Mexico City native's journey into the world of cinema began in his teenage years, as he became fascinated with the art of filmmaking. He spent his free time attending local second-run cinemas, which showcased a different feature film every day, and regularly attended film festivals. This exposure to the world of cinema only fueled his passion, and he went on to study filmmaking at the prestigious Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos.
During his time at film school, he developed a strong interest in cinematography, and he began working as a director of photography on his friends' projects. After graduating, he found himself in a challenging situation, as Mexico was experiencing a period of economic turmoil that had a devastating impact on the film industry.
Undeterred, he continued to work on various projects, including commercials, documentaries, and short films. His big break came in 2004, when he collaborated with film school classmate Fernando Eimbcke on the critically acclaimed film "Duck Season." The film's black-and-white photography, influenced by Jim Jarmusch, earned him numerous accolades, including cinematography honors at the prestigious Ariel Awards.
He went on to work on several more projects, earning another Ariel Award for "Silent Light" in 2007 and a nomination for Eimbcke's "Lake Tahoe" in 2008. In 2014, he made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles, where he has been working on a wide range of projects, from short films to music videos.
Some of his notable projects include the Adidas-sponsored short film "Original Is Never Finished," writer-director Sean Baker's upcoming film "The Florida Project," and music videos for Pharrell Williams' "Happy" and "Marilyn Monroe," as well as the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Sacrilege." Despite the challenges he faced in his early career, Zabe's determination and passion for filmmaking have led him to achieve great success.
Looking back on his journey, Zabe reflects on the importance of his Mexican upbringing, stating, "I evolved and developed in Mexico, but it opens up a whole new universe to live in the U.S." This sentiment highlights the impact that his Mexican heritage has had on his career, and the opportunities that he has been presented with since relocating to Los Angeles.
