Golden Zhao (Xinzhong Zhao)
Golden Zhao (Xinzhong Zhao) is a highly accomplished cinematographer with over ten years of experience in the film industry. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography from the prestigious UCLA MFA program. He has worked on various projects in China and the United States, including narrative films, documentaries, commercials, and music videos.
Golden is the recipient of several awards, including seventeen gold ADDY (American Advertising Awards), twenty silver ADDY awards, and five bronze ADDY awards. He has also been honored with seventeen Telly Awards (including a gold Telly Award), two Golden Lion International Advertising Awards, a Gold MUSE Creative Awards, and a Golden Sparrow Award. Two of his 30-second national spots for Coca-Cola and Regal Films, Frozen In Time and Just In Time, were screened nationwide in the US in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, the TV show Seven Days, which he DPed for over 32 episodes, ranked No.1 in May 2019 across all Chinese broadcast networks. In 2018, Golden was nominated for the ASC 33rd Heritage Awards for Best Documentary Cinematography for his work with director Francis Coppola.
Golden's success extends beyond his awards and nominations. In 2019, his image was featured on Coca-Cola cups and popcorn tubs in Regal theaters throughout the US to empower minority ethnic groups in the film industry. He was also interviewed by major television stations, including CCTV, Phoenix Television, and some local LA channels.
Golden's reputation as a cinematographer has earned him a position as a judge for several prestigious awards, a testament to his industry knowledge and respect. He served as a judge for the EMMY Awards (Pacific Southwest competition) in 2020, bringing his expertise to the table. He joined the judging panels for the Telly Awards, the EMMY Awards (Pacific Southwest competition), and the Golden Lion International Advertising Awards in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, Golden again joined the judging panel for the EMMY and Telly Awards, continuing to contribute to the industry.
Golden's DPed narrative projects have also been recognized at various film festivals, including the New York Television Festival, Outfest, Atlanta Film Festival, NewFest, LA INDIE Film Festival, Memphis INDIE Film Festival, LA International Culture Film Festival, the UCLA Spotlight Festival, and the student section of the EMMY Awards. Golden's impressive portfolio and industry recognition make him a highly sought-after cinematographer in the film industry.
AWARDS/HIGHLIGHTS
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• Three Silver Awards Winner, 2021 the Telly Awards
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• Silver and Bronze Awards Winner, Cinematography, 2020 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• Silver and Bronze Awards Winner, Online Commercial, 2020 the Telly Awards
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• Three Silver Awards Winner, Cinematography, 2020 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - California Competition
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• One Gold and Two Silver Awards Winner, Cinematography, 2020 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) -Los Angeles Competition
• Silver and Bronze Awards Winner, Cinematography, 2019 Telly Awards
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• One Gold Award, Cinematography, 2019 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - California Competition
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• Two Silver Awards, Promotion Video, 2019 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• One Gold Award, Cinematography, 2019 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• Three Silver Awards, Promotion Video, 2019 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• Silver and Bronze Awards Winner, Cinematography, 2018 Telly Awards
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• Silver Award, Cinematography, 2018 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - National Competition
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• Two Gold Awards, Cinematography, 2018 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• Two Gold Awards, Television, 2018 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• Four Gold Awards, Television & Cinematography , 2018 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) -California Competition
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• Best of Show, 2018 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award)– Los Angeles Student Competition
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• Silver Award, Cinematography , 2018 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - California Competition
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• Best of Show, 2017 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award)– Los Angeles Competition
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• Two Gold Awards, Cinematography, 2017 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award) - Los Angeles Competition
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• Gold Award, 2017 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award)– Los Angeles Competition
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• Second Place, 2017 Coca-Cola and Regal Films.
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• Spotlight Awards, the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Film Festival, 2017
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• Two Silver Awards, 2017 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award)– District 15 Competition
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• Nominated, TV Series, 2017 Student Emmy Awards.
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• Official Selection, LA INDIE Film Festival, 2017
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• Silver Award, 2016 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award)– District 15 Competition
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• Two Silver Awards, 2016 the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Award)– Los Angeles Competition
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• Official Selection, Memphis INDIE Film Festival, 2016
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• Cirque du Soleil Emerging Artists Scholarship, 2016
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• Nevada Fellowship, 2016 National Association of Theatre Owners of California
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• Official Selection, Los Angeles International Culture Film Festival, 2016
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• James Pendleton Foundation Prize, 2015
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• Official Selection, 24th Annual UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Film Festival, 2015
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• Craft Editor for Mid-America Student Emmy Award, Mid-America Student Television Award for Excellence, NATAS
Mid-America, 2013
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• Grand Prize for National Undergraduate Student Electronic Media Competition, Drama Program, National Broadcast
Society, 2013
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• First Place for South Central Regional Conference and Competition, National Broadcast Society, 2012
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• Best Special Effects and Editing of the 48 Hours Film Project 2012(Memphis)
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