NALIP’s national conference, “The New Now: Defining the Future Together,” is the most important gathering of Latino film and TV producers and takes place from April 15th – 17th in Newport Beach, CA. “Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for her work, especially 21st century families that include Latino characters and culture.

NALIP expects over 800 established and emerging media professionals to participate in the weekend’s mix of discussions, panels, producing opportunities and networking events, beginning with a keynote lunch interview with James McNamara, Chairman of Pantelion Films; and the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement in Advocacy Award to Gov. Bill Richardson. How Latino content creators increase opportunities in the new mainstream, as writers, producers and directors of film, television and new media, will be discussed throughout the conference.

THE NEW NOW: Defining the Future Together is presented by Time Warner and the National Latino Media Council. The 2010 census has revealed the ascending significance of the bi-lingual, bi-cultural Latino market. Is this the “new mainstream,” as plenary speaker and renowned journalist Guy Garcia has termed it.  The conference will look at how Latino filmmakers attract these viewers, how new technologies can access this audience, and how Latino artists can use these striking new demographics to bring resources to their projects.
 
Co-Chair Rudy Beserra, Vice President of Latin Affairs for the Coca Cola Company, has invited top industry professionals and visionaries to help define a media future that includes Latinos at the table for key decisions and that ensures that these stories are told.  “Tapping into the diversity of Latino life is evolving the media industry daily,” says Beserra.  “NALIP is the conduit in this changing landscape.”   The weekend is jam-packed with plenaries and conversations, workshops and networking events, plus an exciting sneak preview screening of the critically acclaimed film América, presented by SAG’s “Dare to be Diverse” screening series. A Q&A session will follow with América stars Yance Arias, Yareli Arizmendi, Lymari Nadal, writer/ director Sonia Fritz, producer Frances Lausell, composer Daniel Hamuy, and executive producer/co-star Edward James Olmos. 
 
THE NEW NOW will feature esteemed academic and industry leaders, including Academy Award, Emmy Award and Golden Globe winners and nominees, executives from Warner Bros., HBO, Sony, Disney/ABC, Turner, MTV Networks, Telemundo, Lifetime, nuvoTV, PBS, Smithsonian Networks, NBC, CBS, Fox, CPB, WETA, LPB, ITVS, KCET, VMe, A&E, CNN, Showtime, WME and more who will lead the weekend’s conference case studies, workshops and sessions.  Guilds and unions like SAG, WGA, and AFTRA will examine the craft of artists like Peter Murrieta (“The Clique”), Javier Fuentes-Leon (Undertow), and Sonia Fritz (América). There will be workshops for actors and directors, documentary makers and aspiring television writer/producers; as well as the opportunity to sit at the table with top executives. This will be the Latino media event of 2011!
 
NALIP’s The New Now conference is one of seven national signature professional development programs that NALIP produces in order to inspire the next generation of Latino executives, filmmakers, and future leaders. The conference is designed to provide members with a fresh approach to media making, and dynamic opportunities to make strategic alliances with seasoned artists and executives.  NALIP is a vital tool and community support system for any Latino content creator looking to bring positive change, and to make a profound impact on the entertainment industry. NALIP’s community of nearly ten thousand artists in film and television are creating and telling stories about Latinos in the world – sharing, teaching, enjoying and celebrating their important roles within a rich, democratic society is the true spirit of NALIP.

To register or for more information visit www.nalip.org