Report: Prime Latino Media Salon - LATINO DISTRIBUTION (April 2013)

On Thursday, April 25, 2013, NALIP New York, Tío Louie, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) and the New York chapter of the United Latino Professionals (ULP) presented the April edition of the Prime Latino Media Salon. This edition took place at New York University's Department of Social & Cultural Analysis/Latino Studies Program in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood. The topic of the salon was "Latino Distribution: Alternatives & Channels for English- and Spanish-Language Multimedia".

Moderated by Louis Perego Moreno (Tío Louie), President of Skyline Features, the discussion featured panelists Cheryl Furjanic, award-winning filmmaker of documentary and fiction films; Carlos A. Gutiérrez, Co-Founding Director of Cinema Tropical, premier presenter of Latin American cinema in the USA; Rachel Lears, filmmaker & freelance shooter, producer and editor; and Mitch Teplitsky, independent producer & marketing consultant.

As is the custom of many a Prime Latino Media Salon, there was plenty of hobnobbing and networking before the panel. Once the panel started, the audience of multimedia-makers and actors were rapt with attention.

Gutiérrez spoke on the rapid changes in the last couple of years with regards to distribution (theatrical vs. online vs. other sources) and how it is often easier to attain funding outside the United States. Lears added to that by speaking of her experience of getting a film of hers made thanks to the support of the Uruguayan government (the film took place and was shot in Uruguay). Furjanic stressed the importance of knowing your personal and core audiences and appealing to them. She also highlighted the importance of crowdfunding for various aspects of getting your film made and distributed and social media for promoting it. Teplitsky spoke on the lucrative educational market where universities (through their libraries) often buy films for their various departments (e.g. Latino/Hispanic studies, anthropology, women's studies).

All of the panelists stressed the importance of getting the buzz going about your film before it is even finished, some going as far as to say it should be thought about during your pre-production phase.





A spirited question and answer session with those in attendance occurred at the end of the panel, which was subsequently followed by a wine reception and more networking. HOLA would like to thank so many people for the success of the event– NYU and Arlene Dávila, the panelists and especially those in attendance.


[Photos in this blog by Alphabeta Photography. To see more photos, click here.]