Pasadena, CA. – Members of the National Latino Media Council (NLMC) recently met with representatives of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to discuss ways in which to increase Latino representation amongst members of the Academy.
The meeting was requested by members of the NLMC after outcry from the Latino community arose regarding Lupe Ontiveros‘ exclusion from the Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ segment of the broadcast, and a desire to discuss their concern about the lack of diversity in the Academy’s membership. In 2012, the Los Angeles Times published an article on the lack of diversity at the Academy, which mirrors the industry at large. It found that Oscar voters are nearly 94% white and 77% male; blacks are 2% of the membership and Latinos less than 2%.
“We had a very positive discussion, and reached accord on a number of issues and we believe that the Academy representatives are earnest in working with us to address our diversity concerns,” stated retired Congressman Esteban Torres, NLMC Chairman.
“We appreciated the opportunity to meet with the NLMC and discuss much of the work the Academy does year-round to encourage new filmmakers and to support Latino artists,” said Academy President Hawk Koch and CEO Dawn Hudson.”
Representing the Academy were Chief Executive Officer Dawn Hudson, President Hawk Koch and Managing Director of Communications Jasmine Madatian. Congressman Esteban Torres (Ret.) led the NLMC delegation with representatives from Latino Literacy Now, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and Nosotros
About NLMC
Created in 1999, the National Latino Media Council (NLMC) is comprised of the 15 largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organizations dedicated to increasing Latino employment in the media industry, at all levels both in front and behind the camera, do away with negative stereotypes, and advocate for media policy that benefits the Latino community. NLMC is also the group that signed Memoranda of Understanding with ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox therefore increasing the employment ranks of Latinos and other people of color at all four networks. The Coalition is chaired by former Congressman Esteban Torres with the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) acting as its secretariat. Learn more at http://nhmc.org/nlmc.
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