Press release
National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) recently held a closing ceremony for the successful completion of its 2024 Series Scriptwriters Program, a virtual eight-week intense writers lab that has helped launch the careers of more than 200 Latine writers in its twenty-one-year history.
Comedian, writer, actor, and producer Al Madrigal (Lopez vs. Lopez) greeted this year’s cohort and provided remarks during the special closing ceremony.
“You are all the next generation of storytellers and your stories will speak to people like you who are dying to see themselves on TV, on any screen, because we all know when we see authentic portrayals of our culture, our family, our struggles, our joy, it gives us a sense of belonging. We realize that our stories are worth telling and that we too, deserve to be seen” said Al Madrigal. “When we write stories that show the full complexity of our experiences, our humor, our resilience, our diversity, we change the way the world sees us creating a ripple effect far beyond the screen. We are humanizing our community in ways that help break down barriers of discrimination, ignorance, and misunderstanding”
For more than twenty years, NHMC has cemented the Series Scriptwriters Program as one of the leading writer’s labs in the entertainment industry. The unique eight-week intense writers lab accepts nationwide applications and ten Latine writers from diverse backgrounds are selected to participate. Participants work closely with mentors, meet seasoned writers in the industry, join a community of alum Latine writers, and have the opportunity to connect with agents, managers, and executives in the entertainment industry. By the end of the program, participants will have developed a half-hour or hour-long original series pilot with the opportunity to pitch network executives in NHMC’s network of partners including The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, and Netflix.
“One of the ways that we accomplish our mission is through all of you participating in this well-respected writers program in the industry,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition. Castillo emphasized the importance of uplifting each other in the entertainment industry saying “In your journey, just make sure you are pulling up other Latinos, make sure that when you climb up that you are sending the elevator back down and that you are helping our people.”
This year’s participants included:
- Chris Leyva
- Crystal Perea
- Daniella Tovar
- Dylan Correra
- Dylan Goris
- Gabriela Rodriguez
- Maddie Chavez
- Mercedes Augusta
- Morgan Webber-Ottey
- Victor Adame
Alumni of the program have gone on to work on shows that can be viewed on Netflix, Apple TV+, NBCUniversal, Max, Hulu, ViacomCBS, Paramount, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.
NHMC continues its commitment to bridging the gap between Hollywood and the Latine community through this program and the recently released media guide ‘Seeing Beyond The Stereotypes: Telling Authentic Latino/a/x/e Stories.” This resource tailored to industry professionals aims to expand the entertainment industry’s understanding of the complexities of the Latine experience and connect with the community they are making media for and about.
NHMC extends gratitude to their partners Netflix, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, T-Mobile, Golden Globes Foundation, Google, A&E Networks, and Motion Pictures Association for their continued support.
For more information about the Series Scriptwriters Program visit: https://www.nhmc.org/writers/.
About The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
NHMC is a nearly forty-year-old, woman-led non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino communities.
We educate and increase Latino visibility, from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to our media advocacy work in Hollywood, where we collaborate, create, and connect Latino talent with the entertainment industry. At NHMC, we focus on all forms of media because it is one of the most influential and powerful institutions that shape society’s attitudes, values, and beliefs.
We have a number of initiatives dedicated to building bridges within our community, including our Series Scriptwriters Program, which has helped launch the careers of more than 200 Latine writers. For over ten years, our Latinx Stream Showcase has also helped launch 300+ Latine creators’ careers in front and behind the camera. The program showcases short films written by, starred in, and directed by Latinos.
We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.
