[ FILMMAKER & PRODUCER & PHOTOGRAPHER ]
Karrar Al-Azzawi is an Iraqi filmmaker based in Norway and the co-founder of KAJ Film Production. An award-winning director and cinematographer, he holds a BFA in Film Directing from the Norwegian Film School. His films focus on untold stories that challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and create solidarity across borders.
His international debut, Baghdad on Fire, premiered at CPH:DOX 2023 and was screened at prestigious festivals, including the Atlanta Film Festival, DOK.fest München, Festival des Libertés, Big Sky, Slamdance, and Bergen International Film Festival. The film received multiple awards and nominations and was broadcast on Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, France TV, Al Araby TV, NRK, DRTV, and Aftenposten TV.
Al-Azzawi is currently working with The Iraqi Warriors (in development), Dreaming Souls (in development), and In My Mother's Heart (in early development).
A 5-year journey across many countries during the asylum process allowed him to experience and document life as a refugee from "behind the scenes". Raise awareness; is the main motivation behind his various successful photography exhibitions and film projects.
During his five years in the asylum process, he made the short film ’’Just Crumbs’’ (2016) and organized international photography exhibitions called “Forgotten”, in several European countries with the aim to raise awareness about the refugee situation around the world.
