The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) came to a close on the third day of bringing together some of Hollywood’s top content creators and executives to address the issues of Latinos in entertainment, and with it a big announcement.
Early today NALIP announced the Latino Lens: Producers Pipeline Incubator which will be presented by NALIP and its founding sponsor, The Walt Disney Company, as well as the Motion Picture Association, Amblin Partners, and STARZ. The ground-breaking industry-wide incubator aims to mold and cultivate the next generation of executive producers – Latinos.
“It is important for our production companies to give access to diverse producers,” said Latondra Newton, Chief Diversity Officer, The Walt Disney Company NALIP has proven to be a great source of talent and we hope to tap into their network and open more doors for the next Kathleen Kennedys and Lin-Manuel Mirandas.”
This incubator will train and expose individuals to the motion picture & television business divisions, distribution, provide opportunities to accelerate fresh inclusive perspectives, and learn the process of a Producer’s overall deal. This is a major step toward the old adage that Latinos are needed in the “greenlight” position to be able to get their project made.
“We’ve long been impressed with the opportunities that NALIP creates for talented young Latino producers, and we are honored to support the inaugural Producers Pipeline Incubator,” said Victoria Alonso , EVP Production, Marvel Studios. “Through this program, we look forward to introducing this exceptional group to our work at Amblin and sharing insights into producing film and television in an unprecedented period of change for the entertainment business.”
The stats of the power of the Latino consumer market are glaring. With 58.9 million Latinos across the nation that generate $2.6 trillion in GDP a year and an audience that brings in 20% of the box office, it is unfathomable that it has taken so long to get the attention of Hollywood. NALIP is an organization that has been working behind the scenes for over 20 years to bring the lack of Latinx executives into the conversation as it relates to the financial growth and future of this business. This incubator will also integrate forecasting in the technology sectors and platforms transforming the creation and distribution of content.
The pilot program will accept up to 12 participants in its first year to undergo an eight-week curriculum and mentorship program, which will be led by a cohort of successful producers with overall deals currently working in the industry. Following the mentorship, four participants will receive the opportunity for a six-month paid fellowship at The Walt Disney Company, Amblin Partners, and STARZ, and will be provided with further knowledge and experience to help craft their career.
“The Producers Pipeline Incubator aligns perfectly with our #TakeTheLead initiative and our continued commitment to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences,” said Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO of STARZ. “This incubator program is an opportunity to further progress on our mission and commitment to representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout our organization.”
The program aims to cultivate, develop, and fortify the capabilities of executive producers through active, hands-on learning. Program participants will gain insights from industry professionals and mentors who can speak to the value of pursuing, developing, and ultimately overseeing the success of a slate of projects and IP. With the support of all the partners, the incubator will be scaled to introduce new studio partners, provide additional fellowships in the next edition, and support professional development opportunities for the fellows moving forward.
For more information please go to: https://www.nalip.org/producers_pipeline_incubator
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) is a national membership organization that addresses the professional needs of Latino/a content creators.
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