Rising Stars: Meet Azuri Vallatine of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Azuri Vallatine.

Hi Azuri, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Azuri Vallatine, I am 17 years old and I am based in Los Angeles, California!

Growing up, I have always been a creative person. I fell in love with animation at an early age and I was convinced I would become an animation artist in my future. When I was 10, I would be elated to go home right after school, hop on YouTube, and watch my favorite animated creators’ share their stories and speed paints. The daily inspiration sparked a passion inside me, and I began mimicking their content and creating my own stories in my early teenage years.

As my creative path blossomed, my interest in animation blended with the world of video editing. I loved to create skits and short animated videos, and I was fascinated by rotoscope animation. However, even with all of these interests, I was still craving to know more about the inner working of media production and the different positions within the entertainment industry.

It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I was intrigued in becoming a filmmaker. I discovered a program called Black Girls Film Camp (BGFC), a non-profit organization that selects 10 teen girls in the U.S. to be the writers and directors of their own short films. In 2024, I was selected for the program, and my life changed forever. With my BGFC team, I wrote and directed my first award-winning short film, Self Belief Symphony (2024). Since its release, my film has aired on Aspire TV, and been selected for notable film festivals such as Micheaux Film Festival, NewFilmmakers LA, and North Carolina Black Film Festival.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have been so fortunate to have a strong, loving, and supportive community surrounding me which has shaped me to mature as a young teen director and writer. However, the biggest challenge I have had is to trust my creative visions and voice in a world where my young perspective is not always valued in big spaces. While a novice in my filmmaking career, I have watched myself slowly but surely gain ease with my visions for stories, and trust my capabilities of bringing a world to life. So far, I believe each project I have been a part of has taught me how to be a better collaborator, and leader, and remain well-rounded during the process. So, although the path has been a wonderful experience, it is also filled with life lessons and teachable moments.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a teen filmmaker, writer, and director! My most notable work is my very first short film, Self-Belief Symphony produced by Black Girls Film Camp. The film explores a young teen girl, stuck between two worlds, aiming to please her mother and yield to cultural expectations, or follow her own aspirations. Self-Belief Symphony follows a journey of seeking self-worth and emotional struggles the story deeply resonated with audiences who saw themselves reflected in the story.

Holistically, I specialize in telling stories that center on finding one’s identity, exploring social issues, and developing self-expression. My work is a blend of personal narrative with a spin of social commentary, using visual storytelling, and a beautiful score to spark conversation and reflection.

In my short films, I am known for creating genuine, emotionally driven, characters that reflect both the grace and complexity of youthful experiences.

What sets me apart from others is my amazing ability to merge multiple art forms—film, writing, and performance—into a storytelling style that exhibits my personal passions and amplifies my creativity.

At the heart of everything I do is a desire to create space for voices that are often overlooked or feel unheard to be represented on screen.

What makes you happy?
My family and friends make me happy. I think the most important possession in life is to find good people around you and keep them because they do not come around often. My family and friends have been my biggest supporters for every chapter of my life and have always shown me love and encouragement when I need it most. They are people that I do not take lightly in my life. I know without them, I would not be where I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azurisfilms?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@azurimae?si=644EzJOQswULOXbM