Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Introducing the Inaugural Class of the NALIP Latino Lens: Narrative Short Film Incubator for Women of Color

04/10/2021

Back to All News

Introducing the Inaugural Class of the NALIP Latino Lens: Narrative Short Film Incubator for Women of Color

Pete Corona

Director of Drama Series

Liliana Espinoza

Projects Director, NALIP

Social Impact

04 October 2021

GlobalUnited States

Earlier this year, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) teamed up with Netflix to create the NALIP Latino Lens : Narrative Short Film Incubator for Women of Color, an incubator program that provides four writers/or directors who identify as women of color with the opportunity to develop and produce an original short film. This partnership is part of Netflix's Fund for Creative Equity, an effort to help create more behind-the-camera opportunities for underrepresented communities within the TV and film industries.

Today we're introducing the inaugural cohort of filmmakers and projects selected for the program: Eileen Alvarez with Mama Retreat, Caroline Guo with Firecracker, Eunice Levis with Ro and the Stardust, and Angelita Mendoza with The Blue Drum.

From a tense journey into motherhood, one familys hidden past, and relationships that make us confront unanswered questions, these shorts test the limits of our perceived reality. The four filmmakers and their films bring to life stories of love, resistance and loss. These projects also showcase the unique directing styles, genres, and artistic visions that these artists offer through their work, and we're thrilled to be part of their creative journeys through this program.

Since July, all four women have received production support and mentorship from industry professionals throughout the production process. The films are now set for a special showcase at NALIP's upcoming 2021 Latino Media Fest on October 13th-14th. As the filmmakers continue to showcase their films, they will also meet industry executives through NALIP's Access program as a way of continuing to build their careers.

Find out more on the filmmakers below and click here for stills from the shorts:

Eunice Levis ( Ro and the Stardust )

LOGLINE

Ro and the Stardust follows a teen and her terminally ill grandmother as they build a rocket ship they plan to launch to outer space.

BIO

Eunice Levis is a first-generation Dominican-American, born and raised in The Bronx, New York.

She is currently developing several projects that combine her love of horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy, many through a diasporic lens. She recently wrote and directed InVade, a sci-fi short film, which made the second round of the 2020 Sundance Episodic Lab with its pilot script. Her urban gothic horror feature script Keep also made the second round consideration for the 2021 Sundance Feature Development program. Eunices latest work, a folklore horror micro short titled Fell Ends was an Extraordinary Selection at NYX's 13 Minutes of Horror Film Festival and streamed on Shudder. Her upcoming film, an urban fantasy titled Ro and the Stardust, is part of the 2021 NALIP Latino Lens Women of Color Short Film Incubator, sponsored by Netflix. Eunice is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment.

Caroline Guo ( Firecracker )

LOGLINE

On the night of their first anniversary in Beijing, a young Chinese woman (Annie Wang) is confronted with a life-changing decision: whether she should keep herself and her Asian-American girlfriend (Same Lee) hidden from her traditional family with the upcoming Chinese New Year or live out her dream as her true self.

BIO

Like any good Chinese-American daughter, Carolie promised her parents she'd be a doctor or a lawyer. Only to become a diehard film nerd. Finalist for the 2020 Women in Film x Black List Feature Film Lab with Firecracker and semifinalist for the Universal Writers Program, Caroline wrote, directed and produced the award-winning short film The Test in Beijing, China. Having lived in Atlanta, Chicago, Paris, London and Beijing, Caroline is now based in Los Angeles and most interested in telling personal stories, especially those of Asian and Asian-American women, to shed light on larger social issues.

Angelita Mendoza ( The Blue Drum )

LOGLINE

A grieving woman is tormented by memories of a mother that abandoned her as a child, as she tried to mourn her dead father, who raised her on his own. The house calls for her to discover the secrets kept from her.

BIO

Angelita Mendoza is an award-winning, Mexican-American film director based in New York City but raised in San Diego. Her passion for film started at her father's video stores when she was a child. Angelita's films have screened at HollyShorts, New York Film Festival, and San Diego Latino Film Festival, among others. The Blue Drum will be Angelita's fourth short film as a director.

Eileen Alvarez ( Mamma Retreat )

LOGLINE

An expectant Latinx mother attends an all-inclusive retreat for mothers in the woods, where all her deepest fears about motherhood are realized.

BIO

Eileen Alvarez is a Latinx writer/actor/director who grew up in San Francisco, and was raised by political activist parents who fled Argentina in exile. Eileen received a degree in Philosophy from UCLA, an M.F.A from the Actors Studio, and made her directorial debut with Finding Mabel, an award-winning feature about Argentinas 30,000 disappeared. Her sophomore film Ailm Grit won several festival awards, and was picked up by Elizabeth Banks platform Whohaha. In 2020, Eileens comedy Pilot G era took home first place during the Page International Screenwriting Awards, and in the same year she joined the writers room for the adult animated series Close Enough for HBOMax.
LINK: https://about.netflix.com/en/news/introducing-the-inaugural-class-nali...
See more stories from netflix

More from Netflix

11/07/2025

'Too Hot to Handle: Italy' Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix

Back to All News Too Hot to Handle: Italy Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix Entertainment 11 July 2025 GlobalItaly Link copied to clipboard July 11, 20...

11/07/2025

Netflix Will Release 'Death Inc.' Seasons 1, 2 and 3

Back to All News Netflix Will Release Death Inc. Seasons 1, 2 and 3 Entertainment 11 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Season 1 Season 2 Se...

10/07/2025

Netflix Presents the Official Trailer for 'Superestar'

Back to All News Netflix Presents the Official Trailer for SuperestarPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 10 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard...

10/07/2025

Bringing Culture Into Focus on My Brilliant Career': First Nations Voices Reshaping Storytelling on Set

Back to All News Bringing Culture Into Focus on My Brilliant Career': Firs...

09/07/2025

Netflix Has Released the Trailer for 'Letters From the Past,' Sparking Curiosity With Its Cast and Compelling Story

Back to All News Netflix Has Released the Trailer for Letters From the Past, Sp...

09/07/2025

Netflix Announces the Start of Filming for 'Aquel,' the New Series Based on Raphael's Life

Back to All News Netflix Announces the Start of Filming for Aquel, the New Seri...

09/07/2025

Netflix Set to Adapt Solo Leveling' Into Korean Live-Action Series Starring Byeon Woo-seok

Back to All News Netflix Set to Adapt Solo Leveling' Into Korean Live-Acti...

08/07/2025

Lust. Betrayal. Obsession. 'Fatal Seduction' Returns with a Smouldering Cast This August

Back to All News Lust. Betrayal. Obsession. Fatal Seduction Returns with a Smou...

08/07/2025

'The Monster of Florence': The Four-Episode TV Series Directed by Stefano Sollima Is Coming Only on Netflix on October 22

Back to All News The Monster of Florence: The Four-Episode TV Series Directed b...

08/07/2025

Shooting of '53 Sundays', Cesc Gay's New Project, Is Finished

Back to All News Shooting of 53 Sundays, Cesc Gays New Project, Is Finished Entertainment 08 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Download the f...

07/07/2025

Vir Das Finds His Voice Again in Netflix's 'Fool Volume', Promising Wit, Wisdom, and Worldwide Laughs

Back to All News Vir Das Finds His Voice Again in Netflix's Fool Volume, Pr...

07/07/2025

The Long-Awaited Trailer is Here: Alice in Borderland' Season 3 Premieres September 25

Back to All News The Long-Awaited Trailer is Here: Alice in Borderland' Se...

07/07/2025

Anime for Every Fan: Fueling a New Era of Global Storytelling

Back to All News Anime for Every Fan: Fueling a New Era of Global Storytelling Entertainment 07 July 2025 GlobalUnited StatesJapan Link copied to clipboard...

07/07/2025

'She Walks in Darkness', Agustn Daz Yanes' New Film, Premieres on Netflix on October 17

Back to All News She Walks in Darkness, Agust n D az Yanes New Film, Premieres ...

05/07/2025

'Superestar,' the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18

Back to All News Superestar, the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18 Entertainment 05 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Dis...

03/07/2025

Netflix Announces the Premiere of 'I'm Still a Superestar,' a Documentary about Tamarism. Premiering July 18

Back to All News Netflix Announces the Premiere of Im Still a Superestar, a Doc...

03/07/2025

Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Third Season of the Brazilian Original Series 'Criminal Code'

Back to All News Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Thir...

03/07/2025

Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the third season of the Brazilian original series Criminal Code

Back to All News Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...

01/07/2025

A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New Series, 'Marked'

Back to All News A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New Series, MarkedPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 01 July 2025 GlobalSouth Africa ...

01/07/2025

Neil Patrick Harris to Host 'What's In The Box' - A Bold New Game Show Coming to Netflix

Back to All News Neil Patrick Harris to Host What's In The Box - A Bold New...

01/07/2025

Feel the Beat: Glass Heart' Main Trailer and Title Song Revealed

Back to All News Feel the Beat: Glass Heart' Main Trailer and Title Song RevealedPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 01 July 2025 GlobalJapan Link co...

01/07/2025

Watch: A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New Series, 'Marked'

Back to All News Watch: A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New...

30/06/2025

NASA+ Is Coming to Netflix This Summer

Back to All News NASA Is Coming to Netflix This Summer Entertainment 30 June 2025 GlobalUnited States Link copied to clipboard NASA and Netflix are teami...

30/06/2025

Netflix Releases Trailer for Petra Costa's New Documentary 'Apocalypse in the Tropics,' Premiering on July 14

Back to All News Netflix Releases Trailer for Petra Costas New Documentary Apoc...

30/06/2025

Netflix releases trailer for Petra Costa's new documentary Apocalypse in the Tropics, premiering on July 14

Back to All News Netflix releases trailer for Petra Costas new documentary Apoc...

30/06/2025

Beln Cuesta and Karra Elejalde Star in 'El nio', the New Film by Mariano Barroso

Back to All News Bel n Cuesta and Karra Elejalde Star in El ni o, the New Film ...

30/06/2025

A New Dangerous Troll Awakens: Netflix Unleashes Teaser for 'Troll 2'

Back to All News A New Dangerous Troll Awakens: Netflix Unleashes Teaser for Troll 2Play Video Play Video Entertainment 30 June 2025 GlobalNorwayDenmarkSwe...

29/06/2025

A Secret Society, Ritualistic Killings, and a Century-Old Curse Netflix and YRF Entertainment's 'Mandala Murders' Premieres July 25

Back to All News A Secret Society, Ritualistic Killings, and a Century-Old Curs...

27/06/2025

Let the Final Games Begin With Squid Game' Season 3 Complete Coverage Guide

Back to All News Let the Final Games Begin With Squid Game' Season 3 Complete Coverage Guide Entertainment 27 June 2025 Global Link copied to clipboar...

27/06/2025

'Squid Game: Unleashed': Celebrate the Epic Series Finale With New Games, Characters and Rewards

Back to All News Squid Game: Unleashed: Celebrate the Epic Series Finale With N...

25/06/2025

'It's Worth It by Dani Rovira' Arrives at Netflix on July 11th

Back to All News Its Worth It by Dani Rovira Arrives at Netflix on July 11thPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 25 June 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to cl...

25/06/2025

Step Into the Game IRL With 'Squid Game' Season 3-Inspired Products, Games and Experiences as the Global Phenomenon Returns June 27

Back to All News Step Into the Game IRL With Squid Game Season 3-Inspired Produ...

25/06/2025

Teaser for Action Thriller Series Trigger' Unleashes Tension as Firearms Surface in a Gun-Free Nation - Premieres July 25

Back to All News Teaser for Action Thriller Series Trigger' Unleashes Tens...

25/06/2025

Love, Conflict and Family Drama: Netflix Drops The Trailer For Aap Jaisa Koi' - a Melodic and Visual Masterpiece

Back to All News Love, Conflict and Family Drama: Netflix Drops The Trailer For...

25/06/2025

The Ripple Effect of K-Content: How Netflix Viewers Are Embracing Korean Culture

Back to All News The Ripple Effect of K-Content: How Netflix Viewers Are Embracing Korean Culture A giant Young-hee presides over the Red Light, Green Light g...

23/06/2025

'Squid Game' By the Numbers: How Player 456 Took Over the World

Back to All News Squid Game By the Numbers: How Player 456 Took Over the World From left to right: Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ae-shim, Lee Jung-jae, Hwang Dong-hyuk...

22/06/2025

'Fall For Me' - Erotic Summer Drama by Sherry Hormann Starts August 21

Back to All News Fall For Me - Erotic Summer Drama by Sherry Hormann Starts August 21 Netflix / Julia Terjung Entertainment 22 June 2025 GlobalGermany L...

22/06/2025

Wall to Wall': Gripping Thriller Set in an Apartment Complex Premieres on July 18

Back to All News Wall to Wall': Gripping Thriller Set in an Apartment Comp...

20/06/2025

Turn Your Netflix to "Fool" Volume: Vir Das Drops a New Special on July 18!

Back to All News Turn Your Netflix to "Fool" Volume: Vir Das Drops a New Special on July 18! Entertainment 20 June 2025 GlobalIndia Link copied to clipboar...

19/06/2025

A Father. Two Kids. And the Videos She Left Behind. 'Catalog' to Premiere on Netflix on July 17

Back to All News A Father. Two Kids. And the Videos She Left Behind. Catalog to...

18/06/2025

'Fria', the New Netflix Series Starring Vinicius Neri, Fabio Lago and Alice Carvalho, Starts Shooting in Rio de Janeiro

Back to All News F ria, the New Netflix Series Starring Vinicius Neri, Fabio La...

18/06/2025

One Man Against All Odds: Ziam' Trailer Teases Thrilling Thai Martial Arts Zombie Combat

Back to All News One Man Against All Odds: Ziam' Trailer Teases Thrilling ...

17/06/2025

WIF Welcomes 2025 Fellowship Class

Back to All News WIF Welcomes 2025 Fellowship Class WIF 2025 Fellows Class Photo Social Impact 17 June 2025 United States Link copied to clipboard Today,...

17/06/2025

'My Brilliant Career' Series Adaptation Now in Production in South Australia for Netflix

Back to All News My Brilliant Career Series Adaptation Now in Production in Sou...

17/06/2025

Netflix And TF1 Group Join Forces To Bring TF1 To Netflix Members In France

Back to All News Netflix and TF1 Group Join Forces to Bring TF1 to Netflix Members in France Entertainment 17 June 2025 GlobalFrance Link copied to clipbo...

17/06/2025

'Two Graves' Arrives on Netflix on August 29

Back to All News Two Graves Arrives on Netflix on August 29 Entertainment 17 June 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Download the first images Net...

12/06/2025

'Brick': No Way Out - Mystery Thriller With Matthias Schweighfer, Ruby O. Fee and Frederick Lau

Back to All News Brick: No Way Out - Mystery Thriller With Matthias Schweigh fe...

12/06/2025

Irresistibly Cute Trailer for My Melody & Kuromi' Unveils a Stop-Motion Adventure Through Mariland, Premiering July 24

Back to All News Irresistibly Cute Trailer for My Melody & Kuromi' Unveils...

12/06/2025

Netflix Gets Animated at Annecy!

Back to All News Netflix Gets Animated at Annecy! Top row from left to right: Fixed (Film), In Your Dreams (Film), Long Story Short (Series) Bottom row from ...