2025 Annual Awards Interviews: Brie Zepeda & Elijah Perry, Director and Editor of “La Bala”

Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive interview with director Brie Zepeda and editor Elijah Perry of La Bala, showcased as a guest film in the non-competitive section of IndieX Film Fest 2025 Annual Awards.

The screening marked the film’s California premiere, hosted at Regal LA Live in downtown Los Angeles.

Recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed), the conversation delves into the emotional and political layers behind this poignant drama short.

La Bala tells the story of a Mexican family living in Arizona, suddenly faced with imminent deportation. Refusing to be taken by U.S. Immigration authorities, they attempt to flee back to their homeland—but the road south is far more dangerous than they could have imagined. A powerful and timely narrative, La Bala highlights the human cost of immigration policies and the resilience of those forced into hard choices.

Brie Zepeda, a Latina filmmaker from Tucson, Arizona, holds a degree in Film Production from The University of Arizona and has been building her voice in Los Angeles ever since. She is committed to telling underrepresented stories and bringing marginalized experiences to the forefront of cinema. Working closely with editor Elijah Perry, known for his crisp, emotionally resonant pacing, the two create a visual journey that is as harrowing as it is intimate.

Watch the interview below to hear from Brie and Elijah about the making of La Bala, the importance of immigrant representation on screen, and the emotional toll and responsibility of telling such stories with truth and compassion.