bio
Zoë Alyce Salnave is a Bay Area based filmmaker, educator, and storyteller whose work is rooted in themes of community, upward mobility, and urban life. With a passion for producing narratives that center diversity, sustainability, and youth culture, her films have screened at festivals worldwide and garnered numerous awards—including a Resolution Award from the State of California for Humanitarian Work in Documentary Filmmaking.
A graduate of Mills College with a BA in Creative Writing and Film Studies and an MFA in Film and Television Production from USC’s renowned School of Cinematic Arts, Salnave brings both academic rigor and industry experience to her work. Her professional background includes roles in Television Development at IMAGINE Entertainment under Brian Grazer, as a producer on SHOWTIME's acclaimed docu-series Couples Therapy, and as a Creative Director at the Oakland-based video agency Glass & Marker, where she directed branded and documentary content for companies such as Google, Airbnb, Microsoft, and HP.
As an educator, Salnave has taught film production, media literacy, and critique at several institutions, including the University of Southern California, Saint Mary’s College of California, and the University of San Francisco. She is currently a tenure-track Professor of Directing, Producing, and Performance at the University of the Pacific. Her teaching philosophy blends activism with entertainment, encouraging students to explore drama, comedy, and social commentary while developing a critical eye toward the media they consume and create.
Salnave places a strong emphasis on staying relevant to current cultural and media trends, while grounding her work in historical context and literary tradition. As a constant student of life, she is informed and inspired by the societal ebbs and flows that shape how audiences engage with media. Her approach honors the past, engages the present, and anticipates the future—blending classical storytelling influences with modern innovations in both short- and long-form content. This attention to cultural relevance and evolving forms of expression defines both her creative and pedagogical practice.
Through a documentarian lens and a multidisciplinary approach, Zoë Alyce Salnave continues to explore untapped stories from underrepresented perspectives—challenging the traditional canon and advocating for a more inclusive and progressive media landscape.