Meet Lety Vargas | Filmmaker & Writer

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

Hi Lety, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Habits that have helped me succeed have been being consistent and persistent. Whenever I experience setbacks, I see them as small obstacles in my path, and not as obstacles that will stop me from achieving my goals. I make sure I keep my goals at the forefront of everything I do and actively take steps to achieve them. I self-reflect a lot. I reflect on experiences I’ve had and how I can do better next time, and in this way, I can continue to grow personally and professionally. I practice my listening skills. For every person that I meet, I try to be the best listener I can be, so that people feel heard and understood. I also ask questions and seek guidance from peers, mentors, or other people when I am unsure about my next steps in life or how to reach my goals.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am most proud of the fact that I’ve stayed true to my voice throughout the years I have worked to be the best filmmaker and writer I can be. As a first-generation Mexican-American, I’ve rarely seen Latino families’ emotional realities reflected on screen. With my work, I aim to tell working-class stories with honesty and empathy. I approach storytelling by showing small moments that carry emotional weight. For example, a meal shared between family members after a long day or two people having a conversation at their working-class job.

My path has been difficult both financially and personally. I’ve had to manage my mental health while being the first in my family to pursue higher education. Sometimes, choosing film as a career has felt impossible, especially when finances were involved. I’ve had to take small breaks to earn money to keep going, but I’ve persisted by taking every day step by step. I attended community college, transferred to a university, and eventually completed two higher education degrees that helped me immensely grow as a filmmaker and writer. I now feel I have the necessary tools to continue forward.

Lessons I’ve learned are that resilience and dedication matter more than the speed you complete things. Life is a journey, and if you have a goal, you can reach it even when it takes longer than someone else with more resources. Success doesn’t have to happen overnight. Taking a slower path has helped me develop a deep connection and understanding of the stories I wish to tell.

I want the world to know that my work comes from a place of empathy and understanding. I am trying to focus on potential story gaps in media, especially for BIPOC, and see how I can tell stories that feel fresh, new, and show that BIPOC lives are worth seeing. I hope people walk away from my films and writing feeling recognized or a little less alone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friend was visiting the area, I would take them to The Getty, LACMA, and the Broad. I love museums and I know my friend would love them too. I would take my friend to Santa Monica Beach, and if we had a car, we would drive along the Pacific Coast Highway and look at the scenery. We would watch films at independent movie theaters like Brain Dead Studios. I would also take my friend to many coffee shops around the city to drink lattes or matcha. One of the first places I would take them to eat would be to Grand Central Market. I would ask my friend about what they’re interested in seeing and visit places based on their interests as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The people that deserve credit and recognition in my story are my two sisters. They have supported me in every decision I have ever made. Even though they are several years younger than me, they give me advice and suggestions when I have concerns or questions. When I need a shoulder to lean on, they are there for me, and I know I can always count on them.

Instagram: vargasletea