This week we’re talking with two outstanding filmmakers from this year’s 2025 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival.

Lyla Mzayek discusses her film, The Rain Lady, a beautiful love letter to immigrant mothers. Lyla talks about her approach to the project, her courage to make it, and how it became a family affair.

We also interviewed Faranak Sahafian from Iran. From poet to filmmaker, her short film Kisses and Bullets perfectly captures the urgency of the moment and the importance of love in the face of hate.

Both Lyla and Faranak also partake in a Gimme Three segment, where they each share three film recommendations!

Join us at LADFF 2025, where you can see both of these amazing films.

Tickets are on sale now at LADFF.com

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Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.