Emily Zhang is an award-winning Toronto-based director of photography / cinematographer whose work diversely spans across scripted feature films, television series and short-format narrative productions. She is recognized for crafting emotionally-intimate imagery that explores themes of identity, connection, resilience and belonging. Her collaborative approach and strong intimate visual authorship have made her a sought-after director of photography for directors, producers and agents across North America.

Emily’s work has been screened and premiered at some of Canada's most prominent film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), Hot Docs, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Inside Out Film Festival. Her work has been featured by leading media outlets including The Hollywood Reporter, CTV eTalk, and other prominent entertainment publications, reflecting her growing influence within Canada's screen industry. Her recent credits include Rent A Plus-One, the first Canadian series green-lit by iQIYI, one of the world's largest streaming platforms, created by acclaimed director and producer: Alice Wang and Ariel Yang. She also served as cinematographer on Pink Light, directed by Harrison Browne, which premiered at TIFF and has received significant industry attention alongside Browne’s work in Heated Rivalry.

Emily is deeply committed to giving back to the community that first helped her establish her career through ongoing involvement with the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) as a director of photography and member of the Circle of Supporters. She actively contributes to fostering new talent, expanding opportunities and showcasing underrepresented stories and voices in the Canadian film industry. She prides herself on providing equal opportunities to underrepresented LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals in the film industry on every project to give back to the community that helped her when she first began her career in the film industry with zero opportunities or networks.

Affiliate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers