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About me

Life is a journey, everyday a step to be a better version of myself. 

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ZhiMin Hu, a Chinese Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto, is an alumna of the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University and WIDC (Women in the Director’s Chair). She is fascinated by stories that explore human nature, psychology, and social aspects.

She has written, produced, directed, and edited a feature documentary and eight short films, including fiction, documentary, and experimental film. In addition to her independent filmmaking projects, she has directed several TV docuseries and web series and has worked as an editor for fiction, documentary, and TV shows for over 10 years. 

Her films have received acclaim and been featured at numerous Canadian Screen Award and Academy Award-qualifying international and local film festivals, as well as broadcast on CBC and CBC Gem. Her accolades include the Best Canadian Short Award at the Regina Film Festival, the Multicultural Award at the Yorkton Film Festival, and the Silver Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. Additionally, she has been nominated for the Best of the Festival Award at Yorkton and for Best Director & Best Feature Film at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, amongst others.

  • In 2014, Sophie’s Letter, selected by Prime Centre, won the Special Mention Award at the TopShorts Film Festival.
  • In 2016, A Cold Summer Night (28 min) was supported by the NFB and later became part of the BAnQ’s collection.
  • In 2018, I’m Waiting for Mama won the Best Canadian Short at the RIFFA (Regina International Film Festival and Awards).
  • In 2019, Ketchup & Soya Sauce, a feature documentary, was broadcast on CBC and is now available on CBC GEM.
  • In 2020, a 63-minute version of Ketchup & Soya Sauce was nominated for Best Canadian Feature and Best Director for a Feature Film, and was spotlighted at the 2020 Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
  • In 2024, The Teacup won the Multicultural Award, was nominated for Best of the Festival Award, and was presented as the closing film of the 77th Yorkton Film Festival. It also won the Silver Remi Award at the 57th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival.

In 2021, her first feature film script, Under the Red Umbrella, was optioned and is currently in development. She will serve as both the writer and director for the project.

In 2022, her second feature film script, Chloe’s Still Here, which was selected and funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, was completed. It’s currently in development, with her serving as the writer, producer, and director.

In order to refine and improve her skills as a director and storyteller, she has been working as a professional editor in fiction, documentary, reality TV, comedy productions, and television documentaries. She is praised for her attention to detail and her ability to highlight the essence of the story.

Besides directing and editing, ZhiMin is active in other fields. She is a passionate photographer. She was a jury member for the 2020 Ontario Arts Council in Media Art, the 2020 Black Bird Film Festival, and the 2012 Amérasia Film Festival. She has also been a film critic for a Chinese weekly newspaper, a TV host and researcher for the TV show Sino-Montreal on CJNT, and an organizer for the 2008 Montreal Sichuan earthquake fundraising event.