Director Kogonada premiered his feature zi at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, assembling a team of six to shoot the Hong Kong-set drama in three weeks.
The film follows Zi Wong, an accomplished violinist experiencing dreamlike visions of her future that lead her to cross paths with American expat Elle and her friend Min.
Speaking at The Ray Theatre in Park City, Utah, cast member Jin Ha expressed astonishment at seeing the final cut, noting that production wrapped only four months prior in October. Kogonada compared the lean, agile production style to a heist, tasking a small team with wearing multiple hats to bypass the traditional studio machine.
Kogonada Premieres Zi at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
- Kogonada premiered zi in the NEXT section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026.
- The production relied on a six-person core crew practicing guerrilla filmmaking over three weeks in Hong Kong.
- The narrative centers on an accomplished violinist named Zi, played by Michelle Mao, alongside Haley Lu Richardson and Jin Ha.
The Genesis in Hong Kong
The visual framework for zi began years prior during discussions between Kogonada and cinematographer Benjamin Loeb on the set of After Yang. The pair sought to break away from conventional studio constructs. They selected Hong Kong as their base after narrowing down a list of five inspiring global cities.
“This conversation started many years ago between K and I,” cinematographer Benjamin Loeb said.
The resulting production captured the city’s distinct collision of modern infrastructure and historic backdrops. Cinematographer Benjamin Loeb noted that the core creative team aimed to make something entirely outside the standard machinery of filmmaking. That approach shaped an unfussy, run-and-gun aesthetic that places viewers directly into Hong Kong’s streets, markets, and transit hubs.
Building a Micro-Budget Heist Crew
Operating without a massive studio footprint required every participant to take on overlapping responsibilities. Kogonada described the logistics as a heist requiring a versatile crew of six individuals who managed multiple production duties. Cast members actively participated in the daily upkeep required for a fast-moving, independent shoot.
“In order for this to happen, it was like a heist,” Kogonada said.
Michelle Mao handled her own wardrobe maintenance between grueling shooting blocks. Meanwhile, Haley Lu Richardson joked about managing Kogonada’s nutrition during hyperfocused days on set. The resulting atmosphere translated directly to the screen, blending scripted narrative moments with real-time street environments.
| Production Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director | Kogonada |
| Cinematographer | Benjamin Loeb |
| Primary Cast | Michelle Mao, Haley Lu Richardson, Jin Ha |
| Setting | Hong Kong |
| Premiere Venue | The Ray Theatre, Sundance Film Festival |
Premiere Reactions in Park City
The reception inside The Ray Theatre highlighted the personal bonds formed during the rapid-fire shoot. Kogonada praised Michelle Mao for her deep knowledge of film history. Jin Ha described the final product as a blend of theatrical staging and spontaneous, real-time capture.
The emotional highlight of the premiere Q&A arrived when first-time actor Valerie M. Richardson took the microphone. Speaking to a receptive audience alongside her daughter Haley Lu Richardson, she reflected on the emotional toll and ultimate joy of stepping behind the camera’s perspective for the very first time.
