Almudena Carracedo LPA Fellow Estela Award Winner 2008 Filmmaker e. acarracedo2@yahoo.com w. www.madeinla.com Blog

Born in Spain, Almudena Carracedo is the director, producer and cinematographer of the feature documentary Made in L.A., which had its U.S. broadcast premiere on PBS’ POV series and was funded by ITVS, POV and the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund. Made in L.A. has won numerous international awards and has received an excellent critical response, praised by the New York Times as “an excellent documentary… about basic human dignity”. Prior to Made in L.A., Almudena worked as a television director in Spain until she came to the U.S. to work on her doctoral dissertation at UCLA’s Film School, where she produced the award-winning documentary short Welcome, A Docu-Journey of Impressions. Almudena is a past fellow of NALIP’s Latino Producers Academy and recent winner of NALIP’s Estela Award. She is currently working full time on the outreach for Made in L.A., touring with the film and bringing its impactful story to audiences around the world.

"NALIP trusted my vision from the beginning and nurtured the development of a 5-year project that became Made in L.A. NALIP’s Latino Producers Academy and annual conferences provide rare access to mentors and to information in a safe familial environment that fosters development and creativity. NALIP is a true vibrant community that makes a difference everyday, and I am grateful to be part of it!"

- Almudena Carracedo

November 2008

Dear NALIP Members:

A year ago, the NALIP Board, staff and stakeholders reviewed eight years of organizational development and made a new Strategic Plan for 2008-2010 that responded to the current media field, to our member artists’ needs, and to our ambitious dreams for NALIP.

Since then, we held our largest and most successful Conference and Latino Media Market, events both respected by our sponsors and appreciated by our guests. We moved the Latino Writers Lab and Latino Producers Academy to Santa Fe, and found the city creative and welcoming. We held our longest Academy – 18 days – with the most documentary projects and the highest quality feature projects to date. We put our LMRG/membership resource directory on line, with 8,050 unique visitors and 385,000 page views in its first six months; it is a state-of-the art reference updated weekly, no longer just annually.

Nevertheless, as an arts service organization we are very much a part of the current political and economic environment. Our funders and donors are struggling, even as the need still remains for NALIP to support and train talented Latino/a artists and executives. The NALIP Board and staff are passionate about our work, our programs, our members and success. We plan to continue that commitment into 2009, following the vision of our strategic plan to see more images made by and about Latinos.

First, we will celebrate our tenth anniversary in April at NALIP Conference 10. Planned for The Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California, we look forward to welcoming new NALIP members and greeting old as we reflect on 10 years of growth, and plan for a new decade of vision and change. We will hold our fifth Latino Media Market, and a new Latino edition of Actorfest along with awards, showcases and other great events. Watch Latinos in the Industry and www.nalip.org for updates and opportunities.

Second, we will accept applications soon for our next Latino Writers Lab, which runs May through September, and really advances scripts and writing skills. We are proud of the progress that writers make in this program. Many go on to the Latino Producers Academy, to Sundance, to options, representation and writing careers.

We invite you to get involved, give back, reach out to the Latino media community. Mentor and create. Share your success by sending us your news. And stand with us through this bumpy transition into NALIP’s next and greatest decade.

Warmly,
Kathryn