“I help movies come to life”
“Hi, I'm Tzetzi Lazarov, Founder & Owner of Tzetzi Lazarov Studio
I’m an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to creating impactful stories for children and adolescents. My work has garnered national and international acclaim, resonating with audiences and press alike.
My latest project, The Cherry Tree, marks my directorial debut in animation—a heartfelt children’s short film celebrated globally for its storytelling and emotional resonance. The film was awarded Best Screenplay at ANIFEST A’Gjiro 2024, a prestigious ECFA and CIFEJ-affiliated festival. It also earned official selections at several leading ECFA member festivals, including MICE in Spain, the Bogotá Children’s Film Festival in Colombia, and the Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival in Finland.
As a writer, producer, and director, I craft animated films that don’t just entertain—they connect. My mission is to bring genuine emotion and real-life experiences to young audiences through the magic of animation. Awards are meaningful, but what truly drives me is winning hearts and minds—especially those of the children I create for.
I live by a simple creative truth:
“If the story isn’t life-altering, it’s not good enough.”
THE CHERRY TREE
An Emotional journey of Love, Friendship & Separation
A no-dialogue film made with 2D rotoscope animation
"It took me over 15 years to complete—driven by nothing but a belief that this story mattered. What I didn’t anticipate was the overwhelming response it would receive."
Read my story behind 'The Cherry Tree'
The Cherry Tree is a personal nine-minute animated film about love, friendship, and separation based on a true story.
It began in 2008 as a technical Rotoscopy experiment at the Dutch film academy, serving as my graduation assignment in the VFX discipline. At that time, I did not know how to animate. While the story took shape alongside the technical development, it was initially only used in the storyboard phase.
For nearly six months, I worked tirelessly to refine the storyboards, striving to craft a concise yet emotionally resonant narrative. This period was transformative, shaping me as a storyteller and artist. To bring my vision to life, I used Wacom Cintiq tablets—technology that was not yet available at the academy. It was a challenge, but also an opportunity to push creative and technical boundaries.
When it came time to animate, I faced a pivotal decision. Instead of producing the entire nine-minute film, I focused on a two-minute segment—one that would showcase my technical execution and be assessed for graduation. I chose Rotoscopy, a simple yet expressive technique of tracing live-action silhouettes that even a non-animator like me could use. Though this method had never been used at the academy for storytelling, I embraced it as a unique way to breathe life into my characters.
In 2010, the two-minute animation was completed and presented to the faculty. It was met with enthusiasm, earning me my diploma. Yet, deep inside, I knew my journey with The Cherry Tree was far from over. I longed to complete the film, but for years, I lacked the resources to do so.
Then, in 2024, after more than a decade of persistence, I finally brought The Cherry Tree to life. What I did not anticipate was the overwhelming response it would receive. The film became a resounding success at international film festivals, especially among young audiences.
In 2024, The Cherry Tree won 3 prestigious international awards—Best Direction, Best Screenplay, and Best Romantic Film. It was a four-time finalist, which has been screened at over 36 international film festivals until the date.
This journey, spanning over 15 years, has been one of resilience, creativity, and unwavering belief in a story that deserved to be told. The Cherry Tree is more than just a film; it is proof that passion and perseverance can turn a vision into reality.
Big budget films I was involved in
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Say hello. Let's work together.
Write to me if you'd like to chat about how you and I can bring ideas to life, together! I am also open for collaborations with studios and individuals who are interested in making children and family content for cinema and television.