PROGRAMS
2025-2026 LFI FELLOWSHIP
Ernest Elijah Govea
Assistant Director
Ernest Govea is a Mexican American director, writer, and first assistant director from Orange County, California. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he earned his B.F.A. in Film Directing from Chapman University. His undergraduate thesis film, Dance Floor ‘86, was officially selected for the 2026 Pasadena International Film Festival.
He was also selected for Season 1 of the Mitú x Walmart Filmmaker Mentorship Program, where he developed his short film Arroz y Frijoles. In addition, he is a participant in the Veterans in Media and Entertainment Fellowship.
Ernest continues to work as an assistant director across short films, commercials, and music videos, while building toward a long-term career as a sought-after AD in the filmmaking industry.
Sophie Emma Wells
Assistant Director
Sophie Emma Wells is a Latina British American director and assistant director who specializes in women- and children-led stories across feature films, documentary series, and vertical mini-series. She believes that becoming an excellent assistant director is essential to becoming a strong director.Sophie also creates and shares short comedic videos on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, offering an inside look at the realities of filmmaking. She is currently documenting her “3-2-1 Project” online, in which she is directing three short films, producing two projects, and writing one feature in 2026.
Her long-term goal is to direct romance, comedy, and animated feature films centered on Latina women, inspired by her favorite role model, her mother.
Nicole Lloyd
Assistant Director
Nicole Lloyd is a writer and filmmaker from Pasadena, California. She earned her MFA in Writing and Producing for Television from Loyola Marymount University. After graduating, she continued working at a local funeral home (yes, you read that right) while also gaining on-set experience as a producer, assistant director, and production designer.
Nicole’s work centers on female voices and explores the quiet, unsettling horrors of girlhood.
Danny Chicon
Assistant Director
Danny Chicon is an NYC-born writer and director, raised on the Lower East Side on the block “that protects the projects from Whole Foods.” As a teenager, he was a licensed amateur boxer before realizing that channeling that energy into storytelling led to fewer black eyes.
That independence carries into his writing and directing, where he explores the dangers of self-reliance and draws from the colorful residents of his neighborhood who taught him the value of community.
His films have been selected for the Warner Bros. NY Latino Film Festival, and he was chosen for the Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Fellowship. He was also named an Annenberg Scholar while pursuing his MFA at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
Maria Pawla Velosa
Assistant Director
Maria Pawla Velosa is a filmmaker, actor’s and producer’s assistant, production assistant, production designer, and outdoor enthusiast. Originally from Pasadena, she earned her film degree from NYU Tisch and now freelances across Southern California, moving between departments to help bring creative visions to life.
Her recent credits include A Tree Is Blue (dir. Dakota Johnson), The Savant (Apple TV+), If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You (A24), Crime 101 (MGM and Sony Pictures), and Dr. Death (NBCUniversal).
Pawla has recently shifted her focus toward production design, earning her first production designer credit through the record label Dead Oceans.
Outside of film, television, and music, she serves as a summer camp director on Catalina Island for the YMCA’s Camp Fox, where she guides children and families in exploring the outdoors.
Gí Tenamá
Assistant Director
Gí Tenamá is a Chicane director, assistant director, and photographer whose work highlights the impact of cultural labor across fashion, wellness, environmentalism, and the arts. After earning an undergraduate degree in Journalism with a minor in Labor Studies, Gí has focused on documenting stories centered on community health, queer and Indigenous resistance, and environmental justice.
They were recently selected as a director in the CBS Leadership Pipeline and as an AD mentee with the Latino Film Institute.
Marian Denisse Cook
Assistant Editor
Marian D. Cook is a Nicaraguan American filmmaker and former journalist. As a reporter, she covered a range of beats while producing documentary work grounded in real-world storytelling. She now focuses on crafting thoughtful, character-driven stories that explore the shared human experience through the lens of her own life, Latinidad, and femininity.
She produced Bad Hombrewood, a short documentary featuring Phil Lord, Guillermo del Toro, Lee Unkrich, and Melissa Fumero. The film received Best Student Documentary at the American Pavilion at the 2022 Cannes International Film Festival, among other honors.
Editing remains her first love. Marian has edited Renacer, a recipient of The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s AI2 Reproductive Rights Accelerator Award, Eclipse Chasers, supported by the Fox Fellowship Grant, and a range of short films spanning comedy to horror.
In her free time, she curates playlists, travels with her Super 8 and 35mm cameras, and scribbles verse on restaurant napkins.
Robert Hernandez
Assistant Editor
Robert Hernandez is a Mexican American filmmaker and editor from Temple City, California. He was first introduced to the world of film as a musician, performing in a string quartet on NBC’s television series Parenthood.
In 2023, he graduated from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. Since then, he has edited films that have screened at festivals including the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival.
Robert currently works as an editor across a range of productions, from documentaries to music videos, with a focus on shaping stories that resonate with audiences from all walks of life.
Julissa Villatoro
Assistant Editor
Julissa Villatoro (she/her) is a Central American American video editor and writer, born and raised in Los Angeles. A dreamer and optimist, she is driven by compelling storytelling and its power to shape culture and society. She is especially passionate about stories of resilience, love, justice, and coming of age, particularly those that center people of color and LGBTQ+ experiences.
During this fellowship, she aims to deepen her experience in post-production while building community with filmmakers who share a commitment to creating meaningful film and television.
Outside of her work, Julissa enjoys fandom and nerd culture, including animation and anime, as well as reading fiction and fantasy, gaming, and drawing illustrations. She also practices Muay Thai.
Christian Scanlon-Corona
Assistant Editor
Christian Scanlon-Corona is an emerging assistant editor with a degree in Film Studies from the University of Colorado. With experience editing projects for individuals and organizations, he is excited to continue building his career in post-production.
He hopes to one day collaborate with BIPOC creators and help bring diverse stories and experiences to the screen.
Outside of his work, Christian enjoys biking and running, and co-organizes local meetups for adult adoptees and heritage Spanish speakers.
Julian Paez-Cruz
Assistant Editor
Julian Paez-Cruz is a first-generation Mexican American writer and director from Las Vegas, Nevada. After earning a degree in Visual Media from Nevada State University, he moved to Los Angeles to further develop his voice as a filmmaker.
Aot Rivera
Assistant Editor
Aot Rivera is an Audiovisual Media graduate, professional photographer, and filmmaker. His work explores the intersections of art, history, culture, and politics, with a focus on amplifying perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media. After years as a documentary photographer, he made his feature film debut with Los Angeles Canvas, which premiered at LALIFF 2025.
Clara Siliezar
Hair and Makeup
Clara is a Mexican-Salvadoran American filmmaker from San Diego, California. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & TV Production from New York University and is currently based in Los Angeles.
A mixed-media artist, Clara has experience in directing, writing, editing, animating, special effects makeup, and more. She especially enjoys creating films within the horror genre and exploring queer and Latinx narratives.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, going to the movies, and knitting or reading.
Kori A Martinez
Hair and Makeup
Kori A. Martinez is a junior at Chapman University majoring in Film and TV Production, with a strong passion for storytelling through character creation. She is actively involved in her school’s music and theatre programs, combining her love for performance and design. Kori is particularly drawn to makeup, hair, and costuming, using these tools to bring characters to life and enhance the visual storytelling of her projects.
Xarah M Golden
Hair and Makeup
Xarah M. Golden is an Afro-Latina Hair & Makeup fellow from East Hollywood. She leads from the heart and is guided by her belief that la cultura cura. With a background in youth empowerment through social work and a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Chicano/a/x Studies from UCSB, she has built a career rooted in community development. She is now transitioning into a creative path and, through the Below the Line Fellowship, looks forward to learning practical skills and building connections that will advance her career — while staying true to her values of amplifying marginalized voices and letting inner beauty shine.
Lucero Medrano
Hair and Makeup
Lucero Medrano is a Peruvian actress who moved to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue her dreams in film. Her passion for the arts began in childhood, and from an early age, she discovered performance as a powerful way to understand the world and express what words sometimes cannot.
She received a scholarship to attend the New York Film Academy, where she built a strong foundation in acting and discovered the power of vulnerability in storytelling. Through her dedication, she earned the opportunity to become a SAG-AFTRA actress, marking an important milestone in her career.
Lucero’s passion for storytelling extends beyond acting into other creative disciplines, including makeup artistry, where she continues to explore ways to bring characters to life. She is committed to creating authentic, meaningful work that resonates deeply with audiences.
MJ DuBarr
Hair and Makeup
Melanie “MJ” DuBarr is a Los Angeles–born and raised, first-generation Latina and proud member of the Latino community. A licensed cosmetologist since 2008 and a 2010 graduate of Make-up Designory (MUD), MJ is a professional makeup artist and hairstylist with a lifelong passion for art. She is dedicated to expressing the stories of creative individuals through her work in makeup and hair.
MJ is committed to continuously growing and refining her craft, bringing versatility to both camera-ready looks and everyday styles. She actively participates in workshops to elevate her skills and remains prepared for any creative opportunity. Based in Santa Clarita, California, she aspires to join Local 706 and build a full-time career in the film and television industry.
Karissa Merino
Hair and Makeup
Karissa Merino is a Mexican-American multifaceted artist from California. She discovered her love for acting at a young age, and makeup and fashion naturally became creative outlets that fueled her passion for storytelling behind the camera.
Karissa currently freelances while also modeling, exercising, playing guitar, and spending time with friends. She considers nurturing her community one of her greatest privileges.
Leslie Socorro Torres
Production Design
Leslie Socorro Torres is a Mexican-American filmmaker and designer whose work explores facets of Chicano/a/x and Latine culture and history, with a particular focus on Latine neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
She is a Ghetto Film School alum and a graduate of Occidental College, and has worked with Park Pictures, Bad Robot, and Amblin Entertainment.
Leslie continues to pursue a career in entertainment with a focus on highlighting and uplifting diverse stories.
Samantha Rios
Production Design
Sam Rios is a Production Design fellow and soon-to-be graduate of CSUN, where she majored in TV Production with a minor in Communications. Inspired by her family’s encouragement to follow her dreams, she is eager to begin a career in the entertainment industry.
Sam was drawn to production design because, while often overlooked on set, it plays a crucial role in world-building and storytelling. She is excited to learn from Sandra and build connections with fellow creatives through the fellowship.
Marialejandra Ariza-Florez
Production Design
Marialejandra Ariza-Florez is a first-generation Colombian production designer and writer based in Los Angeles. She earned a BFA in Graphic Design and Film & Media Arts with a minor in Business and Entertainment from American University. She currently works as an assistant at DPN Talent while contributing to short films and other projects.
With a strong interest in horror, period, and fantasy genres, Marialejandra champions stories that place underrepresented communities in whimsical, outlandish, and heroic narratives. As a production designer, she aims to engage audiences with new worlds and characters’ lived experiences, no matter how improbable or different they may be.
Celine Gudino
Production Design
Celine Gudino is an emerging production designer based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in creating visually immersive, story-driven environments for film and television. She is a recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University’s Film and Television Production program, where she built a strong foundation in translating narrative into intentional, detailed design.
Celine’s production design journey began during her freshman year of college, assisting the art department on a graduate thesis film. Combined with a lifelong love of HGTV and interior design, this experience sparked her passion for the craft and solidified her career path. Since then, she has helped filmmakers bring their creative visions to life on a wide range of projects, from music videos to documentaries to short films. Her approach is rooted in authenticity and a commitment to representing diverse communities with care and specificity.
She is honored to be selected as a Production Design Fellow for the Latino Film Institute’s Below-the-Line Fellowship under the guidance of Sandra B. Rodriguez.
Ace Serrano
Production Design
Ace Serrano is a multidisciplinary first-generation Salvadoran-American queer and trans artist and filmmaker. A soon-to-be graduate of the University of California, Irvine, where they will earn a BFA in Film and Media Studies, Ace has worked on a wide range of film productions in roles including director, writer, DP, AC, editor, graphic designer, and production designer.
Passionate about visual storytelling, Ace contributed to the production design of the short films Xolo (2024–2025 LFI Inclusion Fellowship Film) and Perfect (2024–2025 YCP Alumni Fellowship Film), both of which screened at the 2025 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF).
Ace takes pride in their non-conformity and mixed identity, striving to amplify the “weird, queered, and feared” voices they wished they had seen growing up.
Isac Guzman
Production Design
Isac Guzman is a painter, designer, and emerging production designer with a strong foundation in hands-on, craft-based work. With over 20 years of experience as a custom painter in the motorcycle industry, he developed a keen eye for color, texture, and finish—skills that now inform his work in film.
He began working on independent film sets through set decoration, set painting, and prop work, where he discovered a passion for visual storytelling. An early highlight of his career includes contributing hero prop work for the film Torque, gaining firsthand experience in a professional production environment.
In 2024, Isac transitioned to film full time and trained at Hollywood CPR, focusing on set painting and set dressing while learning industry standards and workflows. He is committed to growing within production design and creating thoughtful, story-driven environments through collaboration and craftsmanship.
Justin W.R. Smith
Production Manager
Justin W.R. Smith is an emerging producer from Philadelphia who shapes culture through storytelling that moves audiences. Guided by an optimistic and charismatic perspective, he focuses on creating work that resonates and inspires.
Brandon Ortiz
Production Manager
Brandon Ortiz is a Nicaraguan Salvadoran American filmmaker from Los Angeles, California, specializing in writing, directing, producing, and production design. His love for storytelling began in high school through street photography, documenting life in his East Hollywood neighborhood. These experiences, along with his upbringing as a Latino in a disadvantaged community, inspired him to create work that explores mental health, racial and economic inequity, and intergenerational trauma.
Brandon earned a BFA in Film and Television Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Recently, he co-directed a documentary about the life of Emmy-nominated actor Richard Cabral with Lau Rodriguez. He looks forward to continuing to push his creative boundaries and amplifying underrepresented stories that first drew him to filmmaking.
Ana Itzel Lopez
Production Manager
Ana Itzel Lopez is a first-generation Latina filmmaker and Production Manager specializing in social impact and community-driven storytelling. From stage to screen, she combines creative empathy with production expertise to amplify voices from the margins. Her mission is to create cinema that sparks conversation and reflects our shared humanity.
Jasmine Pascual
Production Manager
Jasmine Pascual is a filmmaker and emerging Production Manager. In 2025, she produced the short film Perfect with the Youth Cinema Project, where she honed her skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and creative brainstorming. She is excited to bring these skills to her new role, approaching each project with dedication, optimism, and a commitment to learning. Jasmine values input from her peers to ensure efficient and inspiring productions and is eager to engage with her community through storytelling that resonates.
Keith Berlanga
Production Manager
Keith Berlanga is a filmmaker from Fayetteville, Arkansas, who strives to tell unique and imaginative stories. As a Production Manager, he has supported commercials, narrative projects, and limited series. His favorite part of the process is collaborating with his team to solve the spontaneous and unique challenges that arise on set.
