The Challenge

In the aftermath of the devastating 2020 Artsakh War, FCN was on the ground in Armenia—responding quickly to the needs of displaced children, families, and refugees. Their mission was urgent, vast, and emotionally charged. But telling that story—clearly, beautifully, and powerfully—required a team who could match the depth of the work with meaningful storytelling. That’s where Zurna Creative came in.

FCN took Zurna to Armenia with one goal: capture the heart of the mission through the eyes of those most impacted. The task? Document humanitarian aid deliveries in remote villages, showcase the support for refugee families, and make the invisible—visible.

Telling Survival Stories through Lens and Heart

Capturing Compassion...

Campaign Outline

Zurna Creative approached this not just as a documentation project, but as a humanitarian responsibility. Armen, the leading filmmaker, went with FCN workers across remote locations, capturing powerful, unfiltered moments with children, families, and aid workers. Through long travel days, harsh winter conditions, and emotional interviews, he and his local team kept their focus: honor the dignity of those served while telling a story that would move hearts back home.

Each video was crafted with a narrative arc—combining vérité-style footage with poetic voiceovers and music, designed not just to inform, but to inspire. Zurna also captured a wide range of striking photography, bringing faces and emotion to FCN’s website and social platforms.

The Impact

The result was a series of deeply human, visually arresting videos that FCN screened for donors and supporters in Los Angeles. The stories helped bridge the distance between action and awareness, reminding donors that their impact was real, direct, and urgent. The photos and videos became cornerstone assets in FCN’s communication efforts, powering campaigns that raised further support for refugee resettlement, nutrition, and education.

Visual Style

Shot with care and cinematic restraint, Angels of Artsakh uses natural light, soft color grading, and intimate framing to create a raw yet reverent tone. The video’s slow pacing and elegant transitions allow real people and real places to take center stage—capturing both the emotional weight and the quiet resilience behind FCN’s humanitarian work. Every frame feels personal, grounded, and beautifully human..

Call to Action Videos

The result of this collaborative work were six Call to Action videos, three of which were shot and produced in Los Angeles and the other three made in Armenia. These videos brought the significant work of the FCN volunteers to light and invited the Armenians around the world to spend less of their time on hot but divisive political arguments and more of it on really focusing on children in Armenia.

Editorial Photography

From remote villages in Tavush to bustling relief centers in Yerevan all the way to foundraisers in Los Angeles, Zurna Creative's photography for FCN didn’t just document moments—it told powerful stories. Good photos are a vessel for empathy, helping supporters around the world connect with the urgency of FCN’s mission. Posted on social media or embedded within the website, these visuals played a vital role in drawing attention, driving engagement, and inspiring action—proving once again that sometimes, a single photo can say more than a thousand words.

Inspiration

What began as a client project quickly became something much deeper for the Zurna Creative team. Witnessing FCN’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding lives in the aftermath of war left a lasting mark—not just professionally, but personally.

Inspired by the sheer depth of compassion and impact they saw on the ground, members of the Zurna team have since volunteered their time and creative skills to support FCN whenever possible.

This journey also gave rise to "A Road Trip Through the Storm", a feature-length documentary co-produced with our sister company High Gadfly, exploring war, displacement, and the generational resilience of the Armenian people. Sometimes, the stories we tell end up changing us—and this was one of those times.

The Future

Zurna remains committed to standing beside FCN and the children they serve—not just in Armenia, but anywhere else, the stories of hope deserve to be heard. And we’re already planning new projects that will continue to shine a light on the invisible heroes working behind the scenes to change lives.

Thank you for showing the true essence of our work.

Karine Aboulian