Diego Tinoco, Xolo Maridueña and more Latino Hollywood talent celebrate the National Association of Latino Independent Producers

Latino representation, media equity and inclusivity were just some themes encompassing the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) 25th Anniversary Media Summit, which took place last weekend in the heart of Hollywood, California. 

Since its founding in 1999, the NALIP organization has worked to create a thriving and supportive community of producers, performers, writers, directors, and industry professionals. NALIP supports upcoming and established artists and creatives by offering resources, connections, workshops, insights, and events designed to build on members’ success and, most importantly, advance Latino storytelling. 

This year, similar to others, the summit will showcase a series of panel discussions headlined by some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Xolo Maridueña, the latest DC Comics superhero, “Blue Beetle,” as well as Diego Tinoco, known for his role as Cesar Diaz in “On My Block,” Xochitl Gomez, the actress known for her role as America Chavez in “Doctor Strange," and Laura Patalano, who played the role of Esperanza Lopez in “This Fool,” among others. 

Many former and present members of the national organization have found outstanding success in Hollywood and internationally. NALIP’s executive director, Diana Luna, said she was proud of the growing number of Latinos who can call NALIP a home within the industry. 

“It is a pretty big organization; our reach is incredible, with outstanding creatives. Across our 25 years, we have had incredible talent and beautiful movies that have come out of the work and support we have provided,” she told CALÒ News on Friday. 

Luna was born and raised in Mexico City and before being named as NALIP’s executive director, she was also the director of LMU Extension at Loyola Marymount University, where she managed more than 160 job training certificate programs focusing on providing job placement for underserved populations and Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today (TFT), a non-profit organization to highlight and advance the careers of emerging Latino filmmakers and their projects. 

“I’m very humble because for me to be the leader, it means a lot. In the past, [NALIP] has had incredible leadership and now taking the responsibility is huge,” she said. “We are in the moment where the time is now because of the environment because the creativity that we have is so vast. Im very hopeful and optimistic.”

This year's media summit was titled “The Time is Now: Redefining Horizons” and had panels such as “Scaring Up Success at the Box Office,” which talked about the ways horror films consistently rank among the highest-earning genres each year in the box office. Panelists talked about the art of developing original horror narratives and storylines and Latinos' unique appeal to this genre.  

Another panel discussion was “Pathway to Representation: Preparing for Agents and Managers,” which featured Latino agents and managers who shared what it takes to secure representation. Attendees were also able to learn essential tools, strategies and career milestones to attract an agent or manager, something that can help them successfully navigate the television and film industries. 

Besides media and film trailblazers, the summit also featured civil rights agents and humanitarians such as Dolores Huerta, Edward James Olmos, Gloria Calderón Kellett and Diana Maria Riva as catalysts of change in the Latino community. They were part of the panel titled “Catalysts of Change: Honoring Legacies, Empowering Futures,” where they reflected on their careers and contributions to advocacy, arts and culture. They also shared their own transformative roles in shaping representation and empowerment and the importance of teaching this to the next generation of artists and changemakers. 

CALÓ News was able to talk to some of the big stars that walked through the red carpet.

When it comes to Latino representation, actors and producers agreed that there has been a significant shift in the roles that Latinos are playing or are cast for. Carolina Moreno, who is part of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series “Acapulco,” said although she has seen a shift in the roles Latinos are playing, she wants to see more stories that are authentic to the Latin American experience. “I think there has been a shift. There's still a lot of work to do. We still need to tell stories within our community that are authentic and dignified, but I do see an opportunity and doors open for [Latinos],” she told CALÒ News. 

Her colleague Mariana Da Silva, the multi-talented actress and writer of Brazilian and Mexican descent who wrote and directed “Ybor City,” the first bilingual play that was presented at The Actor’s Gang Theater, also agreed. 

“I do think there is a shift starting. I think we have a long way to go because we have years to make up,” Da Silva said. “I feel like through places like NALIP that gather us and help us to connect with each other, we are learning more about how to support each other's projects and things authentic to who we are as a culture.” 

One of the most acclaimed shows of the 2020's, "Gentefied," touched on themes like gentrification, immigration, art and culture. The Netflix series, which was executively produced by America Ferrera, followed three Mexican-American cousins in L.A. who try to save their immigrant grandfather and the family-owned taco shop. One of the main actors of the series talked to CALÓ News about the devastating decision to stop after two seasons.

“We had more juice to be squeezed out of that but everything happens for a reason,” actor J.J. Soria said. 

Soria also shared that choosing his role and saying yes to a project depends on whether his character is authentic and human. “I like characters that are flawed, that are human. I like characters that express their vulnerability but I also like a badass,” he told CALÓ News. 

NALIP membership bodies are part of a symbiotic relationship. By joining, members become part of a thriving community of creative professionals and commit to actively supporting each other and the goals of the greater organization.  

To learn more about the organization or to become a member, visit: https://www.nalip.org/