LatinX in Animation Toons Up LALIFF 2023 Programming

LatinX in Animation (LXiA) announced its animation programming for the 22nd edition of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). This year’s animation program is back and better than ever as LXiA’s events will be embedded throughout the entirety of LALIFF, both in-person and virtually.

This year’s animation program will feature a schedule of exclusive animated film premieres, in-person panel discussions and virtual coffee chats, or “cafecitos,” with animation industry professionals, portfolio reviews courtesy of animation studio recruiters, premieres in the animated episodic program, a range of international talent in the Animated Shorts Program (juried by a panel of critically acclaimed judges) and more.

Co-founded in 1997 by actor, director and producer Edward James Olmos, the LALIFF showcases the talents and perspectives of Latinx filmmakers and creatives from all over the world. LXiA, launched by Co-Founders Magdiela Hermida Duhamel and Bryan Dimas, represents a diverse group within the animation, VFX and gaming industries and is dedicated to uniting a talented pool of innovators with heart to create exceptional stories across multiple platforms.

The LALIFF Animation Program, co-curated by LatinX in Animation, is a celebration of achievements and excellent talent featured in animation and the animation industry. By organizing events that highlight, recognize and celebrate the work of Latinx creatives, LXiA develops opportunities to network, engage, educate, grow and inspire the next generation of animation professionals.

LALIFF’s past animation programming, which premiered in 2021, emerged as a day dedicated to animation. Its overwhelming success in past years has contributed to the expansion of Animation Day to an integral part to LALIFF that will include a variety of animation events throughout the entire festival. The animation celebration is made possible with the support of sponsors including Netflix, Cartoon Network Studios, Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Sony Pictures Animation, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Bros. Discovery Access.

June 1 & 2, Industry Writing for Animation Workshops (Virtual)

Ever wonder what sets screenwriting for animation apart from the rest of the entertainment industry? Thinking of making the switch to emerge as a writer for animation? Well, for industry professionals LALIFF and LatinX in Animation will be presenting multiple writing workshop opportunities directly from animation studios!

To kick off the animation programming, Netflix will be presenting their Writing for Animation Presentation with LALIFF and LXiA. The second interactive workshop will be a Writing for Animation Television with the Nickelodeon Writing Program. Led by Kate Blatchford (S. Manager of Creative Talent Development & Outreach, Nickelodeon Animation Studio), this workshop is open to LXiA members and is designed to offer advice, education and practice for writers interested in learning and entering the world of screenwriting suited for the animation industry. Both seminars are developed to assist and prepare emerging Latinx writers with the unique skills to help them officially land their first writing gig in the animation industry.

June 2, In-Person Panel Discussions (Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel)

This year’s LALIFF will host more LXiA in-person panel discussions than ever before! Featuring engaging panel talks with animation industry professionals and trailblazers from studios including Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Television Animation. These in-person panels will discuss a range of topics, such as upcoming animated films featuring Latinx storylines, providing insight on how to develop a story fit for a world-renowned animation studio, and how Latinx leadership can influence the direction of TV Animation.

In-person panels will include the following studios and speakers:

• Panel Discussion with Warner Bros. Animation featuring guest speaker Juan Meza-Leon (director of the upcoming animated feature Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires), moderated by Jen Hurler (Creative Production Assistant).
• “Creating Magic at Disney Animation” panel discussion with Walt Disney Animation Studios will feature a conversation about how movies are made through collaboration, iteration and innovation — from story through production. Speakers Juan Pablo Reyes (co-producer), Albert Ramirez (production manager) and Jasmine Reed (production supervisor) will share insights and examples from several animated films, as well as the teaser trailer for their latest project, Disney’s next animated feature, Wish. Moderated by the film’s production coordinator, Natalia Adame Mendoza.
• “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Latinx Leadership and Influences” Join the creative team behind Disney Channel’s Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur as they discuss how they developed the Latinx characters and storylines within the series. Moderated by Pilar Flynn (co-executive producer), panelists include Flynn alongside her colleagues Rafael Chaidez (line producer), Jose Lopez (lead character designer), Luciano Herrera (background designer) and Sandra Powers (lead editor).

June 2, Virtual Chats “Cafecitos”

In addition to the in-person panel discussions, LALIFF and LXiA will continue to host live-streamed and or pre-recorded virtual Cafecitos. Attendees are invited to join animation panelists as LXiA spotlights engaging and insightful conversations between industry professionals from studios, including Disney Television Animation. “Cafecito” discussions will be virtually presented on LALIFF’s YouTube Channel throughout the festival dates. They will include the following studios and speakers:

• Cafecito One on One with guest speaker Natasha Kline (creator and executive producer on Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series Primos), who will share her own animation journey, going from story artist to showrunner. Moderated by Angela M. Sánchez (staff writer).
• Fireside Cafecito with guest speaker Tito Ortiz (creative executive), who will share his journey in animation as a creative executive leader within the industry. Moderated by Zulema Uriarte (Director, Inclusion & Diversity Strategy, Netflix), learn about what it takes to set yourself up for a successful career in animation.

June 2, 1 – 4 p.m., Virtual Portfolio Reviews

Open to participating LXiA Members, LatinX in Animation will return with industry programming offering Virtual Portfolio Reviews with even more participating animation studios than before! Virtual Portfolio reviews will be performed by animation studio recruiters from the following studios:

• Cartoon Network Studios
• Disney Television Animation
• DreamWorks Animation
• Netflix Animation
• Nickelodeon Animation Studio
• Sony Pictures Animation
• Titmouse
• Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Warner Bros. Animation

June 2, 4 – 6 p.m., LALIFF & LXiA Networking Happy Hour

Sponsored by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, LALIFF & LXiA present an industry networking event accessible open to selected filmmakers in attendance. The Networking Happy Hour is open to LALIFF filmmakers, festival passholders, and LXiA members through RSVP. The Happy Hour Mixer is an opportunity for the animation community and industry to socialize, and make connections with industry professionals who share the same passion for animation as you!

June 2 Spark Animation Grant Shorts + Animated Shorts Program

On Friday, LALIFF and LXiA will  present the highly anticipated Animated Shorts Program to be screened in-person at the Chinese Theater. With LALIFF’s mission to showcase Latinx talent, the program will feature the unique works of talented filmmakers across Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, France, Argentina, Spain, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and the U.S. This Animation Shorts Program is particularly special as it will also serve as a special screening of the first LXiA Spark Animation Grant Shorts! The LXiA Spark Grant sponsored by Netflix aims to uplift the presence of Latinx animation filmmakers, drawing attention to their unique ideas and perspectives.

The Animated Shorts Program jury consists of Natasha Kline (creator/EP, Primos, Disney Television Animation), Octavio Rodriguez (director, DreamWorks Animation) and Karissa Valencia (creator/ showrunner, Netflix). The selected all-around best animated short will be awarded Best Animated Short Film, with a $2,000 prize sponsored by Ad Astra Media, a Wacom Cintiq presented by Wacom, and a one-year license to animation software from Toon Boom Animation. LXiA will be celebrating guests along with our filmmakers by raffling a Wacom One to two lucky audience members who attend the Animated Shorts Program in person!

LALIFF Animated Short Films Program 2023

• Ashkasha – Lara Maltz (Spain/Argentina)
• Back to Normal – Cecilia De Jesus (U.S.)
• Blanket of Words – Carlos Zerpa & Jacobo Albán & Beltrán Pérez (Columbia/ Venezuela/ France)
• Brujas – Adrian Sandoval (U.S.)
• Go Ahead – Mónica Santillana (Guatemala)
• La Calesita – Augusto Schillaci (Argentina/Canada)
• La Curandera Cumbiambera – Ivan Flores (U.S)
• Lucky Brave’s Sunshine – CHOGRIN (Joseph Game) & ICHI (Andres Aguilar) (Ecuador)
• Song of the Lake– Carlos Sallas & Ariana Navarrete & Samuel Mendez (Mexico)
• The Borderline – Christian Arredondo Narváez (Mexico)
• The Walls – Bryam Jiménez (Puerto Rico)
• The World’s After – Bryam Jiménez (France)
• To Fall – Florentina Gonzalez (Puerto Rico)
• Urie – Anthony Gallego (U.S)

June 2 Animated Feature Film Screening

To end the evening of June 2, LALIFF will screen the U.S. premiere of the animated feature film The Other Shape, originating from Colombia and Brazil and directed by Diego Felipe Guzman. The in-person screening will then conclude with a Q&A with the filmmakers.

In the near future, humanity builds an artificial “square paradise” on the surface of the moon, which can only be reached if each one has the appearance and the way of thinking of a square. To achieve this goal, people use “squareism machines”: presses, corrective devices and cosmetic surgeries that mold their bodies like cubes and close their minds to questioning.

Peter Press, probably the most obsessed citizen to fit in that world, has been living with a press in his head for 20 years and has just completed his Squarism process. About to get the passage to the moon, an incident forces him to take the press off, and observe a different form. The new shape shakes the foundations of its doctrine and jeopardizes its entrance to the precious Eden.

June 3 Animated Episodic Screening Premiere

The afternoon of Saturday, June 3, LALIFF feature the screenings of the Episodics program which will also include the animated series Astropackers, directed by Luisa Velasquez, Silvia Prietov and Felipe Rodriguez. Originating from Colombia, the series tells the story of an unexpected backpacking trip across the galaxy, where two unlikely travel companions will live the most absurd and crazy adventures.

Norman, unbeknownst to him, belongs to a rare species known as Camaleonis Dualidaris. As a result of a strange occurrence, he falls into a wormhole and becomes trapped in a meticulous and rigid extraterrestrial. Dissatisfied with his own state of mind, Norman collapses and escapes from Quadropolis falling into an adventure through the unknown galactic universe where he will be reunited with his own species.

June 3 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse YCP Screening

To conclude the animation programming at LALIFF, Sony Pictures Animation will be presenting an exclusive screening of the highly anticipated sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse for Youth Cinema Project. In the film, Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse trilogy.

After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most. Anyone can wear the mask — it’s how you wear it that makes you a hero.

LALIFF will run from Wednesday, May 31 to Sunday, June 4 at the TCL Chinese Theatres and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Animation Programming will be held from June 1-3. For the LALIFF full program, visit laliff.org. Tickets are now available to purchase through the festival’s site here.