Quórum Call: Hispanic arts

The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) along with the District of Columbia’s Office of Latino Affairs (OLA D.C.) have launched a much needed initiative, Quórum Call, to jumpstart the new Latino wave of filmmakers and content providers.

Quórum Call focuses on Latino-themed content with the intent of diversifying the film, TV, and digital landscape. It’s comprised of a two day media pitch and advice from well-established industry professionals, followed by one-on-one content pitches by carefully chosen up-and-coming talent.

SEE ALSO: Debunking the myth that young Latino journalists won’t leave home for jobs

“Quórum is a clarion call to Latino-themed content creators to join our efforts to lay the visual building blocks for establishing a true Latino majority,” says Felix Sanchez, cofounder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

This is a first of its kind for The Foundation; which was cofounded by Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Sonia Braga, Merel Julia, and Washington, D.C. lawyer, Felix Sanchez. In addition to providing scholarships to Hispanic students pursuing graduate degrees in the arts, it holds a yearly gala in celebration of Hispanics in the arts; recognizing and awarding exceptional talent.

The gala will be attended tomorrow in Washington, D.C. by Hispanic leaders, movers and shakers of all industries, stars, artists, politicians, public figures, scholarship recipients, and the NHFA alumni.

Distinguished panelists from various fields were chosen to participate in this year’s first Quórum Call. Among them were Senior Vice President for Diversity and Innovation at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Joseph Tovares, Director of Hispanic Initiatives at Scholastic, Rebeca Barrera, Manager, Multicultural Markets and Engagement at AARP, Monica Cortes-Torres, Creative Manager at Fox Audience Strategy, Gina Reyes, Director of Diversity at CBS Television Network, Barbara Matos, Regional Outreach Coordinator at Independent Television Service, Michon Boston, and Policy Director at The Libre Initiative, Jorge Lima.

“The Quórum for me is a crossroads of like-minded industry professionals coming together and discussing the state of the Hispanic diaspora within the entertainment industry. And ask questions as what can we do as up-and-coming talent on how we can make it better,” says participant writer/director, Dallas King.

SEE ALSO: Hispanic missing from leading roles in Hollywood but that’s not all

The interactive initiative provided a solid launchpad for the careers of the chosen attendees. Professional relationships were made as well as solidified longstanding ones.

The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and the District of Columbia’s Office of Latino Affairs (OLA D.C.) are definitely breaking new grounds by facilitating the progress of Hispanics in the media. By both talking and being about it.

“The Quórum is a fantastic opportunity for executives to be exposed to extraordinary storytellers that can lend authentic voices to our expanding diverse audience,” corroborated Gina Reyes, Creative Manager at Fox Audience Strategy.