We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lillian Lazum. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lillian below.
Lillian, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
What drew me to filmmaking was the desire to be seen and understood, especially during a time when the world felt uncertain and chaotic. It also happened to be a point in my life when I was trying to figure out what to do with my future. Even though I didn’t know much about filmmaking at the time, I found it fascinating how film could evoke emotions and reveal truths. I admired the creativity, the beauty of the craft, and the endless room for imagination, but most of all I loved a good story.
As I continued down this path, I began to notice how impactful personal stories could be when told by the people who lived through them. Seeing how those stories were not only recognized by many but also celebrated and loved—that’s when I started to believe that my journey could be about more than self-expression. It gave me the affirmation I needed: that people are seeking connection and that the stories rooted in truth are the ones that resonate most.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As a filmmaker, I have the unique opportunity to walk through different worlds and take on the challenge of turning ideas into reality. Whether I’m directing, editing, or shooting, I’m always searching for inspiration for the next project. One day, we might be strolling through the streets of DTLA with Spider-Man; the next, we could be driving out to the desert at 4 a.m. to capture the painted skies. Over time, this career path has taken me to many unexpected places, and I find it rewarding to approach life this way—to always view it it with different lenses and watch how the efforts of many individuals can bring a vision to life. Then, when I return home to edit, I get to relive those moments all over again, find the ones I might have missed, and share the complete picture with everyone.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
At the beginning of my journey, curiosity drove me to seek out my first opportunities. By constantly asking questions, I embraced all kinds of challenges and developed the mindset of someone who is always learning. Whenever I felt nervous about following up on a gig or asking for feedback on my work, I’d ask myself, what if: “What if I could make it better?” “What if they actually see my work and like it?” “What if this leads to the next big step in my career?” When I allowed myself to evolve as a creator, the possibilities opened up.
As time went on, I began to understand the power of empathy—especially when working with clients, crews, and other creatives. Each time someone entrusted me with their vision, I felt very grateful and made it a priority to go above and beyond to honor that trust. Empathy transformed my collaboration process because whenever I dedicated more time and effort into something they deeply cared about, they always remembered. That’s when I realized that building connections within the industry isn’t just a series of transactions—it’s about building genuine relationships.
But above all, I learned that passion and dreams alone can only take you so far. What really counts in the end is resilience—the courage to keep believing in your ideas even when others don’t or when you don’t see progress despite your hard work. It’s in the moments of doubt and failure that persistence matters the most.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Lately, I’ve been struggling with my mental health and putting a lot of pressure on myself. But when things start to feel overwhelming, I turn to gratitude. In this industry, it’s easy to fixate on what our path to “success” should look like—and when reality doesn’t match that vision, we tend to lose sight of ourselves. Thoughts like “I’m not where I want to be” or “My ideas aren’t good enough” would constantly echo in my mind.
But as the pressure continues to grow, I’ve learned how important it is to appreciate the moments unfolding in front of us, to celebrate every achievement—no matter how small—and to protect that part of ourselves that creates from wonder. In those moments, I remind myself where I started and how extraordinary my journey has been.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilly_laz77/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-k-lazum/
Image Credits
COVER
Shot by Nezumi
STILLS
Director of Photography: Sam Jalâlpour & Jay
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
