Meet Alex Papazyan | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Papazyan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, what do you attribute your success to?
Without a doubt, the most important factor behind my success has been trusting my instincts — even when the path didn’t make complete sense at the time. Whether it was leaving Bulgaria to study in the UK, or later deciding to move to Los Angeles and shift my focus entirely toward cinematography, every big step came from listening to that inner voice.

Equally important has been embracing change. As an artist, you evolve — your taste changes, your influences shift, your identity deepens. I didn’t resist that evolution; I leaned into it, even when it was uncomfortable. That openness allowed me to grow into the kind of filmmaker I was meant to be, not the one I thought I had to be at 20.

Also, collaboration has played a huge role. I’ve been lucky to work with people who truly trusted me, and that kind of mutual respect brings out the best in my work. When someone believes in you, you rise to meet that belief — and that’s something I try to give back on every set.

In short, following my gut, staying open to growth, and building real, human connections have been the biggest drivers of everything I’ve achieved so far.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is rooted in feeling. I’m a Director of Photography, and my goal is always to translate emotion into visuals — to make the audience feel something without needing to explain it. I’ve learned that a camera isn’t just a tool — it’s a language. Through light, composition, and movement, I try to tell stories that are honest, grounded, and emotionally textured.

What sets me apart is that I come from a writing and directing background. So even when I’m behind the camera, I think like a storyteller. I don’t just care about making something look “good.” I care about whether the image is honest, whether it belongs in that moment, and whether it pushes the story forward. I also carry with me a certain emotional lens from growing up in Bulgaria — there’s a quiet weight and beauty to that environment that’s deeply influenced my visual style.

One of the things I’m most proud of recently is a film I shot called Natasha. It was the kind of project where everything aligned — the story, the director, the creative trust. It made me feel like a real artist. And it reminded me that I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to be doing.

But getting here hasn’t been easy. I moved countries twice — first from Bulgaria to the UK, then from the UK to Los Angeles. Each step came with doubt, fear, and the feeling of starting from zero. I used to be afraid of the camera department. I thought lighting and tech were for someone else — someone smarter, someone more technical. But when I got to LA, something in me changed. I embraced what I used to fear, and I found the part of me I’d been hiding. That’s when everything started to make sense.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: you find your voice after film school. You become who you are through real-world experience, by failing, evolving, and being willing to let go of who you thought you had to be. And once you stop trying to prove something and just focus on telling the truth — visually, emotionally, artistically — the work becomes a lot more fulfilling.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about me or my work, it’s that I’m always trying to stay honest — to myself, to the story, to the image. I’m not interested in trends or surface-level beauty. I’m interested in finding the emotional core of a scene and bringing it to life in the most honest way I can.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my recent discoveries is Villas Tacos near Highland Park — honestly, some of the best tacos I’ve ever had. I’d definitely take any friend visiting LA there. The flavors are incredible, and it’s just one of those spots that feels authentic and unforgettable.

When it comes to restaurants, I think Jones in West Hollywood is a must. It’s always packed, but in a good way — great food, great people, and the vibe inside is warm and cozy. It’s one of those places that feels like a true LA staple.

I also have a soft spot for any bar that serves a good local draft beer. A place like Finney’s, for example — relaxed, casual, and they highlight a lot of California breweries. I still believe European beer is the best overall, but California’s craft scene deserves way more credit than it gets. Some of the local brews here are truly top tier.

For me, it’s less about ticking off tourist spots and more about good food, chill energy, and discovering places that make LA feel personal. That’s the kind of experience I’d want to share.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without hesitation, my biggest shoutout goes to my mom. She’s been the foundation of everything — the reason I’ve had the courage to pursue a life in film across countries and continents.

Growing up in Bulgaria, she supported me long before I ever had a camera in my hands. I wasn’t a photographer or a filmmaker yet, but she made it all feel possible. She used to say, “If you’re meant to hold a camera, the camera will find you.” That kind of belief, especially coming from someone outside the industry, meant everything. She always encouraged me to chase what felt right — even when that meant leaving home, moving to the UK, and eventually starting over again in Los Angeles.

There were moments of doubt, moments I questioned the path I was on — but she reminded me it’s better to try and fail than to never try at all. She never pressured me to follow a “safe” path. Instead, she trusted that I would figure things out, and that gave me the strength to do exactly that.

Every time I struggle in this industry, I think about her — how much she overcame at my age, and how she did it without ever giving up. Her resilience, her support, and her unconditional belief in me are the reason I’m here today. So this shoutout is for her — the quiet hero behind every decision I’ve made.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlevonp/

Image Credits
Anton Sinitsyn, Catherine Frawley , Allen Rivas