the villains
“In a world where there are no heroes left, the Villains battle it out to find out who will be King of the ashes…”
An extended demo for an upcoming series currently in development with Upshot Films.
the beating of the telltale heart
“A gothic dinner party sets the scene for a spine-chilling confession as Modern Classic Theatre presents an immersive live performance of Edgar Allen Poe’s horror classic…”
A Modern Classic Theatre x Soho House Toronto presentation. Starring James Acton. Directed by Mona Zaidi.
Members only tickets. October 30, Soho House Toronto
my own private shakespeare
“Marvellous…★★★★” TheFrontRowCentre.com
“A powerful piece… The acting is magnificent. ★★★★★” Mooney on Theatre
2022 BROADWAYWORLD CANADA AWARD WINNER – BEST PLAY & BEST DIRECTOR
From a single fateful phone call taken reluctantly from the toilet, a Shakespearean actor finds his world collapsing around him. As the story unfolds, the unforgiving realities of his shattered life intertwine with Shakespeare’s radiant, immortal text, while the man teeters dangerously close to the brink.
Written by and starring acclaimed actor Justin Hay, known for his performance in the 2017 filmed adaptation “Richard III – Unto the Kingdom of Perpetual Night”, the play draws on some of the greatest and most powerful passages from Shakespeare to ask: Is it possible to find peace with the impossible paradoxes of life?
A bold new one-person show heralding the return of groundbreaking live theatre.
October 6-23, 2021, Assembly Theatre, Toronto.
August 5-27, 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
August 1-4, 2024 Frigid NYC Little Shakespeare Festival.
pass a bottle
2024 Music Video “A love letter to vintage Soca, Calypso, Reggae and Afrofunk album covers”
Artist: Jah Ricky. Directed by Mona Zaidi. Running time: 2:59 min.
Finalist 2024 MVA Music Video Awards
the table with a thousand chairs
“An intimate portrait of a trailblazing Pakistani-Canadian woman who is trying to preserve a sacred family tradition – cooking and eating together.”
“The Table With A Thousand Chairs” A commissioned film for the 2018 President’s Choice “Eat Together” Film Project. Directed, shot and edited by Mona Zaidi. Running time: 2:20 min.
Showing at Cineplex Theatres across Canada in June 2018 with over 1 million views online.
async – ryuichi sakamoto
“A girl falls out of sync.”
An experimental film featuring the title track from legendary Japanese artist/composer Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 2017 album Async” , as a part of the 2017 Async Short Film Competition. Starring Devon Ross (from Olivier Assayas’ Irma Vep television series). Written and directed by Mona Zaidi. Running time: 2 min 56 sec.
Official Entry: 2017 Async Short Film Competition
shakespeare’s richard iii
“When the imprisoned Duke of Clarence recounts an apocalyptic dream, his jailer fears for what lies ahead…”
“Unto the Kingdom of Perpetual Night” A short film adapted from William Shakespeare’s Richard III, starring Gary Graham as the Duke of Clarence and Justin Hay as Brackenbury. Adapted for screen and directed by Mona Zaidi. Running time: 13 min. WINNER BEST FILM, 2017 SHAKESPEARE FILM FESTIVAL.
“Excitingly ambitious, skillfully made, and full of imaginative talent. A powerfully felt exploration of nightmare – personal and global.” – Sir Kenneth Branagh
shakespeare’s julius caesar
“The mighty Julius Caesar lies murdered on the steps of the capital. Marc Antony has let slip the dogs of war and driven Caesar’s killer’s from Rome. Thus encamped and encircled, Brutus and Cassius prepare to meet Marc Antony and Caesar’s heir on the battlefield, all the while trying to convince themselves that the murder of Caesar was for the good of Rome.”
“In Shallows and In Miseries“ A short film adapted from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, starring Justin Hay as Brutus and Clyde Whitham as Cassius. Adapted for screen and directed by Mona Zaidi. Running time: 8 min.
mirage: the gertrude bell story
“As the world descends into the chaos of World War I, the hopes of a fledgling British intelligence operation in Arabia rest on the shoulders of one woman…”
“Mirage” A new historical/biographical play by acclaimed Canadian playwright Laurie Fyffe, directed by Mona Zaidi. Presented as a part of the 2018 New Ideas Festival at Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre. Running time: 75 min. 2018 NEW IDEAS THEATRE FESTIVAL.
granite girls
“Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi would do just about anything to get out of purgatory…”
“Granite Girls” A Kafka-esque one act comedy by Toronto playwrights Barbara Brown and Rhona Bennett, directed by Mona Zaidi. Presented as a part of the 2018 Big Ideas Festival at Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre. Running time: 35 min. 2018 BIG IDEAS THEATRE FESTIVAL
small potatoes
“A young man embarks on a hair-brained journey of self discovery, self destruction, and sandwiches, not necessarily in that order.”
“Small Potatoes” Official Selection 2006 European Independent Film Festival, called “one of the funniest films of the year” by festival organizers. Starring Carlo Rota, Richard Lambert, Bruno Colozza, Max Stefanelli and Mel Vavaroutsos. Written and directed by Mona Zaidi. Running time: 26 min.
the mermaid’s daughter
“Abandoned by her mysterious, troubled mother, a young girl caught in the social care system struggles to make sense of her mother’s erratic behaviour.”
“The Mermaid’s Daughter” Starring Devon Ross, Filipe Fidalgo and Lauren Dela Pina. Written and directed by Mona Zaidi.
