In 1999, for the second time in US history, Latino producers from across the country met at “The Future Latino Independent Media” conference. Over 250 participants discussed the concerns and potential of Latino independent productions. Out of this creative interchange the National Association of Latino Independent Producers was born. A steering committee was selected and charged with building on what had been accomplished. The second NALIP conference, “Latino Media: Challenges for the New Millennium,” was held at Miami Beach during early summer 2000. Attracting 300 participants, the conference featured opening remarks from veteran actress Raquel Welch and comedian Paul Rodriguez. Performance artist Margo Gomez followed with an invigorating presentation and the conference boasted over twenty panels, two spirited Town Hall meetings, a pitch session and a host of side bar networking events. Panels and plenaries, the cornerstones of conference, varied in focus from Latinos in cyberspace, to negotiating with unions (SAG and AFTRA), to identifying and working with agents, to Spanish language venue opportunities.

Texas NALIP Chapter History

Texas NALIP began in 2002 after a Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) and NALIP sponsored a funding workshop in Austin, TX. A list-serve was created by spearhead Dora L. Peña that has grown to now 175 members. This list-serve provides members with information from national and other regional chapters. Texas NALIP holds quarterly SA Film Slams. Former La Luna Sol owners Ronn Garcia and David Garcia supported TX NALIP by providing their space free of charge. These slams provide a venue and networking opportunities for local independent producers. NALIP has seen rapid growth in Texas. Currently, the Texas Chapter is spreading into individual city areas: San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas.