
Directing
Apo W. Bazidi
Known for
Directing
Credits
15 titles
Apo W. Bazidi is an award-winning filmmaker and the founder of Burn A Light Studios, a social impact production company based in San Francisco. Apo was born in Eastern Turkey to Kurdish parents. He grew up amid the social injustices and inequality that beset his community. These experiences drove his desire to become a storyteller so he could shed light on these important issues. After high school, he immigrated to the United States and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Television Production from the University of Southern California in 2011. Apo's films are primarily concerned with social issues and the importance of global cultural interactions. His first feature film,…
Known for
NRIn a fractured America, a biracial woman journeys between her White conservative roots and her Black ancestral past, confronting the cost of identity in a nation built on division.
The Unrooted Bloom
2026
5.8Eight-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of Kobane's resistance against ISIS forces through her experience in a refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Resistance Is Life
2017
NRAt the age of 63, retired food-service worker Ruth Brinker became a pioneer of HIV care in her community and would become a legend among San Franciscans. The AIDS epidemic hit San Francisco the hardest and created a wave of fear and uncertainty that left many victims feeling hopeless and alone. Brinker, a woman whose deep compassion became a source of strength for others struggling to cope with the times, began cooking meals in her kitchen to deliver to her neighbors who were too ill to take care of themselves. Her goal was to not only provide meals but to also revitalize the city's sense of community and spend time with HIV/AIDS patients to end the isolation they experienced.
The Ruth Brinker Story
2022
NRA poetic journey through Kira's seventh birthday, where memories of loss are softened by the unwavering hope and companionship of her loyal dog, Curly Joe.
Curly Joe, Two Kittens, Four Boxes, and the Scent of Fire
2025
NRIn the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, expressive arts gives hope, meaning and self-expression to children’s lives.
Ambassadors of Hope
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NRA documentary that follows the journey of students in partnership with the Presidio Bay Ventures Real Estate Development Scholarship Program.
Developing Our Future
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Behind the camera
NRIn a fractured America, a biracial woman journeys between her White conservative roots and her Black ancestral past, confronting the cost of identity in a nation built on division.
The Unrooted Bloom
2026
5.8Eight-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of Kobane's resistance against ISIS forces through her experience in a refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Resistance Is Life
2017
5.8Eight-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of Kobane's resistance against ISIS forces through her experience in a refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Resistance Is Life
2017
5.8Eight-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of Kobane's resistance against ISIS forces through her experience in a refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Resistance Is Life
2017
NRAt the age of 63, retired food-service worker Ruth Brinker became a pioneer of HIV care in her community and would become a legend among San Franciscans. The AIDS epidemic hit San Francisco the hardest and created a wave of fear and uncertainty that left many victims feeling hopeless and alone. Brinker, a woman whose deep compassion became a source of strength for others struggling to cope with the times, began cooking meals in her kitchen to deliver to her neighbors who were too ill to take care of themselves. Her goal was to not only provide meals but to also revitalize the city's sense of community and spend time with HIV/AIDS patients to end the isolation they experienced.
The Ruth Brinker Story
2022
NRAt the age of 63, retired food-service worker Ruth Brinker became a pioneer of HIV care in her community and would become a legend among San Franciscans. The AIDS epidemic hit San Francisco the hardest and created a wave of fear and uncertainty that left many victims feeling hopeless and alone. Brinker, a woman whose deep compassion became a source of strength for others struggling to cope with the times, began cooking meals in her kitchen to deliver to her neighbors who were too ill to take care of themselves. Her goal was to not only provide meals but to also revitalize the city's sense of community and spend time with HIV/AIDS patients to end the isolation they experienced.
The Ruth Brinker Story
2022
NRAt the age of 63, retired food-service worker Ruth Brinker became a pioneer of HIV care in her community and would become a legend among San Franciscans. The AIDS epidemic hit San Francisco the hardest and created a wave of fear and uncertainty that left many victims feeling hopeless and alone. Brinker, a woman whose deep compassion became a source of strength for others struggling to cope with the times, began cooking meals in her kitchen to deliver to her neighbors who were too ill to take care of themselves. Her goal was to not only provide meals but to also revitalize the city's sense of community and spend time with HIV/AIDS patients to end the isolation they experienced.
The Ruth Brinker Story
2022
NRA poetic journey through Kira's seventh birthday, where memories of loss are softened by the unwavering hope and companionship of her loyal dog, Curly Joe.
Curly Joe, Two Kittens, Four Boxes, and the Scent of Fire
2025
NRIn the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, expressive arts gives hope, meaning and self-expression to children’s lives.
Ambassadors of Hope
—
NRIn the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, expressive arts gives hope, meaning and self-expression to children’s lives.
Ambassadors of Hope
—
NRA documentary that follows the journey of students in partnership with the Presidio Bay Ventures Real Estate Development Scholarship Program.
Developing Our Future
—
NRAhmed and Ruba, two Iraqi siblings who lost their parents after fleeing Syria, pursue their education in an all immigrant school in Cleveland, Ohio. Ahmed's goal is to become an x-ray technician to help others, and he works as a busboy to support himself. Ruba shares their tragic background through her creative writings. Together, they find solace by performing in public theatre. While they struggle to pursue their dreams, current immigration policies weigh heavy on their minds.
How Far Is Home
2020
NRAhmed and Ruba, two Iraqi siblings who lost their parents after fleeing Syria, pursue their education in an all immigrant school in Cleveland, Ohio. Ahmed's goal is to become an x-ray technician to help others, and he works as a busboy to support himself. Ruba shares their tragic background through her creative writings. Together, they find solace by performing in public theatre. While they struggle to pursue their dreams, current immigration policies weigh heavy on their minds.
How Far Is Home
2020
NRAhmed and Ruba, two Iraqi siblings who lost their parents after fleeing Syria, pursue their education in an all immigrant school in Cleveland, Ohio. Ahmed's goal is to become an x-ray technician to help others, and he works as a busboy to support himself. Ruba shares their tragic background through her creative writings. Together, they find solace by performing in public theatre. While they struggle to pursue their dreams, current immigration policies weigh heavy on their minds.
How Far Is Home
2020
NRBurn a Light Productions joins Harambee Arts in Nepal to capture the inspiring journey of survivors, told by Sashi, one of the many brave women reclaiming their voice and future through the healing power of art.
Speaking With Colors
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