DirectorCreative DirectorProducer

Lazo Yousif

A curious creative who dabbles in many corners of the creative industry, and specialises in two: creative direction and film & video direction.

Lazo Yousif
Lazo Yousif — Hewlêr

About me

Curious by nature.
Reliable by habit.

I've been taking things apart to see how they work since I was four. These days it's stories, brands and productions, and I still put them back together better.

I studied theatre directing, then learned everything else on set: TV stations, backstage, crews of every size. That's why I can step into almost any role a production needs, and why deadlines don't scare me.

Fifteen years in, I lead creative and production at Backbone Media Production. I'll tell you honestly what I think and what's possible. Then I'll get it done.

15+
Years in film, campaigns & media
5
Creative director roles since 2021
27
Films in the archive below

The machine

Go through Lazo’s archives.

LY-01 Broadcast & Look ConsolePGM 1 · 1080p · 24 FPS
01 · Program

Pick an input below to put it on air

Slate
Client
—
Role
—
Year
—
Ch
—

Nothing on air yet. Pick a project below, then play with the look.

02 · Transport
STANDBY--LAZO YOUSIF — READY
Volume080Drag the dial · arrows to fine-tune
03 · Look mixerBlend any channels · double-click a fader to reset it
Page 1/3Colour
01000
Mono
02000
Warm
03000
Cool
04000
Contr
05000
Sat
06000
Fade
07000
Grain
08000
Scan
09000
Vign
PresetsNow: Clean
04 · Pick a projectRows are categories · press a key to put it on air
ACreative Direction12 inputs
B1st AD & Producing11 inputs
CPassion4 inputs

Branding

Brands I’ve shaped.

Open Air Music Festival: DJ line-up campaign
Open Air Music FestivalDJ line-up campaignConcept & photo direction by me · design by Shalaw Majid
Recycler Design: Brand film, set design & campaign stills
Recycler DesignBrand film, set design & campaign stillsJewellery made from recycled paper, told as a cosy, handmade world
LOLLIS: Product films & stills
LOLLISProduct films & stillsThree spots, concept to screen in 35 hours

Career

Fifteen years, cut as an edit.

Every role I’ve had, laid out like a project timeline. Click a clip to read it.

TC
'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26BFA, Theatre Directing
V4Passion
V3Leading
V2Creative direction
V1Production & AD
A1Freelance
2026 – nowLeading

Backbone Media Production

Creative Director / Production Lead

Creative development and production strategy for commercial, branded and corporate work, from pitch to delivery, with crews and partners across Kurdistan and Iraq.

LanguagesKurdish (native) · English (fluent) · Arabic (working)
CamerasARRI and Sony cinema / mirrorless
EditPremiere Pro · Final Cut Pro
EducationBFA, Theatre Directing · Fine Arts Institute, 2015

What I do

01

Direction

Commercials, brand films and music videos, from treatment to final grade.

02

Creative Direction

Campaign ideas, visual identity, and leading the team that brings them to life.

03

Content Development & Production

Series, formats and social content, developed and produced end to end.

04

Event Art Direction & Management

The look, flow and coverage of events, from concept and staging to the people running them.