036 - Merced Elizondo: Telling Stories, Filming With Feeling & Finding the Universal in the Personal
Filmmaker Merced Elizondo grew up in Oak Cliff surrounded by blue-collar grit, a Mexican-American household, and a love for storytelling—long before he knew that filmmaking could be his path. In this episode, he shares early doubts, a pivotal college internship, and how his father’s temporary paralysis inspired his acclaimed short Manos de Oro. We dive into his punk rock approach to filmmaking, his love for old cinema, and the emotional weight behind his Oscar-eligible short The Mourning Of. Plus, Merced previews his upcoming feature, The Thing About Elephants, and explains why he’s committed to making movies—and building a creative community—right here in Oak Cliff.
Behind the Scenes with merced
