Goran Zaneti is a filmmaker based in San Francisco. He pulls from his Kurdish roots to tell the personal stories of underrepresented communities. He aims to bring together the beauty in visual imagery with intensely human experiences to deepen our understanding of different realities.
He has contributed to projects for CNN, KQED, Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. He studied documentary film at the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley where he earned his Master of Journalism.
Goran also has extensive experience in Silicon Valley and is interested in the intersection of technology and immersive storytelling.
Goran Zaneti is a filmmaker based in San Francisco. He pulls from his Kurdish roots to tell the personal stories of underrepresented communities. He aims to bring together the beauty in visual imagery with intensely human experiences to deepen our understanding of different realities.
He has contributed to projects for CNN, KQED, Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. He studied documentary film at the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley where he earned his Master of Journalism.
Goran also has extensive experience in Silicon Valley and is interested in the intersection of technology and immersive storytelling.
Reach out to Goran Zaneti to collaborate, inquire about his work or other general questions or comments.
A group of Black and Latin women activists in San José, California drive a grassroots movement to remove police from their children's schools. Will they succeed?
Filming for this documentary was done under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the lead up to the pivotal 2020 elections.
The film is one of only five documentaries selected nationally by Los Angeles Times Studios as part of the inaugural launch of L.A. Times Short Docs and was presented at the historic Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The film is also available on SIMA Academy, an educational platform that serves over 70,000 students across 50 countries, and has been selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's APCEIU for multiple educational screenings.
Directors: Goran Zaneti, Skyler Glover
Producer: Goran Zaneti
Now Streaming: Los Angeles Times Short Docs
From a refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border, an eight-year-old girl named Evlin characterizes the resilience of her hometown of Kobane against ISIS militants. In the midst of the tragic war in Syria, Evlin's story provides hope.
This feature-length documentary was shot during a 16-month period at the height of war against ISIS. The audience is taken to a refugee camp in Turkey where they get to learn directly from impacted families while the war rages on. The film also crosses the border into Syria where some locals have stayed behind to defend their homes.
The film won eight festival awards including three for Best Feature Documentary and Best in Show and three audience awards for Best Feature Documentary. The film screened in over 25 film festivals globally.
Director: Apo Bazidi
Producers: Goran Zaneti, Apo Bazidi
Executive Producer: Goran Zaneti
Watch on Prime (US) or Vimeo (International)
In the midst of Trump's immigration ban, a teenage refugee Ahmed and his sister Ruba find a home at a Cleveland school for immigrants. Will they be able to reach their dreams?
The documentary film brings the audience up close and personal with children who have been forced to face the hardships of immigration. Despite their traumatic pasts as refugees, these inspiring children are determined as ever to achieve their goals.
The film is available on SIMA Academy, an educational platform that serves over 70,000 students across 50 countries.
Director: Apo Bazidi
Producers: Goran Zaneti, Cy Dodson, Apo Bazidi
Watch on Vimeo
At the age of 63, retired food-service worker Ruth Brinker became a pioneer of HIV care in her community and would become a legend among San Franciscans. Providing meals with love became the hallmark of her mission. Her goal was to not only provide meals but to also revitalize the city’s sense of community.
The film won the The Tom & Ginny Knoll Award: In Celebration of Acts of Kindness at the 47th Cleveland International Film Festival. The film had a major private screening hosted by the late Ruth Brinker's organization, Project Open Hand, at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco.
Director: Apo Bazidi
Producers: Goran Zaneti, Apo Bazidi
For screening updates, visit www.ruthbrinker.com
Paul Austin, a 3rd generation Marin City resident, inspires kids through sports and builds community in an area severely lacking resources.
Austin uses sports as a vehicle to create a brighter tomorrow. This short also highlights Darrion Trammell, a standout basketball player at Seattle University. As a champion of Marin City, he provides an example for young kids in the small area within Marin County.
Production for this film was done through CNN Film School, in partnership with Genesis, in a fellowship program for a select group of documentary filmmakers. The film was aired live on a CNN World View program.
Director: Skyler Glover
Producer: Goran Zaneti
Watch on CNN.COM
A Japanese woman, Aya Ahn, builds a community out of her 50-year-old donut shop, which is one of San Francisco's major tourist attractions for people from all around the world.
While many restaurants and small businesses have closed in San Francisco over the years, Aya has managed to not only keep her business afloat but has expanded. Her kindness and empathy towards others combined with the delicious donuts of her shop have made her a beloved member of her neighborhood in San Francisco.
The film was created in partnership with Yahoo! Japan and in association with the Yahoo! Japan Creators Program. The film has been widely viewed online in Japan. The film also had a theatrical premiere in the U.S. at the 46th Mill Valley Film Festival.
Director: Toshikazu Hosoki
Producers: Goran Zaneti, Yuta Okamura, Mariko Ide
Camera: Goran Zaneti, Yuta Okamura
Watch on NEWS.YAHOO.CO.JP
A group of high school and college students join a real estate development program to learn about how they can shape their futures and become leaders of their own communities. The program aims to bring more diversity into the industry by empowering youth from underrepresented communities and teaching them how to be agents of positive change.
The 23-minute film was created in association with the organizer of the program, Presidio Bay Ventures.
Prior to the film, we created a teaser that was screened at Presidio Bay Ventures' 10th Year Anniversary (2022) at Saint Joseph's Arts Society in San Francisco and was presented by former mayor, The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. The film is currently being shown in educational settings and has been screened at festivals nationally.
Directors: Goran Zaneti, Matthieu Brajot
Producers: Goran Zaneti, Apo Bazidi
Editors: Goran Zaneti, Toshikazu Hosoki
Watch on PBVSCHOLARSHIP.COM
Goran's past work includes coordinating humanitarian projects in Turkey and Iraq and he has provided reporting and analysis concerning U.S. foreign policy and conflicts in the Middle East.
He has been featured as a guest in numerous radio and television programs for his reporting and commentary.
Highlighted Television & Radio Appearances:
