2004 PRESS RELEASES

For information on how to obtain press credentials and/or interviews for this year’s conference contact NALIP publicist, Lourdes Ortega via phone at (310) 316-3313 or via e-mail at lourdes@ortegapr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Time Warner and HBO Sponsor Major Latino Initiative:
National Association of Latino Independent Producers' Conference V
To Host Time Warner and HBO Executives as Speakers

Los Angeles, CA (February 11, 2004) -- Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), its HBO division and the National Latino Media Council are proud to sponsor the National Association of Latino Independent Producers’ fifth national Conference, “Reel Change: Framing The Future” (www.nalip.org), scheduled for February 26-29 in Santa Barbara, CA. NALIP will host entertainment executives and professionals who will address issues involving the adequate representation of Latinos in front of and behind the cameras. Over 400 conference participants, made up of professional and emerging Latino film, television and documentary makers, are expected to attend.

Along with HBO Chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht, Time Warner and HBO executives confirmed to speak at the conference include (alphabetically): Kary Antholis, Vice President, HBO Films; Tracey Bing, Vice President, Production and Acquisitions, Warner Independent Pictures; Doris Casap, Vice President, HBO Film Programming; Miranda Heller, Vice President, HBO Original Programming; Claudio Ludovisi, Vice President, Domestic Corporate Marketing, Warner Bros. Entertainment; Richard Perez-Feria, Editor, People en Español; Ralph Rivera, Vice President, Games, AOL Entertainment Group; Trish Vasquez, Vice President, International Publicity, New Line Cinema; and Michael Wright, Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Turner Television Network.

Additional speakers include: Julio Caro, Nuyorican Productions; Cheryl Head, CPB; Susan Lewis, MTV Films; Cara Mertes of P.O.V/American Documentary, Inc; and Jeff Valdez, SíTV.

“HBO has been a pivotal supporter of NALIP since its first conference in 1999,” said Albrecht. “During the past four years, as the organization developed local and national programs for Latino filmmakers, our resources and vision have helped lay a foundation that has allowed the conference to flourish. We’re happy to continue to support their important work.”

"Time Warner is proud to be a sponsor of this year's conference," said Lisa Quiroz, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Time Warner. "Our continued success as a company depends upon our ability to attract and support the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are pleased to be a part of NALIP's efforts to cultivate and promote the creative talents of Latino artists."

“We are thrilled to have the sponsorship of the Time Warner family, alongside the other industry and institutional supporters that make this event possible. Their ongoing commitment fosters a new wave of diverse creative opportunities in the film and television industry,” adds Frances Negrón- Muntaner, Board Chair for NALIP.

NALIP is proud to present this year’s honorees: Salma Hayek (Frida) receives the Outstanding Achievement in Producing Award; Media educator, activist, and author Richard Perez (“From Assimilation to Annihilation: Puerto Rican Images in U.S. Films”) receives the Lifetime Achievement in Media Advocacy; and educator and bi-lingual television producer Dr. Aida Barrera (Carrascolendas) receives the Pioneer Achievement in Producing Award. 

Salma Hayek produced and starred as the Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo in the successful biographical film Frida. Hayek powered the project into production by the sheer force of her desire to bring the story of her countrywoman to the screen. Her film was nominated for six Academy Awards (Best Actress, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Original Score, and Original Song), and won two (Achievement in Makeup and Original Score). It went on to gross over $25 million in the US domestic box office alone.

Hayek subsequently made her directorial debut and served as executive producer of the Showtime Original Picture The Maldonado Miracle. After a successful television career in Mexico, she began work as an actor in the United States and went on to star in Desperado, opposite Antonio Banderas. Her acting credits include roles in Wild Wild West, From Dusk 'Til Dawn, Fools Rush In, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Richard Perez is a longtime community activist and past member of the Young Lords Party. His tireless efforts to bring social justice to Latinos have included media activism. A pioneer in these efforts, Mr. Perez has written about the representation of Latinos in Hollywood films and was one of the leaders of the Committee Against Fort Apache (CAFA).

The CAFA organized to boycott the film, Fort Apache, The Bronx, and sought to educate the general community about Puerto Rican history and culture, and challenge the negative stereotypes that the movie portrayed. The movement united Latino, Black, Asian and Caucasian media activists to change media stereotyping nationwide.

Perez is currently the Director of the Political Development Department of the Community Service Society, one of the oldest and most well-respected non-profit organizations in New York City. For 15 years, he taught college courses on U.S. social policy, Puerto Rican urban experience, mass media, and the history of the labor and civil rights movements.

Dr. Aida Barrera has extensive experience in broadcasting, public policy and education. A specialist in multicultural communications and media studies, Dr. Barrera has created and produced programming for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). Dr. Barrera’s productions have been in the vanguard of the movement to initiate educational Latino/a programming on a national scale. Her series Carrascolendas became the first network television production to address the needs of Latino children in the United States. Her publications include a recently published memoir, Looking for Carrascolendas. Dr. Barrera was a graduate fellow at Princeton University and has bachelors and doctorate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

NALIP’s public and corporate supporters include (alphabetically): AFTRA, AIVF, Altria Group, American Airlines, Arizona Theatre Company, CBS, Cinequest, the Coca Cola Company, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Costa Construction Company, Cox Communications, Department of Media Arts, Directors Guild of America, the Ford Foundation, Fox Broadcasting, Ground Zero Entertainment, HBO, IFP-LA, IFP-Miami, International Documentary Association, ITVS, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Kahlil Bottling Company, KUAT, LA Film School, Latino Public Broadcasting, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, MTV Networks, National Endowment for the Arts, NCLR, P.O.V./American Documentary Inc., Producers Guild of America, the Rockefeller Foundation, SAG-Producers’ IAC Fund, Time Warner, Tucson Film Office, Tullipanes Festival, UCLA Film and Television Professional Certificate Program, University of Arizona, Univision, Urban 15 Studios, the Walt Disney Company/ABC, the Walter Kaitz Foundation, WGA-East, and Workplace Hollywood.

NALIP ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Since its inception in 1999, NALIP has emerged as the premiere Latino media organization addressing the most underrepresented and largest ethnic minority in the country.  NALIP has four national initiatives:

The National Conference -- REEL CHANGE: FRAMING THE FUTURE is the fifth such event since 1999.

The Latino Writer's Lab -- The second lab is presented in collaboration with the Writer's Guild of America East and the New York Latino International Film Festival in New York City in April. This 4-day intensive program attracts Latino/a film and television writers from around the country.  The curriculum advances their screenplays through work on craft, as well as through direct mentoring; the program also introduces writers to agents, managers, producers and funders in order to expand their professional network and further their projects and careers.

Latino Producers AcademyTM – Feature, television and documentary attend this seven-day intensive seminar in Tucson, Arizona by special selection and invitation. 30-35 filmmakers participate in seminars on advanced professional skills development and in-depth mentoring for all aspects of their project development, production skills and marketing understanding as instructed by top industry professionals.  A repertory company of Latino/a actors is also assembled, to perform staged readings of first acts and shorts each evening, which further advance filmmaker's projects.  Presented in association with the UCLA Film and Television Professional Certificate Program, the second LPA will run August 5 - 12, 2004.

Latino Media Resource Guide™ – A printed directory of Latino/a writers, directors, producers, crew members, executives and other professionals, including their contact and credit information, plus deadlines for diversity initiatives, film schools, and funding opportunities. This book is provided free to members, as well as to all studios, networks, production companies and agents in order to enhance employment and build community.  The database is also available and updatable online, along with additional resources, links, and connections.  The premiere edition will be available at Conference V.

In addition, NALIP continues to provide regional workshops that include grant-writing and proposal-writing seminars in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Antonio, San Jose, Miami, and Washington, D.C.  NALIP will also bring seminars to Puerto Rico in 2004. Other regional programs include narrative writing and producing workshops, networking events and mentoring.

ABOUT NALIP

Founded in 1999 by a group of Latino producers, educators and media activists, NALIP’s mission is to promote the advancement, development and funding of Latino and Latina film and media arts in all genres.

NALIP is committed to improving access and opportunities for Latino/as at all points in the media production pipeline, including the training of our next generation of media makers, and the support of emerging and mid-career professionals.  It is a national organization of industry, independent and community producers dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of images by, for and about Latinos in the media.

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

Time Warner y HBO patrocinan una iniciativa latina de gran envergadura:
La V Conferencia de la Asociación Nacional de Productores Latinos Independientes contará con la presencia como oradores de ejecutivos de Time Warner y HBO

Los Ángeles, CA (17 de febrero de 2004) -- Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), su división HBO y el Consejo Nacional de Medios Latinos tienen el honor de patrocinar la quinta Conferencia nacional de la Asociación Nacional de Productores Latinos Independientes (NALIP), “Reel Change: Framing The Future” (www.nalip.org), que tendrá lugar en Santa Bárbara (California) entre el 26 y el 29 de febrero. La NALIP ha invitado a ejecutivos y profesionales del mundo del espectáculo para que traten alguno de los temas relacionados con la adecuada representación de los latinos tanto delante como detrás de las cámaras. Se espera que participen en la conferencia más de 400 latinos, profesionales y productores de películas, programas de televisión y documentales.

Además del Presidente y Director General de HBO, Chris Albrecht, han confirmado su participación como oradores en la conferencia los ejecutivos de Time Warner y HBO siguientes (por orden alfabético): Kary Antholis, Vicepresidente de HBO Films; Tracey Bing, Vicepresidenta de producción y adquisiciones de Warner Independent Pictures; Doris Casap, Vicepresidenta de programación de películas de HBO; Miranda Heller, Vicepresidenta de producción propia de HBO; Claudio Ludovisi, Vicepresidente de marketing institucional interno de Warner Bros. Entertainment; Richard Pérez-Feria, editor de People en Español; Ralph Rivera, Vicepresidente de Juegos del AOL Entertainment Group; Trish Vásquez, Vicepresidenta de publicidad internacional de New Line Cinema; y Michael Wright, Vicepresidente primero de producción propia de Turner Television Network.

También intervendrán como oradores Julio Caro de Nuyorican Productions; Cheryl Head de CPB; Susan Lewis de MTV Films; Cara Mertes de P.O.V/American Documentary, Inc; y Jeff Valdez, de SíTV.

“HBO ha sido uno de los apoyos fundamentales de la NALIP desde su primera conferencia en 1999”, dijo Albrecht. “Durante los últimos cuatro años, a medida que la organización elaboraba programas para cineastas latinos en el ámbito local y nacional, nuestros recursos y nuestra visión han contribuido a sentar las bases que han permitido a la conferencia prosperar. Es un placer para nosotros continuar apoyando la importante labor que realizan.”

“Time Warner está orgullosa de patrocinar la conferencia de este año”, dijo Lisa Quiroz, Vicepresidenta de responsabilidad institucional de Time Warner. “El éxito de nuestra empresa depende de nuestra capacidad para atraer y apoyar a los mejores talentos procedentes de muy diversos ámbitos. Nos complace formar parte de los esfuerzos que hace la NALIP para cultivar y fomentar la capacidad creadora de los artistas latinos.”

“Estamos encantados de contar con el apoyo de la familia de empresas de Time Warner y de otros patrocinadores institucionales y de la industria que han hecho posible este evento. Su continuo compromiso fomenta una nueva ola diversas oportunidades creativas en la industria del cine y la televisión”, añadió Frances Negrón-Muntaner, Presidenta de la Junta de la NALIP.

La NALIP tiene el honor de presentar a los galardonados de este año: Salma Hayek (Frida) recibe el Premio a la Mejor Producción; el educador, activista y autor Richard Pérez (“From Assimilation to Annihilation: Puerto Rican Images in U.S. Films”) recibe el Premio a la Mejor Carrera en la esfera de la Promoción; y la educadora y productora de televisión bilingüe, Dra. Aida Barrera (Carrascolendas) recibe el Premio a la Primera Mejor Producción. 

Entre los patrocinadores públicos e institucionales de la NALIP cabe citar (por orden alfabético en inglés): AFTRA, AIVF, Altria Group, American Airlines, Arizona Theatre Company, CBS, Cinequest, the Coca Cola Company, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Costa Construction Company, Cox Communications, Department of Media Arts, Directors Guild of America, the Ford Foundation, Fox Broadcasting, Ground Zero Entertainment, HBO, IFP-LA, IFP-Miami, International Documentary Association, ITVS, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Kahlil Bottling Company, KUAT, LA Film School, Latino Public Broadcasting, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, MTV Networks, National Endowment for the Arts, NCLR, P.O.V./American Documentary Inc., Producers Guild of America, the Rockefeller Foundation, SAG-Producers’ IAC Fund, Time Warner, Tucson Film Office, Tullipanes Festival, UCLA Film and Television Professional Certificate Program, University of Arizona, Univision, Urban 15 Studios, the Walt Disney Company/ABC, the Walter Kaitz Foundation, WGA-East, y Workplace Hollywood.

LOGROS DE LA NALIP
Desde su creación en 1999, la NALIP se ha convertido en la principal organización de los medios que se ocupa de las cuestiones relativas a la mayor y menos representada minoría étnica del país. La NALIP lleva a cabo cuatro iniciativas a nivel nacional:

· La conferencia nacional -- REEL CHANGE: FRAMING THE FUTURE
· El laboratorio de escritores latinos
· La Academia de Productores LatinosTM
· La Guía de recursos para medios latinos™

Además, la NALIP continúa celebrando seminarios regionales sobre la mejor forma de solicitar ayudas y redactar propuestas en Los Ángeles, Nueva York, Chicago, San Antonio, San José, Miami y Washington, D.C. La NALIP también realizará seminarios similares en Puerto Rico en 2004. Entre otras iniciativas regionales cabe citar la realización de seminarios sobre narrativa y producción, eventos para facilitar los contactos entre las personas y actividades de asesoramiento.

ACERCA DE LA NALIP
Fundada en 1999 por un grupo de productores, educadores y activistas latinos de los medios, la misión de la NALIP es fomentar la potenciación, el desarrollo y la financiación de la cinematografía y las artes mediáticas latinas en todos sus géneros.

La NALIP se compromete a mejorar las oportunidades y el acceso de los/las latinos/as a todos los puntos de la cadena de producción, incluida la capacitación de nuestra próxima generación de creadores y el apoyo a los nuevos profesionales y a los que ya han iniciado su carrera. Es una organización nacional de productores de la industria, independientes y basados en la comunidad, dedicados a aumentar la calidad y la cantidad de imágenes creadas por latinos, para latinos y sobre latinos en los medios.

Contacto para la prensa:
Lourdes Ortega
310.592.8530 Mobile
310.316.3313 Office - Direct Line
lourdes@ortegapr.com

National Association of Latino Independent Producers to
Host Conference V in Santa Barbara, CA
On February 26-29, 2004

Themed "Reel Change: Framing the Future," Conference Will Explore Initiatives and Opportunities for More Latino Players in Film and Television

Los Angeles, CA (December 4, 2003) NALIP presents the Fifth National Conference scheduled for February 26-29, 2004 in Santa Barbara, CA with over 400 film and television producers expected to attend. The Conference will provide education and support for Latinos in the entertainment industry, unveil tactics to improve Latino participation in the film and television field, as well as take this opportunity to reflect on the media landscape since NALIP's inception in 1999.

This year's NALIP's Gala Awards will honor pioneers of Latino media, as well as a young producer who has made a substantial contribution to the field over the last year. Long time media activist and former Young Lord Richie Perez ("King of the Jungle") will receive a Pioneer Achievement in Advocacy Award. Aida Barrera, the producer of the first Latino children's program on national television, "Carrascolendas," receives the Pioneer Achievement in Producing Award. Salma Hayek has been selected to receive an Outstanding Achievement in Producing Award from NALIP for her dedication and passion to filmmaking as a star, director and producer.

Current NALIP Board Chair Frances Negron-Muntaner notes the importance of this year's Conference in marking a milestone. "Five years ago, no one thought NALIP would last. But over the last year we have created national signature programs and reached more people than ever. With this Conference, NALIP comes of age as a major voice for Latino independent producers today."

Conference V will be hosted by two committee chairs, award winning documentary filmmaker, Hector Galan ("Visiones: Latino Art and Culture") and UCLA professor Dr. Chon Noriega (Director of Chicano Studies Research Center and Professor in the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media).

"NALIP offers an exciting forum for me to share my expertise in documentary filmmaking with the emerging member producers." Adds Hector Galan, "NALIP is also a terrific platform for professional and mid-career filmmakers to discuss the obstacles Latinos encounter and to strategize on solutions to overcome them."

Dr. Chon Noriega, one of the original NALIP co-founders, confirms, "Filmmakers are the historians of our community. NALIP provides support for both the emerging and established makers who are creating the new images and stories that will redefine Latinos within the media."

Workshops, seminars, and panel discussions will be held to cover topics such as collaborating and developing stories for film and television, finding funds for documentaries and independent films, building on technology developments, creating marketing and PR campaigns, working with feature film producing teams, and co-producing internationally, among others. There will be networking opportunities during mixers plus screening opportunities for films, new media projects, and works in progress. Additionally, the Conference will include a Gala Awards dinner with celebrity MC.

About NALIP

Founded in 1999 by a group of Latino producers, academics and media activists, NALIP is emerging as the premiere Latino media organization. NALIP's mission is to promote the advancement, development and funding of Latino and Latina film and media arts in all genres.

It is committed to: Latina/Latino media and filmmakers, regardless of form or content of their work; respect for diversity based on a code of ethics open to and respectful of differences, including gender, geography, color, class, age, ethnicity, language, sexuality, religion, genre or physical abilities; solidarity and accountability, applying our code of ethics to the selection, funding and mentoring processes; raise the question of historical and cultural relevance and awareness of Latinos and Latinas; solidarity, alliance building and multiple visions of Latina/Latino experiences within the local, national, international, and global contexts.

Press Contact:
Lourdes Ortega
310.592.8530 Mobile
310.316.3313 Office - Direct Line
lourdes@ortegapr.com