Awards Go to 9 Projects for Broadcast and New Media
Los Angeles, CA (December 17, 2013) – Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), a non-profit organization funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, announces nine, newly funded programs as part of its 2013 Public Media Content Fund. The initiative invites independent producers to submit proposals on Latino-themed programs or series for funding consideration.
“Our selection process was highly competitive with many outstanding projects making it to the final round. We look forward to working with these talented filmmakers in bringing these compelling stories to the American Public on PBS, and extending the reach of this content into classrooms across the country” said Sandie Viquez Pedlow, LPB executive director.
“We are proud of the Latino producing community who through their craft celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our community and shed a light on the challenges that we face” said Edward James Olmos, LPB Chairman of the Board.
Every year LPB invites independent filmmakers to submit proposals in various stages, from research and development, to production, post-production and new media. All proposals are reviewed by a group of public media professionals, station programmers, independent filmmakers, academics, and executives from funding organizations.
This year, nine projects were selected for funding. Emerging filmmakers comprise 45% of total funded producers; mid-level producers make up 33%; veteran filmmakers constitute 22%; and 60% of the funded producers are women. The final slate of programs represents filmmakers from different regions within the U.S.
The 2013 awarded projects (alphabetically) are as follows:
Broadcast
A Photographer’s Journey
Co-Director/Producer: Ray Telles
Co-Director/Producer: Yvan Iturriaga
Category: Post-Production; 1 Episode/60 Minutes
A Photographer’s Journey captures the remarkable story of Pedro Guerrero, a Mexican American born and raised in segregated Mesa, Arizona in the 1920’s who becomes an international photographer capturing iconic 20th century artists Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Children of Giant
Producer/Director: Hector Galan
Category: Post-production; 1 Episode/60 Minutes
Children of Giant exposes the events and emotions that transformed the small town of Marfa, Texas (the film site of George Steven’s epic Giant) during and beyond Anglo/Latino segregation, through the voices of the individuals who experienced it firsthand.
East of Salinas
Co-Director/Producer: Laura Pacheco
Co-Director/Producer: Jackie Mow
Category: Post-production; 1 Episode/60 Minutes
East of Salinas is the story of a gifted Mexican American teacher who overcame the hardships of his migrant youth and now is dedicated to give migrant children a sense of life beyond the fields. The documentary explores an overlooked part of today’s American Dream and examines the impact of immigration laws and farming practices on children at risk.
El Poeta
Co-Director/Producer: Kelly Duane de la Vega
Co-Director/Producer: Katie Galloway
Category: Post-Production; 1 Episode/60 Minutes
El Poeta tells the story of renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia who ignited an international movement for peace after the brutal murder of his 24-year old son, an innocent victim in a drug war that has left more than 70,000 dead since 2006. A deeply personal, poetic and even hopeful journey on both sides of the Mexico/US border, El Poeta traces Sicilia’s path from poet and father to movement leader and international symbol of grief and redemption.
Now En Español
Producer/Director: Andrea Meller
Category: Post-Production; 1 Episode/60 Minutes
A documentary that chronicles the ups and downs of being a Latina actress in Hollywood, Now En Español addresses issues of Latino identity and representation through the lives of the 5 dynamic women who dub “Desperate Housewives” into Spanish for American audiences.
The Hand That Feeds
Co-Director/Producer: Rachel Lears
Co-Director/Producer: Robin Blotnick
Category: Post-production; 1 Episode/60 Minutes
Shy sandwich-maker Mahoma López and his undocumented immigrant coworkers set out to end abusive conditions at a New York restaurant chain owned by powerful investors. The epic power struggle that ensues turns a single city block into a battlefield in America’s new wage wars.
The State of Arizona
Co-Director/Producer: Carlos Sandoval
Co-Director/Producer: Catherine Tambini
Category: Post-production; 1 Episode/90 Minutes
The State of Arizona chronicles the passing of the controversial immigration law SB1070, also known as the “papers please” law that ignited a national maelstrom in Arizona and around the country. Combining interviews with footage of heated protest rallies and television coverage, the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this divisive issue depicting a state and its people testing the edges of our democratic values. With dozens of states considering a similar approach, The State of Arizona holds up a mirror, asking Americans who they are, and who they want to be.
New Media
Migrant Heroes
Director/Producer: Yolanda Cruz
6 Webisodes/ 6 Minutes
Migrant Heroes is a series of short documentaries that celebrate the everyday heroes of migrant communities. This interactive web-based documentary project will profile migrants whose work has contributed to the improvement of their communities. The series begins with members of the Oaxacalifornian community and will eventually expand to other heroes following suggestions from viewers.
18 Bakers
Director/Producer: Andrew Bracken
20 Webisodes/ 3 Minutes
An innovative webseries, 18 Bakers tells the story of the immigration raid that took place on May 15, 2008 on The French Gourmet, a well-known bakery in San Diego, California. 18 Bakers will provide a balanced yet compelling story that will highlight the plight of the restaurant workers that were arrested, and will serve as a forum for dialogue on immigration issues.
About Latino Public Broadcasting
Latino Public Broadcasting is the leader of the development, production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural media that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. These programs are produced for dissemination to the public broadcasting stations and other public telecommunication entities. LPB provides a voice to the diverse Latino community on public media throughout the United States.
For more information please visit www.lpbp.org.
CONTACT
Luis Ortiz, Managing Director
Latino Public Broadcasting
818-847-9656
luis.ortiz@lpbp.org