Cristela Alonzo is giving a little (NA)LIP) service…
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers has set its key speakers for the 2025 Media Summit, with the 46-year-old Mexican American comedian making the list.
Alonzo will part part in a candid conversation with NALIP Board Chair Karla Pita Loor entitled “More Than a Message: Balancing Art and Activism in Storytelling.”
Alonzo will share how purpose shapes her work and why staying true to your voice is a powerful act in an industry that often demands compromise.
Other Latino artists scheduled to appear at the Media Summit include John Leguizamo, Eugenio Derbez, Kate del Castillo, Cristo Fernandez, Annie Gonzalez and Carlos Santana.
The event will take place from June 26 to 27 at NeueHouse Hollywood.
Derbez and Del Castillo will reunite with Under the Same Moon director Patricia Riggen and screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos nearly 20 years after the film’s release. Under the Same Moon follows a nine-year-old boy across the border as he seeks to reunite with his mother.
Additionally, the NALIP Accelerator Program, an incubator designed to develop content that connects across borders, has been co-programmed with the Summit. Selected producers will engage in 1:1 pitch meetings and curated networking sessions.
The 2025 Media Summit, using the slogan United We Create: Storytelling as Power, will bring together over 400 filmmakers, producers, executives, and artists from across the U.S. and Latin America to explore industry trends, examine the state of Latinos in Hollywood and beyond, and strategize ways to elevate individual success and collective influence.
“There’s a heightened sense of urgency this year across our group. At a time when our presence in the industry and the broader cultural narrative is being so deeply eroded, it’s more critical than ever to come together as a community and with our allies,” shared NALIP board member and summit subcommittee chair Al Madrigal.
“This Summit is not only about advancing Latino representation in the entertainment industry, but also about aligning our strategies, amplifying our voices, and utilizing our platforms to tell our stories, support our communities, and ensure we are not erased,” he added.
“The NALIP Media Summit is an opportunity to cultivate solidarity and collaboration among our creative community in order to elevate Latino storytellers across entertainment,” Diana Luna, executive director of NALIP, said. “We look forward to coming together to share the tools, knowledge, and networks required to succeed in today’s borderless content economy, as well as build the momentum to create lasting change for Latinos in the US and beyond.”
Program highlights include:
John Leguizamo and director/executive producer Ben De Jesus will host a fireside chat to discuss what it takes to develop and launch original shows like NBC’s Leguizamo Does America in today’s rapidly shifting media environment.
Under the Same Moon Reunion — Director Patricia Riggen, screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos, and stars Kate del Castillo and Eugenio Derbez will reflect on the film’s ongoing impact, shaping narratives around migration, motherhood, and humanity. The film is powerful reminder that stories can open hearts when policies close borders.
More Than a Message: Balancing Art and Activism in Storytelling — Cristela Alonzo sees no divide between art and activism—her storytelling is both. In this candid conversation with Karla Pita Loor (Hyphenate Media Group; NALIP Board Chair), Alonzo shares how purpose shapes her work and why staying true to your voice is a powerful act in an industry that often demands compromise.
Creator Strategy Sessions — “From Platforms to Communities: Building Media Ecosystems in the New Era” to “The Independent Playbook: Producing and Distributing Your Own Film,” these panels will feature frontline journalists, documentarians, producers, and narrative strategists sharing ways to responsibly—and impactfully—inform and engage audiences.
Panels include:
“Global Voices, Local Impact” spotlights actors Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso), Annie Gonzalez (Flamin’ Hot), and Carlos Santos (Primo) as they discuss how they use their platforms to shape narratives, challenge perceptions, and expand global representation.
“Greenlight Ready” features producers Gaz Alazraki (Máquina Vega) and Phillip Braun (Mucho Más Media) offering a hands-on guide to preparing your project for international co-production—from pitching and packaging to aligning with market opportunities.
“Powering Productions: Film Commissions as Strategic Partners in Global Storytelling” spotlights how international film commissions are transforming from permitting agencies into vital creative and financial partners for global productions. Leaders from key commissions will discuss how incentive programs, infrastructure investment, and strategic alignment can open doors for filmmakers working across borders. Panelists include Colleen Bell (Deputy Director, California Film Commission), Rachel Kephart (Director, Kansas City Film Office), and Kim Spurgeon (Director, Nevada Film Office), moderated by Julie Ann Crommett (CEO, Collective Moxie).
“Global Gateways” brings together top international film commissions—including those from California, Kansas City, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil—to explore how strategic incentives, infrastructure investment, and cross-border collaboration are transforming their regions into production hubs. Featured speakers include Efraín Casillas (Puerto Rico, CEO/Executive Director, Grand Tales Entertainment), Karla Valderrama (Colombia, Medellín Film Commissioner), Leonardo Edde (Brazil, President, RioFilme), and Marianna Vargas (Dominican Republic, DGCINE Film Commissioner).
The special, filmed at The Majestic theater in Dallas, finds Alonzo in pursuit of happiness.
