NALIP Unveils Agenda for Its 2025 Media Summit, Taking Place June 26–27 in Hollywood

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) unveiled on Wednesday the program for its 2025 Media Summit: “United We Create: The Power of Storytelling”, which will take place June 26–27 at NeueHouse Hollywood.

Among the featured guests are John Leguizamo, Cristela Alonzo, Cristo Fernández, Annie González, and Carlos Santos. Additionally, Eugenio Derbez and Kate del Castillo will reunite with director Patricia Riggen and screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos nearly 20 years after the release of Bajo la Misma Luna, the iconic film that tells the story of a nine-year-old boy crossing the border to reunite with his mother.

As part of the event, the NALIP Accelerator Program will also take place. This content incubator was created to support stories that transcend borders. Selected producers will participate in one-on-one project pitch meetings and networking sessions.

This year’s summit will bring together more than 400 filmmakers, producers, executives, and artists from the U.S. and Latin America, highlighting the participation of major film commissions and production houses from the region. The event will serve as a forum to examine current industry trends, discuss Latino representation in Hollywood, and develop strategies to strengthen both individual accomplishments and collective impact.

Reflecting on the importance of the event, Al Madrigal—comedian, actor, producer, former Daily Show correspondent, current NALIP board member and chair of the summit committee—stated: “At a time when our presence is being erased from cultural and industry narratives, this year we feel more urgency within our community to come together and speak out. This summit goes beyond promoting representation; it’s about uniting, telling our stories, supporting our communities, and ensuring we are not erased.”

Diana Luna, executive director of NALIP, added: “The NALIP Media Summit is a unique opportunity to foster solidarity and collaboration within our creative community, empowering Latino storytellers in the entertainment industry. We aim to share tools, knowledge, and connections that help navigate today’s borderless content landscape and contribute to real, lasting change.”

The NALIP Media Summit is supported by NBCUniversal, Sony, Starz, The Walt Disney Company, The Mediapro Studio, WGA West, Variety, NeueHouse, and Egeda.

HIGHLIGHTED MOMENTS

Among the summit’s highlights:

Reunion of Bajo la Misma Luna: Director Patricia Riggen, screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos, and stars Kate del Castillo and Eugenio Derbez will reflect on the film’s lasting impact on stories about migration, motherhood, and humanity.

Master Conversation with John Leguizamo: Alongside director and executive producer Ben De Jesus, Leguizamo will talk about developing and launching original projects such as Leguizamo Does America in an ever-evolving media landscape. They’ll share insights on sustaining creative momentum, building strategic alliances, and thriving in an increasingly competitive market.

More Than a Message: Art as Activism: Cristela Alonzo in conversation with Karla Pita Loor (Hyphenate Media Group and chair of Nalip’s board) about how her personal mission shapes her work—and why staying true to your voice is an act of creative resistance.

Strategic Sessions for Creators: From From Platforms to Communities: Building Media Ecosystems in the New Era to The Indie Manual: How to Produce and Distribute Your Own Film, these panels will feature journalists, documentarians, and strategists sharing responsible and effective ways to inform and inspire audiences.

PANELS

Highlighted panels include:

Driving Productions: Film Commissions as Strategic Allies: A panel on how international commissions are evolving from bureaucratic entities into key creative and financial partners. Participants include Colleen Bell (California Film Commission), Rachel Kephart (Kansas City Film Office), and Kim Spurgeon (Nevada Film Office), moderated by Julie Ann Crommett (CEO, Collective Moxie).

Gateways to the World: Film commissions from California, Kansas City, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil will explore how strategic incentives, infrastructure investment, and international collaboration are turning their regions into global production hubs. Panelists include Efraín Casillas (Puerto Rico, CEO of Grand Tales Entertainment), Karla Valderrama (Film Commissioner of Medellín, Colombia), Leonardo Edde (Brazil, President of RioFilme), and Marianna Vargas (Dominican Republic, DGCINE).

Global Voices, Local Impact: Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso), Annie González (Flamin’ Hot), and Carlos Santos (Primo) will discuss how they use their platforms to shift narratives, challenge stereotypes, and expand global representation.

Greenlight Ready: Gaz Alazraki (Máquina Vega) and Phillip Braun (Mucho Más Media) will offer a practical guide for preparing a project for international co-production—from pitching and packaging to market alignment.