, working with some amazing brands and meeting some inspiring individuals on route and even managed to pick up a couple of accolades on the way.

News & Press

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.

‘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.

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.

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.