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The Latino Film Institute (Lfi) has named its 10 directors for its annual Lfi Inclusion Fellowship.

The program includes a $50,000 grant, personalized mentorships, and networking opportunities and is supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. All of the fellows’ completed projects will be screened at the 2025 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (Laliff) taking place from May 28 to June 1.

“At Lfi we are cultivating voices and nurturing talent that will reshape the industry,” said Erika Sabel Flores, VP of Programs and Innovation. “With Netflix’s support, we’re creating groundbreaking Latino content that meets the highest artistic standards while authentically representing our communities. Our mission transcends traditional diversity initiatives and builds sustainable pathways for creative excellence.”

Stacey Pascal Gaspard, a 2023/2024 fellow, reflected on her experience on the program saying, “With this Fellowship, I got to explore a new genre, and with this movie, I felt the evolution of my voice...

With newly-appointed L.A.-based producer Eva Ruiz de Chavez at the helm of its industry arm, the 20th Monterrey Film Festival plans a four-day industry market from Sept. 26-29 that aims to foster more collaboration and co-productions between Ibero-America and the U.S. The festival runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2.

Speaking at a press conference, Ruiz de Chavez pointed out that: “Monterrey not only stands out as one of the most thriving economies in Latin America but also as an epicenter of the industry in the country. With the launch of our Film Industry section, we aim to elevate Monterrey’s cinematic profile to match its economic recognition.”

With this goal in mind, Monterrey Industry has developed a comprehensive program that features Work-in-Progress (Wip) sessions and ProMeetings, designed to foster connections between creators and financiers as well as broaden opportunities for filmmakers in the global market.

Some 102 Wip projects...

For nearly 25 years, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival has been a showcase of Latino-focused cinema, and this summer, it will be a place where such films can find a distribution home as well.

The Laliff Film Market will make its debut with the festival’s 2024 edition, which will take place May 29 to June 2. On offer to sales agents and buyers in attendance will be a catalog of U.S. Latino films in post-production available for acquisition and distribution.

The new market is in line with the mission of the Latino Film Institute (the Edward James Olmos-founded nonprofit behind the festival) to create ever-greater impact for Latinos in the entertainment industry and is part of a suite of new initiatives under CEO Axel Caballero, who joined from Warner Bros. Discovery’s OneFifty in October. The Lfi leadership team also includes vice president of programs and innovation Erika Sabel Flores...

The Latino Film Institute has appointed Erika Sabel Flores and Sergio Monserrate to two key positions.

Flores has been named executive director of the group’s Youth Cinema Project, and Monserrate will be executive director of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. The festival’s 22nd edition is set for May 31-June 4.

“I am proud that the Latino Film Institute is helping create the next generation of leaders in Hollywood,” Lfi chairman and founder Edward James Olmos said in a statement. “With the growth of our institute, Lfi is finally at a place where we can uplift Erika and Sergio, so that they can in turn help us continue to uplift our community within the entertainment industry.”

Flores has worked with the Youth Cinema Project for the past five years. As executive director, she’ll oversee the film education program, which works with 14 school districts in California to integrate...

Amazon Studios is formalizing its commitment to the Latino community in Hollywood and beyond by partnering with Edward James Olmos’ Latino Film Institute, the Youth Cinema Project and local non-profit LA Collab, working together to strengthen the Hollywood pipeline.

“As we strive to be a global entertainment destination, we acknowledge the power and importance of Latino audiences. In order to tell their rich and dynamic stories authentically, we need their skills and creative power both in front of and behind the camera,” stated Latasha Gillespie, global head of Deia for Amazon Studios, Freevee and IMDb, in a press release announcing the news. “Partnering with Lfi and LA Collab is not a charitable endeavor, it is an equitable endeavor. It is our responsibility to remove barriers and open doors so everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

As such, Amazon Studios has signed on as the exclusive sponsor of its Youth Cinema...