“We are thrilled to introduce our fourth class of fellows who embody the incredible diversity and untapped potential within our community.”
Latino Film Institute Reveals 2024 Inclusion Fellows
“Hollywood’s pipeline problem is a myth—and you only have to look as far as the talented BIPOC creatives who make up the first class of Flip the Script to see that...”
Creator+ Unveils Inaugural Class of Emerging BIPOC Filmmakers for its Diversity Focused Short Film Fund ‘Flip the Script’
“The HBO Short Film Award Showcase was first launched 25 years ago and is now held as one of the most prestigious short film competitions across the globe.”
ABFF Announces 2023 HBO Short Film Finalists
“Among the selections are the Los Angeles premieres of five new short films by emerging talent from São Paulo, Brazil, the Los Angeles Premiere of “When Big People Lie” by NFMLA’s Best New Filmmaker of 2024 Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz.”
NewFilmmakersLA Announces 2024 InFocus: Latinx and Hispanic Cinema Fest Lineup
“The impressive films showcased are a testament to the success of these initiatives.”
“These prestigious festivals often serve as a launchpad for awards season, and we take immense pride in recognizing the creative accomplishments of AFI Alumni on the world stage.”
Celebrating Emerging Latinx Filmmakers: Latino Film Institute Fellows Debut at LALIFF
Celebrating AFI Alumni at the 2024 Venice, Toronto, and Telluride Film Festivals
“[When Big People Lie] is definitely a reflection on the harsh experiences of what an immigrant goes through no matter which country that you’re from and the fact that it’s harder on certain communities and certain cultures with that threat of immigration and it’s so tough on families and I just thought [Gianfranco] captured the stakes.”
NFMLA Stage 5 When Big People Lie Interview Presented by MovieMaker & FilmLA
“The recipients of [the Founding Circle] award for 2023 were Monique Derouselle, Gian Smith, Chris Evans, Clayton Henderson, Gianfranco Fernandez-Ruiz, Kaitlyn Brown and Jacob & Jaya McSharma.”
Winners of 2023 Louisiana Film Prize
“Filmmaker Gianfranco Fernandez-Ruiz moved audiences to tears as his 15-minute film “Jerome” showcased the intense feelings of a young man suffering from the absence of a father in his life.”
Manly Film Festival: With BHERC, Oakland Event Raises Funds for Tech Exchange
“ We are excited to announce that over a dozen short films by AFI Conservatory Alumni have achieved Oscar®-qualifying status for the 96th Academy Awards®.”
Oscar Qualifying Short Films by AFI Alumni
“I was already fortunate to have been nominated and now, as I receive this award from NFMLA, I am filled with a profound feeling of humility. ”
“I prioritize working with composers early—often before a production designer, sometimes before my cinematographer, before I’ve even met with department heads.”
2024 Best of NFMLA Award Winners Include Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
Writer & Director Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
“As a creative, the most important dollar isn’t always your first. It certainly wasn’t mine, but it’s an indicator that with training and time you have a real prospect to turn your life into a meaningful dedication to a craft you believe in. ”
Meet Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
“I’m definitely interested in seeing what kind of stories you plan to create...”
Dealing with How to Identify as an Afro-Latino | Blacktinidad
“The emotionally intense “Dead Flesh” from writer-director Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz is a mesmerizing film from its very first moments despite being a bit murky in its messaging. Rather than anything resembling a plot, the story is more of an internal reckoning.”
Review of Dead Flesh
“There’s a lot of components to this, everything from the set [of Saborrrr!] and the scene setups... This is a complex short film.”
NFMLA Stage 5 SABORRRRR! Interview Presented by MovieMaker & FilmLA
“To Fernandez-Ruiz, the attempted erasure of history has nothing to do with politics — it feels like a personal attack.”
Black Voices: Utah Filmmaker Says You Can’t Fight Against Racism Silently
“A fine sharp comedy with well-place tinges of horror elements, whicb earned him best director honors at the 2024 Zepstone International Film Festival Awards.”
Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival: 21st Edition of Internationally Known Fear No Film Returns with 73 Short Films from Around the World
“[Gianfranco’s] known for developing very character driven pieces that really focus on the story.”
Meet 2023 Louisiana Film Prize Filmmakers
“I do have kind of a kick for the emotional theatrics, call it the Italian in me, you know, the ‘Cinema Paradiso’, the ‘Il Postino’ and all that kind of jazz. It’s like my work.”
The Death of Cinema & Moonstruck with Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz
“Incarceration is something like we need to keep talking about...but on top of all that you rooted for all the single moms.”
NFMLA Stage 5 Jerome Interview Presented by MovieMaker & FilmLA
“My Latine heritage kind of has the anti-effect of most filmmakers. I focus on telling stories where the ingredients make more than rice and beans, while reminding myself that rice and beans is what raised me.”
Latine Heritage Month