"Wave of independents take action": Latino filmmakers gather to meet with industry leaders to discuss ways to make inroads in mainstream media

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April-May, 2005 by Emmy Gonzalez

Latino filmmakers had a shot to pitch their current projects at the sixth annual National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Conference entitled "Catch the Latino Wave" held in Huntington Beach, CA in March.

Aspiring producer, Melissa Montero came to the conference hoping to gain more in-depth knowledge of what it takes to get the green-light on her documentary.

"I've learned a lot of things for documentary filmmaking," says Montero. "Like my rights, clearances, and also the impact of social change documentaries."

Montero is looking to break into documentary films in an already divided industry.

"There's definitely a lack of representation of who we are because we are such complex people. We have so many types of Latinos; it's hard to just show some stereotypes, there needs to be a change."

Montero was one of six hundred filmmakers attending the Conference. The Conference marks a large growth in the nonprofit organization; in just six years they have increased the membership count to 700 members and the number of conference attendees rises every year.

The reason for NALIP's success is their mission to promote the advancement, development, and funding of Latino/Latina film and media arts in all genres. They are addressing the professional needs of Latino filmmakers and are committed to improving the access and opportunities for mid-career professionals. It has also created various signature programs, including a writer's lab, the Latino Producers Academy and the Latino Media Resource Guide, in addition to the annual conference to address the needs of their increasing membership.

This year the Conference added the Latino Media Market, a program designed for mid-career filmmakers to discuss their projects with industry representatives. The market is intended to have filmmakers meet with executives who can give green-light to projects.

Thirty-three projects in all were selected in the categories of features, documentaries, direct-to-DVD and unscripted TV programs, with a few deals made by the end of the conference. NALIP Board Member and Conference Co-Chair Bienvenida Matias says that the Latino Media Market is a significant program to have for Latinos.

"Decision makers in Hollywood need to know who's out there doing work and the problem for Latinos is to be able to meet with those decision makers," says Matias. "It cuts the red tape for those who qualify."

Many top producers and directors come to NALIP's conference for fresh innovative ideas young filmmakers have to offer. "Industry people come because they know they will be connected to good projects and good filmmaking," says Matias. For many filmmakers NALIP is their ticket into finding work in the world of entertainment.