USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Presents New Study in Partnership with NALIP
Posted by NALIP on August 26, 2019
STUDY REVEALS STATE OF LATINO REPRESENTATION IN FILM
A newly released study finds that underrepresentation and stereotyping are the hallmarks of Latino portrayals in popular movies.
Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have released a study probing an extensive analysis of Latinos in film in partnership with The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) and Wise Entertainment.
Read the whole study here!
The study examines the state of Latino representation across 1,200 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2018 and Latinos working behind the camera as directors, producers, and casting directors. An additional qualitative analysis explored stereotyping of Latino actors and characteristics across 200 top films from 2017 and 2018, revealing the following:
- Top films and the entertainment industry, in general, fall behind population averages when it comes to the representation and inclusion of Latino characters and Latinos behind the camera.
- Solutions for change and hopes that creating a formidable pipeline for Latino filmmakers will urge companies to hire Latino talent for roles within various forms of storytelling.
The new study examines underrepresentation and stereotyping of Latinos in film and identifies opportunities for change. Key solutions proposed in this report suggest positive outcomes through partnering with industry decision-makers to recruit and sign Latino talent, offering support for film initiatives that specifically target Latino filmmakers, and creating tax incentives for productions with Latino individuals above the line.
NALIP has been successful in producing & showcasing original short projects funded by partners like Home Box Office (HBO), Time Warner Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) with support from WORLD Channel. Many of which have received distribution and showcased in festivals around the world. HBO has licensed 65% of the shorts produced under the Latino Lens Incubator. In addition to incubators, NALIP is working with strategic partners like CineSony to create opportunities for diverse creatives and are collaborating on short film competitions.
As a result of NALIP's programs and resources, 20 original short films have been incubated, produced and showcased, and, through the inaugural Shorts Narrative Incubator, a finalist fundraised $4million for the feature length version of her Latino Lens short film, currently in development.
Additionally, results show the following:
- There was no meaningful change in Latino representation in film over the time period examined.
- Latinos are rare in positions behind the camera, such as directors, producers, and casting directors.
- Stereotyping of the Latino community remains common in film.
- Latinas are particularly underrepresented in film, with the majority of top-grossing films missing Latina characters altogether.
- Representations of LGBT and/or disabled Latinos were almost nonexistent in the films examined.
2019 is NALIP’s 20th anniversary and has been a true testament to all of the organization's work, mission and advancement. This past year was filled with informative workshops, screenings, signature programs and staple events. As a national organization we have increased and will continue to increase our presence not only nationwide but on a global level, this past year NALIP participated in over 60 events including key festivals like Sundance (Video), SXSW (Video), Tribeca (Video), Berlinale EFM (Video) and Cannes (Video). NALIP has fortified partnerships via collaborations that have built and provided innovative workshops, incubators, competitions, forums and educational opportunities. With several year-round programs, NALIP has served the needs of diverse content creators including, producers, performers, writers, directors, and industry professionals with the tools and mentorship they need to advance in their careers within the entertainment industry.
Learn More About NALIP's Signature Programs!
The 2019 NMS attracted 1500+ attendees across all media platforms all shedding light on inclusive experiences. We hosted over 150 speakers in master classes, signature conversations, workshops, panels, film screenings, access meetings, Q&A sessions, invaluable networking opportunities, and NALIP’s Signature Program the Latino Media Market. The Latino Media Awards Gala wrapped the summit as a celebration of the outstanding achievements of Latinx in media.
The #NALIP 2019 #LatinoMediaFest (LMF) will be held at the AMC Century City on October 2-4. Last year’s LMF was another successful event that attracted over filled with inspiring speakers, awardees, and filmmakers, who were able to share their powerful messages and talent through their works. This is a unique presenter of the best U.S. based Latinx content across media platforms and include curated short project screenings and in 2018 showcased 10 of NALIP’s Latino Lens incubated projects.
The Diverse Women in Media Forum (DWIMF) will be held at The London West Hollywood on December 5, 2019. Last year’s DWIMF included an incredible day of conversations, inspiration and empowerment for women in the entertainment industry. The forum was attended by 200 women and included speakers like Tanya Saracho, Stacey Carr, Frida Torresblanco, Adele Lim, Poppy Hanks and Marta Fernandez. The event wrapped with a mentorship session and industry mixer.
Throughout every staple event NALIP prioritizes the development of youth and includes an Emerging Content Creator Workshop (ECCW) and in 2020 NALIP looks to advance the Emerging Content Creator Inclusion Initiative (ECCII) to continue to further diverse talent in the industry.
Latino Lens Workshop Series: (Highlight Video)
NALIP hosted a dozen workshops throughout 2018 and 2019 including:
- Showrunning: How to Creatively Manage a TV Series
- The Structure of One Hour TV Pilots with Ligiah Villalobos
- Doc and Beyond: Funding and Expanding Factual Content
- Cross Cultural Storytelling: Looking into the Directing Process Workshop
We spearheaded campaigns such as NALIP’s #WeAreInclusion campaign, highlighting outstanding NALIP content creators and their contributions to the industry.
NALIP’s 20th Anniversary Roundtable Series (Video)
Leading into NALIP’s 20th anniversary, the roundtable conversations conducted across the United States is comprised of content creators, executives, allies and members that come from different backgrounds and cultures; who share the future of the media landscape and how they view the next twenty years of NALIP.
This 2018 and 2019 year NALIP partnered with various studios, marketing departments and PR companies like Allied Contigo and H&M to do special screenings of over a dozen properties including:
ABOUT NALIP: The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) is an established nonprofit organization that addresses the professional needs of Latinx content creators and industry professionals. NALIP stands as the premiere Latino media organization, addressing for 20 years the most underrepresented and the largest ethnic minority in the country. NALIP’s mission is to discover, promote and inspire Latino content creators and diverse voices across all media platforms. NALIP serves the needs of diverse content creators including, producers, performers, writers, directors, and industry professionals through events and programs such as the NALIP Media Summit, Latino Media Market, Latino Media Fest, Diverse Women in Media Forum, and Latino Lens Incubators. The organization has been featured in Variety, Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, TheWrap, among other print and online publications for their commitment to building the pipeline of Latino talent and cultivating the current and future generations of storytellers. To learn more, please visit nalip.org or follow on Twitter (@nalip_org), Instagram (@nalip_org), and Facebook (Nalip Org).
ABOUT THE USC ANNENBERG INCLUSION INITIATIVE: Launched more than 10 years ago by Founder/Director Dr. Stacy L. Smith, the Initiative is globally recognized for its valuable and sought after researched-solutions to advance equality in entertainment. Dr. Smith and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative examine gender, race/ethnicity, LGBT status, disability, and age on screen and gender and race/ethnicity behind the camera in cinematic and television content as well as barriers and opportunities facing women and people of color in the entertainment industry. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative also conducts economic analyses related to diversity and the financial performance of films. In 2015, LA Weekly named Dr. Smith the #1 Most Influential Person in Los Angeles, and she has spoken at multiple high-profile engagements ranging from the TED Women stage to the United Nations. Dr. Smith and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and NPR, among others. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s research reports include the Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity (CARD), multiple landmark studies with Sundance Institute and Women in Film Los Angeles, and their yearly investigation of on screen and behind the camera roles across more than 1,000 top-grossing films. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative is generously supported by The Annenberg Foundation, The Harnisch Foundation, The David and Lura Lovell Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Music Group, The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation, and other individuals. To learn more, visit http://annenberg.usc.edu/aii or follow on Twitter, Instagram, or on Facebook.
ABOUT WISE ENTERTAINMENT: Wise Entertainment is an independent studio that develops, creates, and produces content that lives at the intersection of entertainment, social justice and civic imagination. We tell stories for/by women and other underserved audiences in the U.S. and Brazil. The proof of concept of Wise's innovative approach is the 6-time Emmy-nominated Hulu drama East Los High, the first high school drama in U.S. television history with an all English-speaking Latino cast.