Latino Creatives Make A Strong Case for Media Inclusion

at the 2017 Latino Media Fest

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers, known by NALIP, brings the Latino Media Fest, the unique presenter of the best U.S. Latino content across all media platforms: from narrative short films, TV/streaming pilots, digital content, virtual reality, augmented reality and documentary shorts. But what all these talented people have in common: they are all latinos! The 2017 NALIP Latino Media Fest is taking place at the AMC Century City 15 on September 26 and 27.

According to Benjamin ‘Ben’ López, Executive Director of NALIP, “this is the perfect opportunity to check shorts, Latin American content and Latinos here in Los Angeles in all media platforms. It’s not just to celebrate our culture but also to celebrate the seventh art.”

“They are so talented, the next generation of Latinos, they will be the next ‘Guillermos’ or ‘Cuarons’, they were raised here in the United States […] and we need to give them this opportunity,” said Ben during our phone interview last week.

One of the highlights of this first Latino Media fest is the Mexican filmmaker Jorge R. Gutiérrez. He will be taking part in NALIP’s Animation Master Class and will discuss the specifics of making animated features and the process of telling unique stories that are relatable to global audiences. Gutiérrez has worked on Book of Life (2014), the TV series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera and his upcoming short VR film, Son of Jaguar.

The awardees that were voted in the four award categories will be recognized for their work behind the camera. The film Beatriz at Dinner, from Puerto Rican director Miguel Arteta, which has Salma Hayek as protagonist, will receive the award for Best LatinX Film. The Best LatinX Filmmaker awarded to director, writer and editor José María Cabral, for his film Woodpeckers. The Best Latin American Film awarded to Lemon, received by Janicza Bravo, director and writer of the film. And the Best Latin American Filmmaker awarded to Mexican director and writer Amat Escalante, for his film The Untamed.

The festival also serves to introduce new Latinos talents to the industry, which there are just a few artists on the market. “There is a lack of representation of our people in the stories,” added Ben. “and they just don’t include us as lawyers or doctors. we always play either the housekeepers or the criminals.”

With more than 60 million people, the Latinos community represents the first United States minority. “We are here but they just don’t see us, somehow it’s like we are the invisible community,” concluded Ben.

The NALIP Latino Media Fest attracts Latino content creators, industry executives and media from around the globe for invaluable learning and networking opportunities. The first annual Latino Media Fest is presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo and additionally sponsored by FOX Inclusion, MPAA, Labo Digital, El Rey Network and venue sponsor AMC Independent.