Azomali Obsakin

filmmaker / podcaster

BIOGRAPHY

My name is Azomali, which means "Peace" in Nahuatl.

I’m involved in many activities that bring me joy—soccer, violin, gymnastics, dance, and pageants representing Minnesota. I also love to travel, whether it’s by car across the United States or to countries around the world. Some of the places I’ve been fortunate to visit include Nigeria, Mexico, Canada, Spain, and Benin.

I’ve been an artist with In Progress since 2020. During that time, I’ve learned so much—like how to introduce others to In Progress, edit advanced video and photo projects. In 2025, I am now learning the art of podcasting. I especially enjoy making movies because I want to inspire people to be kind and show compassion to others.

I’m excited to continue growing through my new internship with In Progress, working in both Crookston and Saint Paul, and exploring new forms of art along the way.

AWARDS

  • 2022 Finalist My Hero International Film Festival

  • 2021 Winner My Hero International Film Festival

Qualifications

  • video camera operation;

  • interviewing skills;

  • story writing;

  • editing.

Press Articles

CONTACT

Artist Statement

When I was little, I wanted to start a YouTube channel. Then one day, my mom found In Progress on Facebook and thought it might be a good fit for me. I was seven years old. It was 2020, and I just kind of showed up. I got into filmmaking by attending a workshop for young storytellers. I remember feeling really nervous—there were so many people with big ideas, and I had no clue what kind of story I wanted to tell. But before I knew it, my instructors had me writing, and that’s how my first movie began.

I love making films because they have the power to inspire others. It’s also fun to collaborate with people who share similar ideas and passions.

The stories I tell in my films come from my own life experiences. My first movie was about love. I remember one night I couldn’t sleep, so my mom let me stay up and watch TV with her. At that time, George Floyd had just been murdered, and there were protests and riots happening in the streets. People were shouting words filled with both love and hate—it was chaotic and hard to watch. In that moment, the peaceful world I had known seemed to disappear. I made that first video to remind people that love is the most powerful emotion we have, and it can help heal even the deepest wounds.

My second film, Racism Must Stop, was inspired by my own experience with racism at school. It hurt, and the way the adults responded made it worse. That experience got me thinking about what we, as a community, need to do to bring racism to an end.

I hope that anyone who watches my film feels inspired to take their own first steps in challenging racism. If we all recognize the power we have to reshape the world, we can put an end to hurtful and cruel behavior. Making films helps me speak up and speak out about the changes I believe are necessary. When people fight for us—and with us—it makes us stronger. When we feel empathy for what others, especially children, are going through, we begin to change. I believe deeply that racism must stop, and my movie is my first step toward making that happen.

Portfolio samples

Racism Must Stop © 2022: Finalist / My Hero International Film Festival

Love Can Heal Us All © 2020: Winner / My Hero International Film Festival