Los Angeles, CA – This year’s annual national conference, NALIP 2010: Navigating in a Sea of Change, brings together top industry speakers and visionaries to examine “what is working” for content creators in independent media.
NALIP expects over 500 established and emerging media professionals to participate in the weekend’s mix of discussions, panels, producing opportunities and networking events which begin with a keynote lunch conversation between CNN author Soledad O’Brien (Latino in America) and writer-producer Roberto Orci (Transformers, Mission Impossible 3). How Latinos are succeeding in creative positions and in representation throughout media, will be among the critical questions addressed throughout the conference.
Presented by HBO® and the National Latino Media Council, NALIP 2010 includes a second keynote conversation on Saturday, April 10, with Clint Culpepper, President of Screen Gems, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
While NALIP 2010 co-chairs Alexis Garcia (WME Global) and Peter Murrieta (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) have taken a multi-platform, cross-cultural approach to programming, insightful speakers, workshops and discussions around the issue of “what is really working now” in independent media, the question of Latino inclusion is always a theme of NALIP’s presentations. Co-chair Alexis Garcia states, “Diversity in media is still a problem. NALIP’s mission is to support the creation of more images by and about Latinos everywhere in media. We have made great strides towards this goal, with much more to accomplish on the horizon. As a community, we have a voice and will roll up our sleeves to create the success we envision for ourselves.”
The NALIP 2010 conference is one of six national signature professional development programs that NALIP produces in order to inspire the next generation of Latino executives, filmmakers, and future leaders. The conference is designed to provide members with a fresh approach to media making, and dynamic opportunities to make strategic alliances with seasoned content makers. NALIP is a vital tool and community support system for any Latino content creator looking to bring positive change, and to make a profound impact in the entertainment industry.
A sponsor of NALIP since its inception, HBO will again have a strong presence at this year’s conference with top-level executives Jennifer Sherwood, Vice President, HBO Films, Jocelyn Diaz, Vice President, HBO Entertainment, Greg Rhem, Director, HBO Documentary Films, and Felipe Tewes, Manager, HBO Film Programming, who will provide invaluable information during panel discussions like “It’s HBO!” and
NALIP 2010/2
“Breaking into the Industry.” “HBO has made great strides in setting itself apart with programs that illustrate the immense diversity within the U.S. culture,” said Lucinda Martinez-Desir, Vice President, Acquisition & Multicultural Marketing. “We’re again honored to have the opportunity to share our creative process and knowledge at NALIP.”
Esteemed academic and industry leaders, including Academy Award®, Emmy Award® and Golden Globe® winners and nominees, lead the rest of the weekend’s conference case studies, workshops and sessions. “As an organization, NALIP’s commitment to the Latino community is inspiring,” states co-chair Peter Murrieta. “Their unrivalled passion for creating positive images by and about Latinos permeates the status quo, and effects real and tangible change for filmmakers and content producers now and in the future.”
Concurrent to the conference and with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NALIP presents it sixth Latino Media Market™, an executive meeting series for 25 select producers of documentary, feature, and television works-in-progress. They will meet with representatives of companies like National Geographic, Latino Public Broadcasting, Alloy Media, Snag Films, Sundance Documentary Fund, Lifetime Television, State Street Pictures, Women Make Movies, Showtime Networks and the new Film Collaborative. Projects are seeking development and production funding, distribution, and broadcast licenses. SiTV will award a $2,500 prize plus a 4-month development option to the strongest non-scripted television series concept pitched at the Market.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
NALIP 2010: Navigating In a Sea Of Change is co-chaired by “Wizards of Waverly Place” executive producer Peter Murrieta and Alexis Garcia of WME Global, the finance and distribution member of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Speakers include the aforementioned HBO executives, Wayons Bros. producing partner Rick Alvarez and Cube Vision producer Matt Alvarez, president of Paradigm Consulting Peter Broderick, VP of business development and production planning at Entertainment Partners Joseph Chianese, VP of series development and current programming at Lifetime Lucia Cottone, SVP of original programming at Showtime Networks Pearlena Igbokwe, Fearwerx founder Joe Sena, CPB VP of diversity and innovation Joseph Tovares, SVP of diversity at the Disney-ABC Television Group Robert Mendez. A complete list of speakers is available at www.nalip.org/NALIP2010/
Thursday, April 8, 9:00 am – 6:30 pm prior to the conference opening, up to 200 Latino performer hopefuls will attend an open call for Latino talent. The dynamic Latino edition of Back Stage’s Actorfest Studio will be hosted at the NALIP annual conference as an open education and casting networking session for actors and actresses of color. It is a full day of engaging workshops, conversations, and networking opportunities with casting, acting, and auditioning professionals who will share their wisdom and tricks. Free to conference registrants; $20 fee if not attending the NALIP 2010 weekend.
On Friday, April 9, 8:30 pm NALIP will host a sneak peak screening of the imminent Sony Pictures Class release Mother and Child, written and directed by 2006 Estela winner Rodrigo Garcia, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Annette Bening and Naomi Watts. A Q&A will follow the screening with filmmaker Rodrigo Garcia, producer Julie Lynn, and actress Elpidia Carrillo, moderated by writer/director Alex Rivera (Sleep Dealer). The film opens in theatres, May 7, 2010.
NALIP 2010/3
NALIP 2010 concludes with a Gala dinner on Saturday evening, April 10, where NALIP honors media luminaries. This year’s honorees have broken barriers and made remarkable contributions that have changed that way in which Latinos are viewed in film and television. The evening will include host/entertainers Freestyle Love Supreme, who bring from New York their fusion of hip-hop, storytelling, song and improv. Celebrity presenters include Benjamin Bratt, Efren Ramirez, and Twilight director Chris Weitz. The event will close with a special performance by female mariachi band Las Colibri (The Hummingbirds).
NALIP’s 2010 honorees include comedian writer/producer Peter Murrieta, with an Outstanding Achievement Award for his Emmy Award®-winning television series “Wizards of Waverly Place,” and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, which was the most watched cable telecast in 2009. The Lifetime Achievement in Advocacy Award goes to NHMC president and Emmy Award® winning-producer Alex Nogales, the man widely credited with leading the charge to open doors for Latino writers, producers, directors and actors in television. The 2010 Lifetime Achievement award goes to Lupe Ontiveros, whose career has spanned over three decades in Hollywood and who has worked with numerous A-list talent. NALIP presents its second Corporate Commitment to Diversity Award to the Disney/ABC Television Group, for its efforts both in front of and behind the camera to bring more opportunity to Latinos.
Capping off the gala evening is the presentation of NALIP’s highly anticipated 2010 Estela Awards. These $7,500 cash grant prizes are endowed by the McDonald’s Corporation, and presented to two talented Latino filmmakers on the rise. The 2010 Estela for a narrative filmmaker goes to Peter Bratt, the critically acclaimed filmmaker whose most recent project is La Mission which will be released in theaters nationally this coming spring. Nicolas Entel, a multi-award winning documentarian, receives the Estela Award for his documentary work; his new project Sins of My Father premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, and will be broadcast on HBO. The McDonald’s financial contribution, together with NALIP’s recognition, supports each Estela winner’s next project, and their progress towards being a star.
WORKSHOP & NETWORKING HIGHLIGHTS
Pre-conference work sessions will be kicked off with NALIPs first “Business Boot Camp.” It is a 3-hour intensive with lawyers and CPA’s, financial strategists and advisors designed to help producers understand themselves as small business owners. The curriculum includes tips on accounting and legal structures, managing expenses and finding financial resources. A special presentation by the Sitrin Group from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s Marcus Sitrin and Suzana Santos on financial planning for the future will be another first at the NALIP conference.
Presenting sponsor HBO and co-hosts Heineken and Chivas will present an opening night welcome reception and a poolside beachfront networking party for Conference attendees. HBO will also announce the 2nd Annual HBO/NALIP Latino Filmmaker Documentary Competition that opens in April, with a winner announced in fall 2010. Winner will receive a $10,000 grant.
NALIP 2010/4
Other workshops include “The Art of the Short” with HBO’s Greg Rhem on how to create a calling card piece that attracts notice and funding in contests like HBO’s own NYLIFF Latino Short Film Competition. Attendees will be able to learn how to get that first dream job at the panel “Breaking into the Industry,” moderated by Warner Bros. creative executive Jairo Alvarado, with speakers from Paramount, Fox and ICM. There will be a “Pitch Me” session for attendees to try out their 1-2 minute stories and see if they excite a panel of funders, buyers, and producers. And two sessions for directors: one for narrative, one for documentary, to show and fine-tune their show reels and sample tapes into winning presentations.
Both Estela Award winners will do conversations about their projects and processes. Peter Bratt will give an intimate session with La Misma Luna writer/producer Ligiah Villalobos on Saturday, April 10. HBO Documentary Films’ Greg Rhem will lead “The Anatomy of a Doc” with Estela winner Nicolas Entel, using Sins of My Father to illuminate how to create a documentary that makes an impact with audiences and distributors like HBO.
The weekend closes with a plenary session on Sunday entitled “Inspirational Successes,” that looks at four filmmakers and the work they accomplished in 2009/2010: Lifetime movie director Betty Kaplan (One Hot Summer), internet series writer/producer/star Ruth Livier (“YLSE”), esteemed documentary maker Jesus Trevino (Visions of Aztlan), and independent feature filmmaker Nestor Miranda (Harlem Hostel).
To NALIP: How many of the ENTIRE membership of your organization are illegal aliens, including other latinos that you secretly support in one way or another? Come on now, be truthful! The FCC would probably like to know that answer, also!