Hispanic Heritage Month: Championing Our Stories

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending NALIP’s Hispanic Heritage Month: Championing Our Stories, presented in association with Latin Tracking Board and HRTS Associates Los Angeles. The panel featured leading Latino voices in the film industry, including Joey Chavez, Margie Moreno, Roberto Larios, Daniela Federman, Gina Reyes, and NALIP’s Executive Director and evening moderator, Diana Luna.

The discussion highlighted how each panelist works to champion emerging Latino talent by creating opportunities and bringing fresh voices into their projects. They also spoke about the industry’s increasing openness to diverse perspectives. A standout example was Blue Beetle, starring Latino-American actor Xolo Maridueña (a client of Gina Reyes) and Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine. During a period when DC superhero films were underperforming, Blue Beetle exceeded studio expectations and demonstrated that Latino narratives have a meaningful place in mainstream productions.

Engaging with organizations such as (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) and the CDC (Composers Diversity Collective) provides valuable opportunities to learn more about Latino storytelling and to advance conversations on diversity within the film industry.