The New York Latino Film Fest (NYLFF) and the LA Latino International Film Fest (LALIFF), two leading showcases for aspiring Latino filmmakers, actors, writers and producers, have partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery‘s oneFifty program to fund and support Latino content creators.
The program will provide grants to support creators’ original projects spanning narrative films, documentaries and series.
“Through this initiative, we’re offering more than just financial support. This is our commitment to celebrate and amplify the rich, diverse narratives within the Latino community,” Axel Caballero, CEO of Latino Film Institute, the parent organization for LALIFF, said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing the incredible work that will emerge from this initiative and are excited to support the artistic excellence of talented Latino filmmakers.” He added, “At the Latino Film Institute, our primary objective in every partnership is to recognize and showcase the excellence of skilled Latino filmmakers and storytellers. Through this collaboration, we aim to diversify storytelling for a broader audience.”
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The oneFifty program, “inspired by the company’s 100-year history of innovation and storytelling,” funds the initiative to support emerging content creators and “elevate” stories with social impact.
In turn, WBD will receive first-look rights for all projects selected by the festival organizations as part of this initiative, which “will focus on projects with a strong cultural aesthetic that feature Latinos in front of and behind the camera.”
Dennis Williams, SVP and head of corporate social responsibility at WBD, said he was “thrilled” to solidify their relationship with two renowned Latino film organizations. “We are thrilled to solidify our relationship with two respected industry organizations—New York Latino Film Festival and LFI”s Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival—and lean into their expertise to identify and elevate exciting projects by up-and-coming content creators.”
The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) has solidified its position as the nation’s premier Latino cinematic event. Said Calixto Chinchilla, “Underpinning the mission of the New York Latino Film Festival to champion diverse voices, support filmmakers globally, and foster an inclusive storytelling environment, this new initiative provides creatives an incredible opportunity to connect with Latino (and mainstream) audiences while uniquely sharing the Latino experience in this country.” Chinchilla added, “By diversifying storytelling across all screens, from cinema to streaming platforms, we can create shared experiences and a deeper understanding of our realities. Latino audiences, who over-index on film consumption, can now see their stories being told, reflecting their rich cultural heritage and contemporary experiences.”
