NALIP 10: A DECADE OF INFLUENCE

NALIP’s two annual Estela Awards honor talented Latino/a filmmakers who, either through a stunning debut or a steady rise in a relatively short period of time, have distinguished themselves through their work to date. This award is for filmmakers whose achievements reveal leadership, creativity, and tenacity, as well as vision and passion for their craft.

The 2009 Estela Awards are selected by a Blue Ribbon panel of professionals, and endowed through a generous gift by the McDonald’s Corporation. Through their commitment to excellence and Latino media, McDonald’s provides a $7,500 Filmmaker Grant to each of two Estela Award winners, one narrative and one documentary maker. The McDonald’s financial contribution, together with NALIP’s recognition, supports each artist’s next project, and their progress towards being a star.

Cruz Angeles

Cruz Angeles, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, made his feature film directorial debut at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival with DON'T LET ME DROWN. Cruz participated as a directing and writing fellow at the 2005 Sundance Institute Filmmaker’s Lab and was a recipient of the 2006 NHK/Sundance International Filmmakers Award. Along with being an Annenberg Film Fellow, as an alumna of NYU’s graduate film program, Cruz garnered various awards including a Director’s Guild of America Award.

Hugo Perez

Hugo Perez is the producer and director of the feature documentary “NEITHER MEMORY NOR MAGIC” which is narrated by the Academy-Award Nominated® Patricia Clarkson. Perez is also the producer and director of the ITVS funded documentary “SUMMER SUN WINTER MOON.” In 2008, Hugo was a recipient of the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation/Tribeca Film Institute Emerging Artist Fellowship in support of development of his first narrative feature IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. His short film BETTY LA FLACA was the winner of the 2006 HBO/NYILFF Short Film Award. Hugo previous short film “JULIETA Y RAMON” was broadcast as part of the 2005 Showtime Latino Filmmaker Showcase.

PATRICIA RIGGEN (2008) - NARRATIVE

Patricia Riggen is the director of LA MISMA LUNA. Her first short film, LA MILPA, screened in over 30 international film festivals and received 20 awards, among them the Student Academy Award and the Mexican Academy Award for Best Short Film. FAMILY PORTRAIT, Patricia's next short film, also screened at many festivals collecting several awards, among them the Jury's Prize for Best Short Film at Sundance '05. Patricia began her film career as a writer for a television documentary series. She later worked as a Creative Executive for the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE) where she produced short films, commercials and documentaries. She is a recipient of the National Fund for the Arts and Culture in Mexico, and holds a master's degree in Film Direction from Columbia University. Her first feature film, LA MISMA LUNA (UNDER THE SAME MOON), was acquired by Fox Searchlight and The Weinstein Co. and was released in March 2008 as the most successful Spanish-language release in the U.S..

ALMUDENA CARRACEDO (2008) - DOCUMENTARY

Almudena Carracedo is director, producer, cinematographer, co-editor and co-writer of the documentary MADE IN L.A. The film received a strong critical response and was called “An excellent documentary… about basic human dignity” by The New York Times. It has screened at numerous festivals including the Los Angeles Film Festival, Silverdocs, Morelia International Film Festival and La Havana International Film Festival, winning a Special Mention of the Jury at the Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain, the Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film and Digital Media (Council on Foundations), and a nomination for the International Documentary Association’s annual Pare Lorentz Award. MADE IN L.A. was funded by ITVS, POV and the Sundance Institute, Documentary Fund and had its U.S. broadcast premiere on PBS’ POV series in a special Labor Day broadcast. In October 2008, Almudena won an Emmy for her film.

JUDY HECHT DUMONTET (2007) - NARRATIVE

Judy is the writer, director, and a producer of the film TORTILLA HEAVEN. Archangel Entertainment released the film in March 2007. She is a past winner of the Directors’ Guild Award for most outstanding new Latino filmmaker. Her student-produced short film THE NOVICE/LA NOVICIA premiered at Sundance and went on to win awards and accolades throughout the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.

NATALIA ALMADA (2007) - DOCUMENTARY

Natalia’s debut feature-length documentary AL OTRO LADO is about immigration, drug trafficking and Corrido music. It was nationally broadcast on PBS’ P.O.V. in August 2006 and had a special week-long engagement at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in March 2006. AL OTRO LADO was an official selection at various film festivals including The Los Angeles Film Festival, The New York Latino International Film Festival (Kodak Cultural Award), and The Puerto Rico International Film Festival (Best Documentary). Natalia’s new film EL GENERAL was developed while she was on a prestigious Rockefeller Fellowship, received funding support from the Sundance Documentary Fund, and will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2009.

MARILYN AGRELO (2006) - DOCUMENTARY

MAD HOT BALLROOM proved to be the perfect vehicle for Marilyn. The documentary was her directorial debut. With over 15 years of experience in the world of filmmaking and production, she jumped at the chance to create this critically acclaimed film that would be a love poem to New York. Born in Cuba, Marilyn came to the U.S. at the age of 2. Growing up in New York, she explored different cultures, which contributed to her work as a filmmaker today.

RODRIGO GARCIA (2006) - NARRATIVE

Rodrigo was born in Colombia and raised in Mexico City. He has been credited as a cinematographer, writer, and director. He photographed DANZON, MI VIDA LOCA, and the television movie, GIA. He wrote a screenplay for Miramax Pictures, and directed several episodes of the HBO series, “Six Feet Under” as well as the pilots of “Carnivale” and “Big Love.” In 2005, he premiered NINE LIVES. It was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards.

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers NALIP 10: A Decade of Influence
runs April 17 - 19, 2009 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, CA.