At just 23, Ezekiel Lazaroo has taken a remarkable step into the heart of Hollywood. Hailing from the humble Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir, Melaka, the young filmmaker never imagined that his passion for storytelling would lead him to one of the most prestigious industries in the world.
Growing up in a close-knit community, Lazaroo's dreams seemed distant. However, his dedication to filmmaking and relentless pursuit of excellence propelled him forward. His journey has been anything but easy relocating to a new country, navigating cultural differences, and overcoming financial struggles were among the many challenges he faced.
"Moving to the United States was overwhelming at first. The industry is highly competitive, and adapting to an entirely different environment was a learning curve," Lazaroo shared in a telephone interview on Monday (Feb 10).
Despite the difficulties, Lazaroo has made significant strides in his career. His recent short film, Qué Es Un Niño? (What Is a Boy?), earned a nomination for the prestigious Student Academy Award and was selected for the 2024 Cinequest Film Festival, an Academy Award-qualifying event.
"It's surreal to see my work being recognized at such a level. More than anything, it reinforces my belief in the power of storytelling and why I chose this path," he said.
What makes this achievement even more notable is that Qué Es Un Niño? is the first film from California State University to receive a Student Academy Award nomination. This international competition has helped launch the careers of renowned filmmakers like Robert Zemeckis, Spike Lee, and Pete Docter, placing Lazaroo among an esteemed group of rising talents.
His transition to Hollywood was a leap of faith, filled with moments of doubt and perseverance. Lazaroo emphasized that each project he worked on reignited his love for filmmaking.
"Every challenge has been a reminder of why I started. The passion for storytelling keeps me going," he said.
Lazaroo honed his skills in film editing at California State University, Monterey Bay, where he mastered industry-standard tools such as Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. His technical expertise laid the foundation for his growing career in the film industry.
Currently, he works as an assistant editor at Major Major Creative, a full-service creative advertising agency specializing in trailers and marketing materials. His team has contributed to high-profile campaigns for Mickey 17 (Warner Bros), Death of a Unicorn (A24), and Unstoppable (Amazon MGM Studios). Each experience has played a crucial role in shaping his creative vision and refining his craft.
As Hollywood continues to embrace diverse voices, Lazaroo is determined to bring unique Malaysian stories to the global stage.
"There are so many untold stories from Malaysia that deserve to be seen. My goal is to share them with the world while staying true to my cultural roots," he said.
With his talent, perseverance, and passion for storytelling, Ezekiel Lazaroo is carving a path for himself in Hollywood one film at a time.
Source: TheStar
