UPenn Lecturer and National Commentator

Michael Eric Dyson Speaks at NALIP Conference VI

The Saturday March 5 Keynote in Huntington Beach will be made by UPenn Avalon Professor and frequent media commentator Michael Eric Dyson.  His research focuses on race, religion, and popular culture.  He also researches what he calls "bio-criticism," which is the melding of social and cultural criticism.  Don't miss this provocative and widely published author as he addresses the Latino Leadership Saturday at NALIP Conference VI!

(Register for Conference VI--Catch the Latino Wave

 TODAY at www.nalip.org)

Women In Film/ General Motors Announce

The Formation Of The New Filmmaker Grant:

A SIX DAY FULL IMMERSION IN THE BUSINESS OF FILMMAKING

LOS ANGELES…. The Women In Film and General Motors Corporation initiative today announced the creation of the Women In Film/General Motors “Latina New Filmmaker” grant.  The announcement was made at Celebracion Latina, an event organized by the Washington, DC chapter of Women In Film.  The grant is unique in the Latina filmmaking community, in that it is designed to support up and coming Latina filmmakers by providing them with a broad understanding of the business of filmmaking from women already successful in the industry. 

“The new Latina filmmakers we’ve talked to, and whose work we’ve seen, have an enormous amount of talent and creativity.  They tell us that they simply need to better understand the mechanics of getting a film into production and distribution.  These grants will help  talented women become successes in the entertainment industry,” said Judith James, Chairperson of the Women In Film/General Motors national committee.

This grant will be awarded to five women  selected from an application process. The winners will be hosted at the Bi-Annual International Summit of Women In Film in Los Angeles, on October 29th to November 1st 2005, and at the American Film Market, November 2nd to November 4th in Santa Monica, California.

The winners will receive complimentary passes to both conferences and admission to all panels and functions.  Additionally, they will meet with a panel of studio executives and distributors in film and television in order to discuss the trends and criteria that are shaping the industry in an intimate conversation.  At AFM, they will meet with one or more international sales agents to discuss the current trends in buying and selling product for the international market.
 
Applications for the Women In Film/General Motors “Latina New Filmmaker” grant can be found at www.wif.org <http://www.wif.org>  and www.womeninfilmvideo.org <http://www.womeninfilmvideo.org> and need to be postmarked by Friday, April 8, 2005.  A selection committee of industry representatives, distributors, directors, executives, producers, etc., will evaluate all applications and choose the winners.  The five winning applicants will be notified by May 23, 2005 and announced at the Women In Film Crystal/Lucy Awards on June 10, 2005 in Los Angeles.

For Further Information, please visit www.wif.org

Contact:  
Catherine Olim / PMK-HBH / 310-289-6200 / Catherine.olim@pmkhbh.com
Joy Fehily / PMK-HBH / 310-289-6200 / Joy.fehily@pmkhbh.com

CALLING ALL LATINAS: What Does It Mean To Be Latina in the U.S.?

Documentary shoot during NALIP National Conference--Huntington Beach, CA.
 

CALLING ALL LATINAS:

“What Does It Mean To Be Latina in the U.S.?”

This is part of an ongoing series by Skyline Features on women who are Latin American or U.S.-born Latinas and how they define “being Latina.” Two parts previously have been shot in NYC. The objective now is to document the experiences of Latinas from diverse geographical regions across the United States.
 
Share your cultural history and personal experience. How do you juggle or integrate traditional Latina roots with North American ways of the culture where you reside? Is there a happy medium? How do you navigate these waters? What are the highs? What are the lows?
 
This English-language production will be filmed between Wednesday, 03/02 thru Sunday, 03/06. All we ask for is 30 minutes. Contact Louis.
 

Louis E. Perego Moreno
SKYLINE FEATURES
Cel: (917) 535-4333
SkyFeature@aol.com

SKYLINE FEATURES is an English and Spanish-language multimedia production and educational company focusing on transcultural, multicultural and youth edutainment projects. The specialty is developing documentaries for television and national distribution that feature Blacks, Latinos, Urban Youth, Women, Gay & Lesbian Youth and Children with Disabilities.

Come and Celebrate DVD Release Party with Smokin’ Mirrors Prods.

Vivahollywood.com proudly presents a

Smokin’ Mirrors Productions

2006 NALIP National Conference

DVD Release Party

Thursday, March 3, 2005

10:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Please join producer/director Francisco Hernandez, writer producer/director Patrick Perez, writer/producer Abel Salas and producer/publisher Fred Sotelo to celebrate the release of a brand new DVD collection featuring original music videos from Smokin’ Mirrors Productions and California’s best movimiento bands.

*Quetzal

*Blues Experiment

*Sapos Muertos

*Quinto Sol

*Aztlan Underground

Huntington Beach Brewery

201 East Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648

Presented by Smokin’ Mirrors Productions, Anahuac Productions, Vivahollywood.com & Toltec Media  

Hispanic VH1 Shifts Strategy to 'Beyond Music'

SPANISH-LANGUAGE VH1 AIMS TO REACH 'BEYOND MUSIC'
New TV Spots Focus on Rock Star Lifestyles (3/1/05)

NEW YORK (www.AdAge.com) -- In the first major consumer push behind the year-old Spanish-language version of Viacom's VH1 channel, three somewhat oddball spots make the point that VH1 is now about more than music videos.
See full story and play the online video at http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=44423 -- Laurel Wentz.

* * * * GET THIS REGULAR HISPANIC NEWS SUMMARY FREE * * * *
If you are currently a registered AdAge.com user, you can get this free e-mail summary of Hispanic news by activating the new "Hispanic News Alert" item in your MyAdAge registration page (Click into "My AdAge" in the left-hand navigation bar). If you ARE NOT yet a registered AdAge.com user (registration is free) you can register to begin free delivery of this e-mail Hispanic Marketing News alert on this page: http://www2.adage.com/page.cms?pageId=592

ALSO: Foward this e-mail to anyone else you think might have an interest in following news about Hispanic marketing, advertising and media in the U.S.

Media Reform Conference - Scholarships available!

Friends,

I'm excited to announce The National Conference for Media Reform - an exciting forum for discussing solutions to the problems of our media, May 13-15 in St. Louis. No matter what your issue is, media reform is a crucial part of it. Please consider attending this conference. I'm a part of the outreach and scholarship committee so if you are interested and need scholarship assistance please apply, funds are available. Spread the word about this conference. www.freepress.net/conference

The media have the power to control what we know, what we think, and whose voices we hear in public debate.  It's crucial for Americans to understand how our media system works and to become involved in debates about media policy.  The current structure of our media system prioritizes power and profit for media corporations over citizens' need for real information and diverse points of view- to the detriment of our democracy and our culture.  Without our input and engagement, the policies that shape the media will continue to be made behind closed doors and without concern for the public interest. We must stand up and

demand quality information, greater diversity and independence among voices in the media, and public access to channels of communication.

The time to act is now. I hope you can join us in St. Louis May 13-15 for The National Conference for Media Reform. Click here to learn more: www.freepress.net/conference.  As more and more Americans begin to understand the impacts of our broken media system, thousands of activists will converge in St. Louis to learn, strategize, network, and build momentum to fight for reform.  Speakers already scheduled for the event include FCC Commissioners

Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, comedian Al Franken, author Naomi Klein, journalist Juan Gonzalez, FAIR's Janine Jackson, Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington, TransAfrica Forum's Bill Fletcher and author David Brock. Activist leaders and members of Congress will be there as well.  Registration is now open. Register online by March 15 for the

discounted early bird rate: www.freepress.net/conference. Scholarships are available. Free Press has secured a limited amount of funding to provide scholarships to offset attendance costs for activists who could not otherwise afford to attend. See

www.freepress.net/conference/=scholarship to learn more and apply.

The application deadline is March 1. A chance to showcase your work. The "Media Democracy Showcase" will provide an interactive space for conference participants to learn about the exciting array of media activism and reform work being done by local, regional and national groups across the country. We invite

media activist organizations to use this opportunity to showcase their work and network with conference participants.

Go to www.freepress.net/conference/=showcase to learn more and apply.

For more details, including info on the venue, schedule, program, lodging information, and much more, please visit the conference web site, www.freepress.net/conference . We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis!

-Valerie Benavidez

CineQuest On-line Film Festival -- "RACKET"

VOTE NOW!!!  Before polls close...

NALIP'sters,

Michael Baez, NALIPster originally from The Bronx, New York, residing now in Los Angeles has also been accepted to be part of the Cinequest on-line film festival competition and is requesting your love and support by voting for his 12 minute HD short film '- "RACKET".

"Racket" was written, directed and produced by Michael and co-produced by Juan Caceres and Nestor Rodriguez-who all met at the very first Latino Producers
Academy! 

"Racket" is a powerful short film that tells the story of Jesse Cruz, a tough Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx who dreams of becoming a professional tennis player. One day after Jesse meets Nikolai Nikoff, a Bulgarian mobster (Racketeer) from Bay Ridge Brooklyn, not only does Jesse get  some very 'unique' tennis lessons but also a new-found friendship and a shot at the US Open!.  (It's kinda like - The Professional meets Wimbledon)

To vote for "RACKET" follow these simple directions:

1) Go to www.cinequestonline.org
2) Register yourself, (only involves email address and zip code)
3) Go to Viewers Voice Collection & Competition.
4) Find the movie "RACKET", (under short films), watch
it, submit your comments and rate it!

Thanks!

‘Chismosa Y Manteca En Jealousy’ Screens at

Women of Color Festival At Pacific Film Archive

Chismosa y Manteca en Jealousy by Aurora Sarabia will screen on Friday, March 4, 2005 as part of the Women of Color Film Festival 2005 at the Pacific Film Archive Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way in Berkeley, California.

For festival information  please visit : www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/pfa_programs/women_of_color/

'Chismosa y Manteca en Jealousy' uses transformation of the physical and emotional self to tell a story about friendship, love and betrayal. Two roommates, one with low self-esteem, the other with too much alter ego, quarrel over a relationship gone astray. Be prepared for a twisted, comedic narrative that pays tribute to silent films.

'Chismosa y Manteca en Jealousy' has screened at various venues including the 2004 National Association of Latino Independent Producers Conference Video Slam and Cine Accion’s Twelfth Annual Cine Latino Film Festival.  'Chismosa y Manteca en Jealousy' won the  “Most Original” award at the Boyle Heights First Annual Latina Film Festival Extravaganza  this past December in Los Angeles.

Contact :

Aurora Sarabia

E-mail: filmgoddess2001@yahoo.com

Phone: 510 659-8539

New 'Mexican' Production in the UK

Take31 productions (UK) is proud to announce the production of the documentary/film  “a Mexican actor in London.”  This independent production will be the hopefully the first of many future productions focusing in the Latin / Hispanic communities in the UK.

The documentary, as the title indicates, deals with  real  situations in the every day  life of the a Mexican actor in London.  The main objective of the story is to document as truthfully as possible the process of adaptation, struggles, highs and lows of  the Mexican actor Ernesto Leszek while trying to establish himself as a professional actor in the UK. 

Ernesto Leszek will be the Producer of the film as well as the subject.  He quotes - “ is difficult to be an actor anywhere in the world,” “ but this is not only a story about me it goes well beyond acting or been a foreigner  in the UK”  “This is a story of identity, adaptation and survival… anyone that’s traveled or moved to a different country can  relate to the story”

“When I go to castings people expect me to look and behave certain way. The media has trained humans to react to the strong impact of  “stereo types” as a selling point” “ I was told by casting directors - “you don’t look Mexican”- What should a Mexican looks like? …and Who decides?”

For Take31 is  important to show a wider picture.  There are many Mexicans that are not wearing “sombreros”, boots and sleeping  under a cactus tree. We are changing the way people think about others.  Is a duty of the filmmakers to educate and entertain.

The real challenge for Take31 productions is to create awareness in Britain of the Latin American and Spanish communities that is almost not existent when compared with the United States.

Ernesto added  -“this is a real life story, the best way to show it was by making a documentary …is a strong and powerful story and a big learning curve for me”  “ I’ve learned  to take my individuality as my strength rather than  a disadvantage” “ That’s why I have decided to make this film as a documentary. We can only embrace a culture if we acknowledge the uniqueness of each individual in that culture… and we’re all unique”

The Filming of the Documentary  “a Mexican actor in London”  started in February and  will be entered to the international film festival circuit.

Take 31 Promotions – PR dept

show.business@take31.co.uk

Copyright free Pictures:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1688127/

Co-Producer Needed For Each of Two Miami Features Shooting Soon

Film #1--

Looking for co-producer for "Everything's Fine" a comedy about three generations of women in the art and club scene of Miami and Miami Beach.  Raunchy, empowering and hilarious! 250K in place.  Now casting.

Attached:
Juan Carlos Zaldívar, dir. (Soldiers Pay, 90 miles, The Story of the Red Rose, Single in South Beach, Sundance Film festival Trailers 1998)
Gill Holland, producer (Hurricane Streets, Desert Blue, Spin the bottle, Loggerheads, Remembering Sex, The Mole, Dear Jesse, 90 miles) more info at www.lasalleholland.com
Shelly Gitlow, writer (Love after love, with Susan Seidelman 2005)
"Everything's fine" is scheduled to shoot in April in Miami.

Film #2--
Looking for co-producer for "Violenta" (Sundance Lab Project).  A comedy about a Latino Superhero, whose powers come to full force when he is dressed like a woman.  Script available.  Open to produce in South or Central America.
Attached:
Juan Carlos Zaldívar writer/director (Soldiers Pay, 90 miles, The Story of the Red Rose, Single in South Beach, Sundance Film festival Trailers 1998)
Enrrique Chediak, director of photography (Crónicas, Undefeated, The Good Girl, The Safety of Objects, 3 A.M., Boiler Room, Songcatcher, Remembering Sex, Desert Blue, Hurricane Streets)

Roommate Needed in Westwood

Los Angeles -- 2 Male, Undergraduate Film and Writing Students/NALIP Members are in need of a roommate to share a spacious 2-bedroom apartment in Westwood,CA beginning April 1st--preferably another film student, actor, writer or NALIP Member.

Rent and living situation negotiable.  Water, trash paid.

Contact Carlos Lara @ closlara09@yahoo.com.