From Melaka to Hollywood: The Inspiring Journey of Sunway School of American Education Alumnus, Ezekiel Lazaroo

At just 23 years old, Ezekiel Lazaroo, a talented filmmaker from the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir, Melaka, has embarked on an extraordinary journey to Hollywood. Growing up in a close-knit community, Ezekiel never imagined that his passion for storytelling would lead him to 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," Ezekiel shared.

One of his 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 and reaffirmed his choice to pursue filmmaking.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is 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 Ezekiel in illustrious company.

Ezekiel completed the American Degree Transfer Programme from School of American Education, Sunway University in 2021 and transferred to California State University, Monterey Bay for a Bachelor of Arts in Cinematography and Film/Video Production. He graduated from CSU-Monterey Bay in 2023. 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.

Ezekiel 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, Ezekiel works as an assistant editor at Major Creative, a full-service creative advertising agency specializing 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 has served as a steppingstone, helping him refine his craft and shape his unique voice as an editor.