Showcase of U.S. based Latinx content to be hosted October 2019 in Century City for content creators, industry professionals, and media supporters.

Los Angeles, CA – On on the most anticipated events of the year is once again brought to you by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) will host their annual Latino Media Fest presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, from October 2-4, 2019 at the AMC Century City 15. This three-day showcase of U.S.-based Latinx content and filmmakers will feature nine narrative shorts across two programs. 

“NALIP’s work on the ground-level, as well as its role as an industry partner, has successfully implemented programs and resources with the purpose of increasing inclusion and three-dimensional, authentic portrayals of this community,” says Benjamin Lopez, Executive Director of NALIP. “There is a well of untapped Latino talent in this industry that we are working to bring to the forefront, and our programs exist for that exact purpose.”

The Latino Media Fest works to advance the state of representation in the entertainment industry by featuring various speakers, workshops, panels, mixers, and an award ceremony highlighting Latinx excellence in the United States.

NALIP recently co-presented a new study with USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which highlights the lack of equal representation with 4% of 1,200 top-grossing films from 2018 were directed by Latinx. 

Latino Media Fest sessions include:

  • How to Package, How to Produce: Sandra Condito (SVP of Production & Development | Sony Pictures International Productions)
  • PARENT in HOLLYWOOD: Balancing the Best of Both Worlds (Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo): SJ Main Muñoz (Director | Tica Productions), Michael Perri (Writer | The Blacklist, State of Affairs, Teresa)
  • Party of Five (Presented by SONY): Michal Zebede (Co-Executive Producer, Writer | Party of Five)
  • Emerging Content Creators Workshop (Presented by Warner Bros.): Danny Fernandez (Writer | Love, Simon: The Series; Grand Hotel); Tania Lotia (Writer | Swamp Thing, The Dark Tower); Grasie Mercedes (Actress + TV Writer | Perfect Harmony)

To conclude the second day of programming, NALIP will honor the following awardees (more awardees to be announced soon):

  • Best Latin American Filmmaker: Issa Lopez (Writer, Director) – Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017), Todo Mal (2018)
  • Best Latinx Film: Ben DeJesus (Director, Co-Founder of NGL Studios) – John Leguizamo’s Road to Broadway (2018), Raúl Júlia: The World’s a Stage (2019)
  • Excellence in Entertainment Journalism: Carlos Aguilar (Film Critic/Journalist) – TheWrap, REMEZCLA
  • Best Latinx TV Show: Gloria Calderon Kellett (Writer/Actress) – One Day at a Time (Season 3)

NALIP serves the needs of diverse content creators including, producers, performers, writers, directors, and industry professionals with the tools and mentorship they need to advance in their careers within the entertainment industry.