NALIP’s Annual Conference Santa Monica, Ca. April 9 – 11
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) today announced its Eleventh Annual NALIP Conference, co-chaired by “Wizards of Waverly Place” executive producer Peter Murrieta, agent with WME Global, the finance and distribution group of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, Alexis Garcia, and filmmaker Margarita de la Vega-Hurtado. The Conference, presented by HBO and the National Latino Media Council, will be held April 9 – 11 in Santa Monica, California with a special Latino edition of Backstage’s Actorfest on April 8. Online registration is available now at www.nalip.org/nalip2010.
Hollywood is on the precipice of a new era: conquering the entertainment industry is tougher than ever, yet getting your content viewed by the masses has never been easier. NALIP 2010 will showcase what is actually working right now for writers, directors, producers and performers. “The barriers to entry level production are almost non-existent,” states co-chair Alexis Garcia. “The challenge to becoming commercially successful, however, is being able to tailor the story you want to tell and match your aspirations with what the consumer wants to see and is willing to pay for at the box-office. NALIP 2010 highlights these opportunities for our members.” As the main media organization for the United States’ largest ethnic minority, NALIP provides members and non-members alike an opportunity to learn about funding directions, and to discuss new models of production and distribution in a rapidly changing environment.
Latinos comprise less than 1% of executives in Hollywood; the percentage of minority industry writers in film and television has been frozen at 6% since 1999, and the percentage of directors is lower still; on public television in the last two years, under 19% of their programs featured minorities, any minorities, down from 25% ten years ago; and less than 7% of minority programming is seen in prime time. NALIP serves as a hub for the development of untold stories and fresh approaches to media production, both locally and globally. “The NALIP conference provides both new and seasoned content providers with opportunities, insider knowledge and tools for success, while cultivating and inspiring ingenuity. Creating content you are passionate about and that appeals to a broad audience takes just the right mixture of timing, talent and determination. NALIP is a compass and guide through the unknown,” states co-chair Peter Murrieta. For the eleventh year in a row, NALIP answers the call by remaining the premiere resource for Latinos in the entertainment industry and provides tools that are essential to making it in Hollywood.
NALIP will bring in heavy hitters like CNN’s Soledad O’Brien to give a keynote speech and Q&A with attendees. Additionally, NALIP 2010 will recognize Latino media luminaries for their exemplary contribution to the entertainment industry in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement for Advocacy goes to NHMC Chair and longtime media activist Alex Nogales; and Outstanding Achievement Awards go to Emmy- award winning producer Peter Murrieta and new 2009 talk show host and star George Lopez. In addition, NALIP recognizes the Disney/ABC Television group for their dedication to diversity and commitment to Latino media. Two “rising star” filmmakers will be awarded the $7,500 Estela Award grants, endowed by the McDonald’s corporation.
The Conference will include a special “Actor’s Studio” as its third Latino edition of Backstage’s Actorfest, the sixth annual Latino Media Market, and premiere content-making visionaries to help attendees navigate the many options and opportunities in a challenging time. The program is organized as three days of workshops and plenaries on film, television and documentaries, plus ground-breaking case studies. These include “There Will be Sangre” about the business of Latin horror, featuring Rue Morgue founder Rodrigo Gudiño, and Fearwerx’s Joe Sena; a special “Going Solo” small business owner’s bootcamp; story development workshops with Josefina Lopez (REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES), Ligiah Villalobos (LA MISMA LUNA) and Harrison Reiner (AMAR A MORIR); pitch and director reel evaluations for features and documentaries; and case studies of “Wizards of Waverly Place,” a sneak preview screening, and indie success stories like Nicolas Entel’s SINS OF MY FATHER, premiering at Sundance. Executives from HBO, Time Warner, Sony, ABC/Disney, PBS, CBS, Fox, Showtime, SAG, WGA, CNN and many others are scheduled to attend and participate. For a list of speakers, panels and keynotes please visit www.nalip.org/nalip2010 .
NALIP was founded in 1999 to address the vital need for equitable Latino representation across all entertainment mediums. For eleven years, the only annual gathering of the national Latino media field has been the NALIP conference. “The NALIP 2010 conference is organized as a creative and business event for Latino filmmakers, and for those interested in Latino content,” states NALIP Executive Director Kathryn Galan. “As we look at all the changes in media making, distribution, marketing and creation right now, this dynamic and inspiring weekend will include plenty of professional development and networking opportunities, along with the opportunity to hear top-level speakers analyze trends of relevance to us all.”
About NALIP:
Founded in 1999 by a group of Latino producers, educators and media activists, NALIP is a national organization of industry, independent and community media makers – directors and producers, writers, performers and advocates — dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of images by, for and about Latinos in the media. NALIP’s mission is to promote the advancement, development and funding of Latino and Latina film and media arts in all genres. NALIP is committed to improving access and opportunities for Latina/os at all points in the media production pipeline, including the training of our next generation of media makers, and the support of emerging and mid-career professionals.
