DGA Monthly

J U N E 2 0 2 5 I 4 3 Film Festival Recap & Committee Events Roundup The Latino Committee (LC) meeting on April 23 was preceded by the panel discussion, On Directing Features and Everything In Between: A Conversation with Patricia Riggen. In a discussion moderated by LC Alternate Co-Chair Alejandro Brugués, Riggen discussed her career journey, her experiences directing action, and jumping between television and feature work. "I come from a time where not just being a female was hard, but telling a Latina story made it impossible for you to cross into the mainstream world" said Riggen, But she encouraged members not to give up on their goals, to keep creating their own work as much as possible, and to keep fighting for what you believe in. (L-R) Directors Alejandro Brugués (moderator) and Patricia Riggen A Conversation with Patricia Riggen A Latino Committee Discussion On April 30, the Focus on Women Committee (FOWC) meeting featured the discussion, First to the Finish: In Conversation with Annetta Marion. During the discussion moderated by FOWC Director Category Representative, Lisa Cortés, Marion spoke about the making of her new non-fiction series, First to the Finish, which takes us into the world of motorsports, as three women pursue their dreams at the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship Season. "The project was really 'Fast to the Finish,'" said Marion. "I got the call on a Wednesday or Thursday, interviewed Friday, was invited to meet Mazda, was offered the job as Director and Showrunner. We were traveling and shooting the following Monday or Tuesday. I was focused on creating relationships with the talent out of the gate. I also focused on locking the tone and visual style because everything goes from that—the production plan, how we craft the show." Directors Annetta Marion and (inset) Lisa Cortés (moderator). In Conversation with Annetta Marion A Focus on Women Committee Discussion See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. Indie Directors Outreach at 2025 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival speaker photos by Elisa Haber group photo by Jason Tiangco courtesy LAAPFF 1 From May 1 to May 7, the 41st edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) presented a robust lineup of in-person programming, along with virtual programming for audiences in Southern California and beyond. As part of the Guild's outreach efforts aimed at independent filmmakers, the DGA hosted a luncheon on May 2 for filmmakers with entries in this year's festival where DGA Director-member Anu Valia spoke about the advantages of membership in the Guild. The attendees also heard from Asian American Committee Co-Chairs Alan Chu and Michael Goi and Co-Chair Emeritus Henry Chan, who spoke about the work of their committee and the Guild's work towards greater diversity and inclusion in the industry. Since 1983, the LAAPFF has presented over 5,000 films, videos, and digital mediaworks by Asian & Pacific Islander artists, and features seminars, panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards. The Film Festival continues to be the largest festival of its kind in Southern California and is the premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific cinema. Photos: 1. 2025 LAAPFF Filmmakers pose for a group photo at the DGA. 2. DGA Director-member Anu Valia speaks to the attendees about the advantages of Guild membership 3. Asian American Committee Co-Chair Emeritus Henry Chan and current Co-Chairs Alan Chu and Michael Goi spoke about the work of their committee. 2 3

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