The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) will present the panel series, La Conversación, centering the Afro-Latinx experience. Participants will include Suits and Pearson star Gina Torres, Emmy-nominated Becoming director/cinematographer Nadia Hallgren, Orange Is the New Black’s Selenis Leyva, Arrow’s Rick Gonzalez, comedian Aida Rodriguez, and Negrita filmmaker Magdalena Albizu.

Tiffany Vazquez, who made history as TCM’s first Latina host, will moderate. 

The first of two discussions for National Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latino Heritage Month and Latinx Heritage Month, will take place September 16.

La Conversación will highlight the exclusion of the Afro-Latinx experience in film/TV, particularly its origins and its impact now.

Other hot-button issues include the barriers Afro-Latinx creatives face in Hollywood, diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as the value Afro-Latinx voices add to both Black American and Latinx productions, among others.

“NALIP is thrilled to announce this partnership with AAFCA. Together, our organizations will program a series of Afro-Latinx panels, beginning with this one, to highlight voices from within the community. NALIP strives to provide a platform for Latinx creators to have their stories told and this opportunity in partnership with AAFCA will do just that. The panels allow our community to learn and listen to amazing Afro-Latinx voices in the industry,” said NALIP Executive Director Ben Lopez.

“The African American Film Critics Association is delighted to partner with NALIP on this most important discussion on how race impacts Afro-Latinx creatives and performers. The vestiges of colonialism continue to keep the Afro-Latinx community largely marginalized and ignored within Latin American society, particularly the media. Our goal with this panel is to identify solutions on how these attitudes and perceptions can change,” said AAFA CEO/President Gil Robertson.

To find out more about the discussion and future events, visit aafca.com and nalip.org.


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