Liz Rao is a Gotham-award nominated feature filmmaker, recently named a Vimeo Breakout Creator of the Year 2025 for her debut short as Writer-Director, THE TRUCK. Rao is based in Brooklyn, with roots in Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois, and is a Hear Us Grantee for her debut feature screenplay. Rao is currently at NYU Grad Film for her MFA in Screenwriting and Directing.

Oscar-Longlisted for Best Live Action Short Film, THE TRUCK, has enjoyed screenings at over 50 Festivals and won 20 Awards, Worldwide. The Truck World Premiered at Telluride Film Festival, screening at The Museum of Modern Art, winning Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short at Oscar-qualifying Florida Film Festival, Best Screenplay at Rhode Island International Film Festival, the University Film Award at Hamptons International Film Festival, winning double awards at Bend Film Festival, winning double awards at São Paulo Film Festival, with additional screenings at Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Chicago Critics Film Festival, Salute Your Shorts, Sun Valley Film Festival, theatrically screening for over two weeks at IFC Center, New York City, and more. The Truck is supported by top awards from The Future of Film is Female, Fusion Film award, NYU Kings Award, Clive Davis award. More here.

Rao comes from a background in direct cinema mentored by Albert Maysles. Rao’s acclaimed feature filmography as producer and editor includes Producing and Co-Editing MADELINE’S MADELINE, editing MAINELAND, editing MATERNA, editing BEEN HERE STAY HERE, and more. Rao has given Artist talks at IFP Narrative Lab, The Edit Center, UnionDocs, and Yale University and has taught workshops at True/False Film Festival. Rao is a proud member of the Brown Girls Doc Mafia.