Capturing Moments, Crafting Stories

About Me

Hey there, I'm Ava Zagoria, a passionate filmmaker and photographer with a flair for the unexpected. From the academic alleys of my Occidental College and Paideia high school film classes to elite programs at Emory, Oglethorpe, and UCLA, I've honed my skills through rigorous training and experimentation.

I've captured the heartbeats of music and film festivals, live theatre and sporting events, garnered accolades, championed inclusive projects and explored stories less told.

I can be a one-woman studio — writing, filming, directing, lighting, editing — you name it. Yet, I thrive in collaboration, embracing multiple perspectives and being easy-going and fun to work with.

While I love using special effects to catch the eye, I live for those moments when my compelling narrative captures heart strings.

My Education

I'm a freshman at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth aren’t just encouraged—they’re part of the culture. Surrounded by a dynamic community of diverse learners, I’ve been inspired to push boundaries and expand my perspective. Oxy has also deepened my passion for film, offering specialized courses and hands-on opportunities that have sharpened my storytelling and technical skills.

Before Occidental, I attended The Paideia School in Atlanta, a K-12 liberal arts school that nurtured my love for film and provided opportunities to apply my skills across multiple projects.

Beyond the classroom, I’ve continued honing my craft through immersive experiences, including multiple summers at Camp Flix and The National Student Leadership Conference Film Intensive at UCLA. Each opportunity has fueled my creative journey, reinforcing my passion for filmmaking and storytelling.

My Skills

Creative Writing: Talent in screenwriting, with a knack for crafting authentic dialogue.

Cinematography: Skilled in both film and still photography, using a range of equipment from iPhones to high-end gear like Canon DSLR and Blackmagic cinema cameras.

Editing: Expertise in post-production with an eye for detail. Proficient in Adobe Premiere, with the ability to work tirelessly until every pixel is in place.

Visual Effects: Proficient in Adobe After Effects and Photoshop capable of enhancing scenes with compelling visual storytelling.

Lighting & Special Effects: Passionate about setting the perfect scene tone through strategic lighting and the use of special effects.

Directing: My true passion lies in directing and guiding a vision from script to screen.

My Experience

I jump at any opportunities that come my way, so my experience is diverse and interesting.