NALIPster directing new Transformers film?! Read more about this week's member news!

New 'Transformers' Movie in the Works From 'Charm City Kings' Filmmaker Angel Manuel Soto

Michael Stewart/Getty Images; Rich Polk/Getty Images 

Paramount Pictures announces a new Transformers movie for the near future. While Paramount Pictures plan to dig deeper into their IP’s and come up with new content for their rebooted streaming service, Paramount+ they are also seeking diverse voices that can resonate with the modern audience. The film company has attached Charm City Kings director, Angel Manuel Soto to direct the feature while Marco Ramirez, co-showrunner of Marvel’s The Defenders is set to write the script. Not only will it be exciting to see how this project comes together but it’s exciting to see big companies utilizing Latinx talent.   

Click here to read more about the details regarding the new Transformers movie directed by Angel Manuel Soto.

Expanding Frontiers in a Pandemic World: 5 Takeaways from the Sanfic Industria Panel

Courtesy of SANFIC

An online SANFIC Industria panel discussion was held on March 23, Expanding Frontiers in a Pandemic World. Moderated by Storyboard Media producer Gabriela Sandoval, the speakers included Estrella Araiza (Guadalajara Film Festival head), Bernardo Bergeret (Ventana Sur co-executive director), Alejandro Puente (Mar de Plata executive producer), Juliana Ortiz (Bogota Audiovisual Market), Ximena Urrutia (Guadalajara Market head), and our very own Ben Lopez (executive director of NALIP). The discussion touched on the downfalls, advantages, and silver linings the pandemic has had on artistic communities. Increasing diversity and expansion of connection are some of the highlights of this discussion. To read more about the takeaways of the panel Expanding Frontiers in a Pandemic World read here.

Carmen Carrera, Stephanie Beatriz & YaYa Gosselin Board Kase Peña’s Debut Feature, ‘Trans Los Angeles’

L to R: ‘Trans Los Angeles’ stars Carmen Carrera, Stephanie Beatriz and YaYa Gosselin, and director Kase Peña

Courtesy of Daniel Gabbay/Kevin Scanlon/Nick Glover/Kase Peña

Transgender activist and filmmaker Kase Peña have been working on an anthology film called Trans Los Angeles which will be made up of four-stand-alone shorts. This feature will tell the stories of different transgender characters and their individual experiences while living in LA. Kase Pena‘s honest and raw storytelling about transgender individuals has awarded her grants from Panavision, Light Iron Post, WarnerMedia, and NALIP’s Latino Lens, along with the WeHo Transgender Art Initiative grant. Peña has recently announced the lead actors for this project Trans Los Angeles, starring Carmen Carrera, Stephanie Beatriz, and YaYa Gosselin. 

Click here to find out more about Kase Peña and her upcoming project Trans Los Angeles.

Rodrigo Reyes Among The 2021 Rainin Fellows!

Photo credits: Jennifer Duran/Jean Melasaine/Molly DeCoudreaux/Lisa Keating

NALIPster Rodrigo Reyes is among the fellows of the new Rainin Fellowship launched by Kenneth Rainin Foundation and administered by United States Artists. The fellowship recognizes artists who push the boundaries of creative expression, anchor local communities and advance the field. Congratulations to the inaugural #RaininFellows in Dance, Film, Theater and Public Space who were awarded unrestricted grants of $100K as well as tailored supplemental support.

Click here to learn more about the four Bay Area artists and their projects.