DGA Monthly

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 4 I 2 1 See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. In celebration of Latin Heritage Month, on October 5, more than 200 attendees gathered in the Guild's Los Angeles Theater for Rise Up, Mi Gente!, the fourth annual DGA Latino Summit. Hosted by the Latino Committee (LC) and its Career Advancement Sub-Committee — both dedicated to empowering Latinos in all Guild categories — the event provided attendees with an opportunity to connect and learn from their successful peers during an inspiring day of community, career development, and celebrating Latino excellence in the arts. The Summit underscored the Guild's commitment to inclusion, representation and amplifying diverse voices across the entertainment industry. "Today's panels are not only exciting and energizing but also explore the ways entertainment can be an important driver of social change," said DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter as she welcomed the audience to the Guild's LA Theater. "The Committee has been laser focused on empowerment, recognizing the importance of growing representation across all areas of film and television. And it is through efforts like today's Direct Connects Mixer and panels where that change can happen — where connections are made that can advance the future." LC Co-Chairs Eli Gonda, SJ Main Muñoz and Jay Torres spoke more about the work of the Committee before introducing the first panel discussion. Adelante! Social Activism in Entertainment Directors Alejandra Marquez Abella, Mario Díaz, Marvin Lemus and Max's Executive VP of Original Drama Programming Joey Chavez explored how entertainment can inspire and be a catalyst for social change during a discussion moderated by Director Ilana Peña. Peña started the conversation by asking the group about challenges they faced while working on a project conveying a social message and shared an example of finding the social message through her characters on Diary of a Future President. Lemus recalled utilizing a social activist approach through his characters in the series Gentefied, where they we were dealing with many social issues including class, race, generational trauma and gentrification in the Latino community. Diaz emphasized the importance of contextualizing social issues in his documentaries and spoke about often having to fight with the networks to allow his to do so. Speaking from the business side, Chavez advised creatives to break out the box and, "Give people in my roles the tools to see you in different ways that people may not expect." Marquez Abella illustrated Chavez's point recalling a how looking outside the box worked to her benefit when she was pitching her feature, A Million Miles Away. Spotlight: In the Directors' Chairs During this thought-provoking conversation between Directors Alejandro Brugués and Andy Muschietti, they discussed their cultural upbringing, breaking into the American entertainment industry and the significance of representation in filmmaking. Muschietti recalled advice Director Guillermo del Toro gave him when transforming his first short film into the major studio film Mama. "Guillermo told me that I could make it in English or Spanish. But, if I made it in Spanish, someone in Hollywood would re-make it." Brugués spoke of his success in Latin America with his film Juan of the Dead and how that effect did not translate into the US. "Budget-wise, the film did really well in Latin America, and it was seen all over the world. It won a Goya Award. And then, I come here to the US and they're like, 'What is a Goya?'" They ended the conversation talking about the importance of cultural representation through filmmaking and learning to understand different cultures for a bigger impact in the industry. Pre-Event Mixer and Post-Event Reception Prior to the presentations, the Summit began with a networking mixer hosted by Latino Committee Direct Connects (LCDC) where DGA members could meet directly with entertainment professionals with hiring authority. The day capped off with a reception in the Guild's Los Angeles atrium and lobby. Photos: 1. DGA members and guests attend Rise Up, Mi Gente!, the Latino Committee's fourth annual Latino Summit. 2. President Lesli Linka Glatter welcomes the audience. 3. Committee Co-Chairs SJ Main Muñoz and Eli Gonda introduce the day's first panel. 4. Executive Joey Chavez and Directors Marvin Lemus, Ilana Peña (moderator), Mario Díaz and Alejandra Marquez Abella explored how entertainment can be a catalyst for social change. 5. Directors Andy Muschietti and Alejandro Brugués engage in the Spotlight: In the Directors' Chairs panel. 6. Muschietti and LC Co-Chair Jay Torres chat with guests during the reception. 7. Main Muñoz chats with 1st AD Shawn Pipkin-West during the reception. 8. Prior to the presentations, the Summit began with a networking mixer. DGA Latino Summit 2024: RISE UP, MI GENTE! A Latino Committee Event photos by Elisa Haber 1 3 2 4 5 7 6 8 See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup

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