MELAKA: At just 23 years old, Ezekiel Lazaroo, a filmmaker from the humble Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir, here has embarked on an extraordinary journey to Hollywood.
Growing up in a close-knit community, the Melaka-born never imagined that his passion for storytelling would lead him to work in one of the world’s most competitive and renowned industries.
"The journey hasn't been easy. Moving to a new country, facing cultural and financial challenges and navigating the competitive industry was overwhelming," he said in a telephone interview on Monday (Feb 10).
One of Lazaroo’s recent works, "Qué Es Un Niño?" (What Is a Boy?), was nominated for the prestigious Student Academy Award and selected for the 2024 Cinequest Film Festival, an Academy Award-qualifying event.
This recognition marked a significant milestone in his career.
"Seeing this project receive recognition has been surreal.
"But more than anything, it reaffirms why I chose this path," he said.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable, Lazaroo said, was that it was the first film from California State University to earn a Student Academy Award nomination.
This international competition has launched the careers of acclaimed filmmakers like Robert Zemeckis, Spike Lee and Pete Docter, placing Lazaroo in illustrious company.
Lazaroo’s move to Hollywood was a bold leap of faith.
He encountered numerous obstacles, from adjusting to a new culture to grappling with financial difficulties and proving himself in a fiercely competitive field.
"Every project I worked on reminded me why I fell in love with filmmaking," he said.
Lazaroo built a solid foundation in film editing at California State University, Monterey Bay, where he honed his skills using industry-standard tools like Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
"This technical expertise became the bedrock of my creative journey," he said.
Currently, Lazaroo works as an assistant editor at Major Major Creative, a full-service creative advertising agency specialising in trailers and marketing materials.
His team recently contributed to campaigns for Mickey 17 (Warner Bros), Death of a Unicorn (A24), and Unstoppable (Amazon MGM Studios). Each project, he said, has served as a stepping stone, helping him refine his craft and shape his unique voice as an editor.
As Hollywood evolves to embrace more diverse voices, Lazaroo is determined to be part of this movement.
"There are so many untold Malaysian stories that deserve to be seen and heard.
"I hope to bring them to the big screen as I continue my journey to tell stories that resonate universally while staying rooted in my cultural identity," he added.
