PROGRAMS

2024-2025 LFI SPARK ANIMATION FELLOWSHIP

Ana Ramírez González

Ana Ramírez González is an artist from Guanajuato, Mexico, with over a decade of storytelling magic at Pixar as a visual development and story artist. Her vibrant career has also included work with Google, DreamWorks, and Nickelodeon. Ana’s creative journey began in France, where she studied Fine Art, and continues in California, where she crafts narratives and picture books for publishers like Disney, Scholastic, Chronicle, and HarperCollins. A New York Times bestselling illustrator and dedicated figure skater, Ana brings heart and whimsy to everything she creates.

Title of Project: Agua Dulce

Juan Abdo

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Juan Abdo got immersed in Computer Animation at the age of 10 and began working professionally in 2014. He graduated as a Film Director at FUC (Fundación Universidad del Cine) in 2018. That same year he moved to the USA to work in the film and animation industry. As an animation generalist, he worked in many productions taking diverse roles from story development to post-production. In 2024 he was selected for the Latino Film Institute’s Animation Directors Fellowship for his short-film Remember the Rats.

Title of Project: Remember The Rats

Alex Z. Avila

Alex Z. Avila has eight years of experience in both live-action and animated television, he specializes in post-production and storyboarding. Alex served as a storyboard artist on Well Versed, a Nickelodeon short-form series that earned a Children and Family Emmy Award for Best Public Service Initiative. In 2024, Alex was awarded the Spark Animation Fellowship to produce his animated short film, The Apricot. Inspired by childhood memories of working on his late grandfather’s apricot farm, the film reflects his passion for personal, character-driven storytelling.

Title of Project: The Apricot

MORE NEWS

Latino Film Institute Announces LFI Spark Animation Fellowship’s 5th Cohort

Animation Magazine

Latino Film Institute (LFI) today announced the fifth cohort of the LFI Spark Animation Fellowship, one of the organization’s signature programs designed to support emerging animation filmmakers. Supported by Netflix, the fellowship provides financial support, mentorship and industry guidance to help filmmakers develop and complete original animated short films.

LATINO FILM INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES FIFTH COHORT OF LFI SPARK ANIMATION FELLOWSHIP

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 29, 2026 – Latino Film Institute (LFI) today announced the fifth cohort of the LFI Spark Animation Fellowship, one of the organization’s signature programs designed to support emerging animation filmmakers. Supported by Netflix, the fellowship provides financial support, mentorship, and industry guidance to help filmmakers develop and complete original animated short films.

JENNIFER LOPEZ TO RECEIVE ADELANTE AWARD FOR INDUSTRY AT OPENING NIGHT OF LALIFF’S 25TH EDITION

The Latino Film Institute (LFI) today unveiled the official artwork and expanded ticketing model for the milestone 25th edition of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), taking place May 27–31, 2026, in Hollywood at the historic TCL Chinese Theatres.