Los Angeles, CA – June 18, 2025 – The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) has unveiled the program for its 2025 Media Summit, themed “United We Create: The Power of Storytelling,” taking place June 26–27, 2025, at NeueHouse Hollywood.
Featured guests include John Leguizamo, Cristela Alonzo, Cristo Fernández, Annie González, and Carlos Santos. Additionally, Eugenio Derbez and Kate del Castillo will reunite with director Patricia Riggen and screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos, nearly 20 years after the premiere of La Misma Luna, the iconic film that tells the story of a nine-year-old boy crossing the border to reunite with his mother.
As part of the event, the NALIP Accelerator Program will also take place — a content incubator designed to support and elevate stories that transcend borders. Selected producers will take part in one-on-one project pitch meetings and exclusive networking sessions.
This year, the summit will bring together over 400 filmmakers, producers, executives, and artists from across the United States and Latin America, highlighting the participation of leading film commissions and production companies from the region. The gathering will serve as a platform to examine current industry trends, discuss Latinx representation in Hollywood, and shape strategies that strengthen both individual achievements and collective impact.
Reflecting on the importance of the event, Al Madrigal — comedian, actor, and producer; best known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, current NALIP board member and chair of the Summit Committee — shared:
“At a time when our presence is being erased from cultural and industry narratives, we feel a stronger urgency than ever within our community to come together and speak up.
This summit goes beyond promoting representation — it’s about building solidarity, telling our stories, uplifting our communities, and ensuring we are not erased.”
The program not only spotlights emerging opportunities for creators in the entertainment industry, but also provides key tools to amplify Latinx voices and elevate authentic storytelling that resonates with audiences around the world.
Diana Luna, Executive Director of NALIP, added:
“The NALIP Media Summit is a unique opportunity to foster solidarity and collaboration within our creative community, and to uplift Latinx storytellers in the entertainment industry.
We aim to share tools, knowledge, and connections that help navigate today’s borderless content landscape and contribute to real, lasting change.”
Program Highlights Include:
“La Misma Luna” Reunion
Director Patricia Riggen, screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos, and stars Kate del Castillo and Eugenio Derbez will reunite to reflect on the lasting impact of the film on narratives about migration, motherhood, and humanity.
A Keynote Conversation with John Leguizamo
Alongside director and executive producer Ben De Jesus, the actor will discuss the development and launch of original projects like Leguizamo Does America within an ever-evolving media landscape. They will share insights on sustaining creative momentum, building strategic partnerships, and standing out in an increasingly competitive market.
More Than a Message: Art as Activism
Cristela Alonzo joins Karla Pita Loor (Hyphenate Media Group and NALIP Board Chair) in a conversation about how her personal mission shapes her work — and why staying true to your voice is a powerful act of creative resistance.
Strategic Sessions for Creators
From “From Platforms to Communities: Building Media Ecosystems in the New Era” to “The Indie Playbook: How to Produce and Distribute Your Own Film”, these panels will feature journalists, documentarians, and strategists sharing responsible and effective ways to inform and inspire audiences.
Workshops and panels will open up concrete opportunities for collaboration, whether through strategic partnerships with film commissions across the Americas or through sessions focused on how to develop projects that reflect and elevate Latinx identity and lived experiences.
Featured Panels Include:
“Global Voices, Local Impact”
Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso), Annie González (Flamin’ Hot), and Carlos Santos (Primo) will share how they use their platforms to shift narratives, challenge stereotypes, and expand global representation.
“Ready for Greenlight”
Gaz Alazraki (Máquina Vega) and Phillip Braun (Mucho Más Media) offer a practical roadmap for preparing a project for international co-production — from pitching and packaging to aligning with market opportunities.
“Fueling Productions: Film Commissions as Strategic Partners”
This panel explores how international film commissions are evolving from bureaucratic bodies into key creative and financial allies. Speakers include Colleen Bell (California Film Commission), Rachel Kephart (Kansas City Film Office), and Kim Spurgeon (Nevada Film Office), moderated by Julie Ann Crommett (CEO, Collective Moxie).
“Gateways to the World”
Film commissions from California, Kansas City, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil will explore how strategic incentives, infrastructure investment, and international collaboration are turning their regions into global production hubs. Panelists include Efraín Casillas (Puerto Rico, CEO of Grand Tales Entertainment), Karla Valderrama (Film Commissioner of Medellín, Colombia), Leonardo Edde (Brazil, President of RioFilme), and Marianna Vargas (Dominican Republic, Director of DGCINE).
The NALIP Media Summit is made possible with the support of NBCUniversal, Sony, STARZ, The Walt Disney Company, The Mediapro Studio, WGA West, Variety, NeueHouse, and EGEDA.
NALIP: Elevating Voices, Transforming the Future of Media
NALIP is the leading organization dedicated to empowering creators in film, television, and digital media. We champion bold storytelling, expand access to the industry, and amplify underrepresented talent to ensure authentic representation. As a driving force behind the most demographically diverse audience, we embrace our power as both consumers and cultural creators. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and year-round initiatives, NALIP works to build a more inclusive media landscape — one story at a time.
Learn more about NALIP’s programs at www.nalip.org
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