Zero Sum Films uses an ethno-narrative approach to explore pressing social and political issues. Core to both our fiction and non-fiction work is embedding deeply into the lives of our subjects, and making our subjects central to our storytelling process. We use film to build bridges, create empathy, and challenge our audiences’ conventions. Whether migrant workers from the Philippines, a Muslim boy growing up in Brooklyn, or Chinese kung fu masters in Borneo, our films are vehicles for diving deeply into the lives of others.

Together Joel and Patrick have been able to harness their skills to create a unique and complementary collaboration. They have been widely lauded for their unique perspective and handling of real locations and non-actors. Their work focuses upon socially important issue and has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Patrick Daly is a trained anthropologist and environmental scientist, with a PhD. from the University of Oxford. He splits his time between teaching and academic research at the National University of Singapore and independent filmmaking. He has written, directed and produced a number of award winning documentary and narrative films that have played at film festivals around the world.

Joel Fendelman comes from a film background receiving a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and an MFA from the University of Texas, Austin. He has worked over fifteen years in the film industry in New York City producing content for companies such as A&E, PBS, American Express, Ovation TV, Allure, MTV. He has lectured about Independent filmmaking at various film festivals and universities.