Where storytelling and art kindle embers of change.

“Av Zaj Lus” = (The soil’s story)

pronounced Ah Zah Lu

mission:

Rooted in the power of Zaj Lus—the story—Azalu House exists to reclaim, craft, and amplify stories that spark social change. Through a fusion of art, ancestral memory, narrative strategy, impact planning, media production, and cultural events, we help communities shape their own stories, sparking new fires of belonging, resistance, and change.

Zaj Lus (story) as strength and spirit

Art as resistance

Activation for collective power

Lore weaving with threads of ancestral memory

Unearthing the Understory

Azalu House is a media social enterprise and cultural studio where stories aren’t just told—they’re activated.

Rooted in ancestral memory and narrative justice, we feed fires that illuminate what has been missed, forgotten, or erased—and ignite new paths forward.

Through a fusion of storytelling, art, and strategy, we offer video production, photography, media consultation, educational services, and social impact planning.

At our core, we’re building a thriving ecosystem of storytellers, particularly those from historically underrepresented and misrepresented communities, and a robust community of social impact making through stories.

“Stories are a communal currency of humanity.”

- Tahir Shah

What we do:   

  • Media Production

    We produce films and other media with the lens of social impact. We prioritize stories and voices from historically under- and mis-represented communities.

  • Production Parternship & Education

    We work to build a diverse, robust and thriving community of storytellers. We team up with filmmakers to provide production support, mentorship, guidance and more. We offer on-the-job learning and other educational services.

  • Community Impact

    We bridge the gap between powerful films and social movements, using compelling stories to further the work of social change.

    We partner with nonprofits and grassroots groups, connecting them with media and mediamakers. We provide programming support like customized screening blocks and media trainings for their staff and community members.

  • Impact Planning

    We create and support impact campaigns, using films as an educational and inciting tool for social discourse. We support in developing educational toolkits to be provided alongside films. We support in strategizing for positive impact.