NALIP

About the Project

The Latino Producers Academy (LPA) is a 10-day residential intensive each August that NALIP holds in order to build the field of Latino media artists, specifically the filmmakers who document and impact social justice issues critical to our community. Diversity and opportunities for Latinos in the field of media still lag far behind our proportion of the population. These artists and stories are essential for true media justice. Their creations and visions are critical components of a rich, democratic American culture. The LPA helps to amplify the voices of these under-represented artists through a national artist training program designed to give Latino and Native media makers the information and skills they need to realize their projects, and, ultimately, effect social change.

Documentary director/producers are invited, alone or in teams, with projects either in production or post-production. Filmmakers who have rough cuts attend with their editors, so they can work through the notes and mentoring provided during the program; the remaining filmmakers are in production and they rewrite proposals, refashion sample tapes, plan their fundraising, new media, and outreach strategies, and create stronger stories, packages, and marketing plans. Mentors and instructors lead the curriculum, impart best practices and skills critical to completing and delivering media products, and improve the relationships and knowledge of each Fellow about how to use their films to impact the justice issues addressed.

The goals of this program are to see each of the LPA social change projects advance to the next step; ultimately, to be completed and distributed, while engaging those who need awareness, and impacting those who can bring about needed change.

The Fledgling Fund Impact

The Fledgling Fund believes that diverse voices are integral to America's fabric of story telling. NALIP's dedication to these important voices benefits all of us and we are pleased to be able to support their work.