COVID-19 Statement

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) thrives on establishing a sense of community because we believe that is the best way to promote inclusive storytelling. In response to the concerns surrounding COVID-19, the NALIP team has taken preventative action to keep our team and supporters safe.

What we’re doing:

  • The NALIP Team has transitioned from our usual work environment to telecommuting in order to practice social distancing.
  • Continue to monitor the information given to the public from WHO and the CDC
  • Working with our sister organizations on how we can best support each other and our community during this time. 

We strive to keep our community safe while also providing the support and safe space it needs. While we understand that nothing can replace in person experiences, we are proud to say our 21st Annual Media Summit was held completely virtual. Our Annual Latino Media Fest will also be held virtual this October 2020. 

In an effort to keep adapting our programs and resources for Latinx & diverse creatives and industry professionals, NALIP wants to hear from you. Tell us about how the current circumstance has impacted your situation and let us know how we can best support our community by taking our survey.

As an organization that works to create spaces for creatives and industry professionals of color, NALIP is actively seeking pathways for solutions. Are you a creative who was impacted by COVID-19? Let us know by reaching out to us at [email protected]. It's important, now more than ever, to share our stories, and we want to hear yours.

To stay updated, please continue to visit this page to monitor our response to the COVID-19 pandemic or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest news. The best way to contact us is through email. Thank you for your continued support and stay safe! 

Letter from Executive Director Ben Lopez 

Dear NALIP Friends, Members, Supporters and Allies,

In response to the precautionary safety measures and preventing the spread of COVID-19, we highly encourage our community to stay informed, and utilize the information given from the CDC, WHO, ESRI and NYT. Throughout this global health crisis and ongoing recovery, NALIP will fight to continue to keep its virtual doors open and remain operational to fulfill its critical mission to support Latinx and PoC creatives, our most vulnerable and underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry. 

For decades our Latinx community, made up of professionals above and below the line, those in front and behind the camera, writers, producers, directors and executives, worked tirelessly to achieve parity and made progress to be included in the talent pipeline, now faces an existential threat. We call on our membership allies, partners, private funders, influencers, philanthropists, policymakers and our nation's top leaders to aid our community and save our creative economy.

  • Hollywood is not immune to a pandemic, volatile markets and a recession. Our media and entertainment industry, a powerful force in the U.S. economy, has been impacted by the suspension of major studio and television productions, cancellations of key festivals and markets, postponement of films, and the prospect of a reduction and sudden unemployment of its workforce. A shutdown in production means a slowdown in global, national and local economies. We recommend everyone who has been or will be affected to call your local, state and federal representative to fight for an inclusion of the media and entertainment industry in proposed federal economic stimulus packages. This action will provide immediate relief for displaced workers who do not possess emergency funds and are facing the brunt of the crisis. We require an immediate robust response from our government to finance recovery efforts. 
  • Communities of color are specifically vulnerable and highly sensitive to economic downturns. We are carefully monitoring the impact that COVID-19 has and will continue to have on our workforce during stay-at-home orders. If you have been affected, NALIP would like to hear from you. It’s important, now more than ever, to share our stories and we want to hear yours. Email us at [email protected] explaining how you and your project has been impacted. 
  • In this time of uncertainty while we self-isolate to flatten the curve, NALIP remains committed to the acceleration of the Latinx pipeline of creatives. We are currently reviewing our calendar of tentpole in-person events and activities such as our upcoming NALIP Media Summit to be held June 25-28th, Latino Media Fest (early October) and Diverse Women in Media Forum (early December). Guided by safety precautions issued by our state and local government officials, NALIP is working closely with our partners and vendors to monitor the landscape and determine the optimal backup date in case we may need to reschedule our June Media Summit. Please encourage your network to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media as we will provide weekly updates on these events. 
  • For those working remotely and practicing social distancing, NALIP will invest in online education, upload content from its signature events, launch webinars, co-produce industry podcasts and introduce a virtual version of our Latino Lens Workshop Series. Stay tuned for more updates.
  • NALIP will continue to provide educational opportunities and activate its membership around important macro issues which impact the Latinx community such as industry studies, inclusion and belonging pipeline, the undercapitalization of our creative infrastructure, artistic support, the upcoming US census, and more.
     
  • NALIP will also ramp up its collaboration with the studios, production companies, agencies, guilds, our sister organizations and institutions via our Latino Lens Incubators. Our collaborative work will require a dramatic increase in unrestricted, flexible funding by public and private grantmakers. If you have yet to partner with us, please email us at [email protected] to begin the conversation. 
  • As it is our priority, for our community, members, staff, interns and volunteers to stay safe and healthy, NALIP is operating remotely. As our team transitions to a virtual presence, we appreciate your patience as we anticipate some disruption to our day to day process. During these uncertain times, it is important to continue to support non-profit and arts organizations like NALIP who advocate for inclusion in the media and entertainment industry. Emergency funding is needed. We ask that you continue to donate to NALIP and our sister non-profit organizations so that we may remain operational, service our community and set a foundation for a more inclusive industry. 

We anticipate a difficult road back to recovery and a long term impact to our community to be substantial. It will take a colossal effort to rebuild our industry and relieve the financial hardship the COVID-19 global pandemic has caused to our families. In spite of all obstacles, our community is resilient and will persevere. In the meantime, while we experience social distancing, please remember that you are not alone. NALIP is here for you. #WeAreInThisTogether #WeAreInclusion

With much appreciation,

Benjamin Lopez
NALIP Executive Director

 

For press and media enquiries, please e-mail, [email protected]