From Brazil to the Bronx: Meet the Directors Behind the Latino Short Films at Urbanworld

Lack of diversity in the entertainment industry has surprisingly and justifiably become a hot topic these past few weeks. Of course, it’s not news, but there’s something hopeful about recent outcries against the lack of women in late night television and the absurdity behind the fact that a black woman didn’t win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series until 2015.

The Urbanworld Film Festival is ahead of the game in terms of honoring multicultural talent. Diversity is the norm at the New York City festival, which features work from top actors, writers, and filmmakers of color. From Jane the Virgin’s abuelita Ivonne Coll, to American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland, it’s one of the few times in Hollywood where the majority of participants aren’t straight white men. We got the chance to interview some of the talent behind the Latino short films and got them to open up a little about their cultural identity and their favorite movie of the year.

The Urbanworld Film Festival runs September 23 – 27, 2015.