Brief Introduction of Zack Khalil
Zack Khalil is a distinguished filmmaker and artist of Ojibway heritage, known for his thought-provoking work that centers on Indigenous narratives. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Khalil, along with his brother Adam Khalil, has gained international recognition for co-directing the critically acclaimed film INAATE/SE/ [it shines a certain way. to a certain place./it flies. falls./]. His artistic practice often involves innovative and experimental nonfiction forms, aiming to challenge and subvert traditional ethnographic representations of Indigenous peoples. Khalil is also a core contributor to the public secret society and art collective New Red Order, which confronts settler-colonialism and explores the complexities of Indigenous identity in the contemporary world. Through his films, installations, and collaborative projects, Zack Khalil has become a significant voice in contemporary art and cinema, dedicated to exploring and amplifying Indigenous perspectives for a global audience.
Zack Khalil Overview
| Full Name | Zack Khalil |
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1991 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 34 |
| Birthplace | Newton, Massachusetts, USA. |
| Profession | Filmmaker, Artist, Musician |
| Husband/Wife | Not publicly available |
| Family | Adam Khalil (Brother), Allison Krebs (Mother, deceased), Father (of Egyptian descent). |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Information not disclosed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
Early Life and Education of Zack Khalil
Zack Khalil was born on October 1, 1991, in Newton, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Ojibway). Raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Khalil’s upbringing was deeply influenced by his Indigenous heritage. His mother, the late Allison Krebs, was an indigenous scholar whose work significantly shaped his and his brother’s artistic and intellectual pursuits. From a young age, Khalil was immersed in the stories and traditions of his community, which would later become a central theme in his artistic endeavors. His father is of Egyptian descent, and while he has spoken about feeling more disconnected from his Arab ancestry, he has also acknowledged the parallels in storytelling and hospitality between Ojibway and Egyptian cultures. This bicultural background has provided him with a unique perspective that informs his creative work. For his higher education, Zack Khalil attended Bard College, a private liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. He pursued a degree in the Film and Electronic Arts department, where he honed his skills as a filmmaker and developed his distinct artistic voice. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His time at Bard was formative, providing him with the theoretical and practical foundation for his future career in experimental documentary and multimedia installation. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, which supported his undergraduate studies.
Zack Khalil’s Career
Zack Khalil’s career is distinguished by a commitment to reshaping Indigenous narratives in film and art. His most significant work to date is the feature-length experimental documentary INAATE/SE/ [it shines a certain way. to a certain place./it flies. falls./], which he co-directed with his brother, Adam Khalil. The film premiered in 2016 and received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative approach to storytelling. INAATE/SE/ delves into the Ojibway Seven Fires Prophecy, weaving together personal interviews, archival footage, animated drawings, and performance to create a kaleidoscopic and multi-layered narrative. The film serves as both a reclamation of Ojibway history from colonial archives and a forward-looking exploration of contemporary Indigenous identity. The Khalil brothers conceptualize their work as “anti-ethnographic,” actively working against the historical tendency of documentary film to exoticize or misrepresent Indigenous cultures.
Beyond this seminal work, Zack Khalil has been involved in numerous other film and art projects. His work has been exhibited at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Lincoln Center, and the Sundance Film Festival. This extensive exhibition history underscores the impact and importance of his work within the contemporary art and film landscapes. Many of his projects are collaborative, often created with his brother Adam and other artists. These works frequently take the form of multimedia installations, combining moving images and sound to create immersive experiences that explore the complexities of Indigenous life and history.
A significant aspect of Zack Khalil’s career is his role as a core contributor to the art collective New Red Order. Described as a “public secret society,” New Red Order utilizes video, performance, and installation to confront and critique the settler-colonial mindset and its manifestations in contemporary society. The collective’s work is often satirical and provocative, employing humor and irony to deconstruct colonial narratives and promote Indigenous futures. New Red Order has been featured in prominent exhibitions such as the Whitney Biennial and the Toronto Biennial of Art, further solidifying Khalil’s position as a key figure in a new generation of Indigenous artists who are redefining the boundaries of political and cultural art.
Zack Khalil Personal Life & Family
Zack Khalil’s personal life is deeply intertwined with his artistic practice and his family. He shares a close creative partnership with his older brother, Adam Khalil, with whom he has collaborated on numerous film and art projects. Their shared heritage as members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and their collective upbringing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have been foundational to their work. Their mother, Allison Krebs, who passed away in 2013, was a significant influence on their lives and careers. An Indigenous scholar, her work focused on shifting the power dynamics of Indigenous knowledge, a legacy that her sons continue through their filmmaking. The impetus to create their film INAATE/SE/ was in part a tribute to her and a continuation of her life’s work. His father is of Egyptian heritage, and in interviews, his brother Adam has humorously referred to their mixed background as “Ojibtian.” While Zack Khalil is based in Brooklyn, New York, he remains deeply connected to his community in Sault Ste. Marie. Information regarding his marital status or romantic relationships is not publicly available, as he appears to maintain a private personal life outside of his professional endeavors.
Awards and Achievements of Zack Khalil
- Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship.
- Sundance Art of Nonfiction Grant.
- Gates Millennium Scholarship.
- UnionDocs Collaborative Fellow.
- Sundance Indigenous Opportunity Fellow (2017).
- His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Lincoln Center, Walker Arts Center, New York Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival.
Zack Khalil Net Worth and Income
Information regarding Zack Khalil’s net worth and specific income sources is not publicly available. As a filmmaker and artist, his income is likely derived from a combination of grants, fellowships, artist fees for exhibitions and commissions, and sales of his work. He has been the recipient of several prestigious and financially significant grants and fellowships, including the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship and the Sundance Art of Nonfiction Grant, which provide substantial support for his artistic projects. However, a precise figure for his net worth as of 2025 has not been disclosed.
Legacy and Influence
Zack Khalil’s legacy is being built on his significant contributions to Indigenous cinema and contemporary art. Through his innovative and often subversive work, he is actively challenging and reshaping the narratives surrounding Indigenous peoples. His “anti-ethnographic” approach provides a powerful counterpoint to a long history of misrepresentation in media. By centering Indigenous voices and worldviews, Khalil’s films and art installations create space for more authentic and nuanced understandings of Indigenous life, history, and futures. His collaborative work with his brother Adam and the New Red Order collective is particularly influential, as it combines artistic practice with activism in a way that is both intellectually rigorous and accessible. They employ humor and irony as tools to deconstruct colonial ideologies, making their work both engaging and thought-provoking. The critical acclaim and international exhibition of his work have brought contemporary Indigenous issues to a wider audience, fostering dialogue and encouraging a deeper understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonialism. As he continues to produce challenging and innovative work, Zack Khalil’s influence is poised to grow, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers and artists to use their platforms for cultural and political change.
Interesting Facts about Zack Khalil
- In addition to being a filmmaker and artist, Zack Khalil is also a musician.
- He and his brother Adam refer to their mixed Ojibway and Egyptian heritage as “Ojibtian.”
- His work often incorporates the “trickster” figure, an important element in Ojibway storytelling that uses humor to address trauma and challenge conventions.
- The title of his and his brother’s film, INAATE/SE/, is an Ojibwe word that does not have a direct one-to-one translation in English, reflecting the film’s engagement with the nuances of Indigenous language and worldview.
- Through the New Red Order, he is involved in the “Give It Back” initiative, which advocates for the return of land to Indigenous peoples.
Controversies
There is no publicly available information regarding any significant controversies involving Zack Khalil. His work with the New Red Order is intentionally provocative and challenges established colonial narratives, which can be seen as controversial in some circles. For example, their work critiques institutions and public figures, and they have used performance to call out what they see as the problematic impersonation of Native Americans. However, these actions are central to their artistic and political project and have been largely received within the art world as critical commentary rather than personal controversy.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Not publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Zack Khalil
Zack Khalil stands as a pivotal figure in a movement of Indigenous artists who are harnessing the power of film and art to assert their own narratives and challenge the historical erasure and misrepresentation of their cultures. His work is characterized by a deep intellectual and artistic rigor, combined with a profound connection to his Ojibway heritage. The collaborative nature of his practice, particularly with his brother Adam and as a core member of the New Red Order, demonstrates a commitment to community and collective action. As he continues to create and exhibit his work on a global stage, Zack Khalil is not only contributing to the evolution of documentary and art but is also playing a crucial role in the broader movement for Indigenous sovereignty and cultural revitalization. His future projects are highly anticipated, as he is expected to continue pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and political discourse.
