PROGRAMS
2026-2027 LFI SPARK ANIMATION FELLOWSHIP
Juan Luis Bravo
Juan Luis Bravo is a writer, director, and storyboard artist with a passion for stories about relationships and everyday beauty. Raised on cartoons and nature walks in Sacramento, CA, he went on to study at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Juan Luis has worked as a video producer for Disney, as an assistant editor on multiple Marvel Animation shows, and as a storyboard artist on animated titles like Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures and LEGO Dreamzzz. As a director, he screened his work at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Hollyshorts, the Napa Valley Film Festival, and elsewhere. He was part of the inaugural cohort of Hola Mexico’s Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today and recently completed the Fred Rogers Writers Fellowship in preschool television writing.
As a filmmaker, Juan Luis aims to amplify marginalized narratives while celebrating the everyday human experience, depicting the quiet facets of living with dignity and reverence. As a teacher, he enjoys passing along his learned experience and has mentored for organizations including Women in Animation and Story for All.
Title of Project: La Biblia de Papa Chuy
Julisse Tinoco
Julisse Marie Tinoco is a Puerto Rican animator from Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. She was raised in an all-female household where she learned the value of hard work and determination at an early age. Her thesis film “Kenni Koala” was selected in 2021 for San Diego International Kids Film Festival and Athens International Children’s Film Festival. After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, she faced the animation industry head on. Getting her start as an Assistant Animator on PBS’s “City Island” pilot, Julisse used this as a jumping pad for many gigs to come. Working on commercial spots, music videos, tv and web series, PSAs and various short films. Some of her credits include features such as “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” and the Sundance award-winning documentary “TheyDream”.
Throughout her career, she has been involved in various projects led by other Puerto Rican artists, like PoderLatinX’s voter PSAs featuring La Borinqueña, an iconic Boricua superhero. Helping to foster diverse stories is a passion of hers, not only those related to her own identities, but everyone’s. She deeply recognizes the value in audiences having the ability to see themselves represented across all media, as well as the importance of learning about others and their cultures in this way. Julisse loves to help people bring their stories to life, and is now developing her own stories to bring to the world. In doing this she hopes to bolster femme voices and stories in particular, as a thanks to her mother, grandmother and sisters.
Title of Project: Mágica Magia Mía
Maria Antonia Jaramillo
Maria Antonia Jaramillo is a Colombian storyboard artist and filmmaker who has worked as a Storyboard Artist for several South American companies and participated in the Story Internship Program at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2024. She earned a BFA in Character Animation from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 2025. During that time, she created several student films, which helped her gain a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process, from ideation to production. It also strengthened her unique artistic voice and sparked a passion for creating her own personal and original stories. Maria is dedicated to the art of visual storytelling and enjoys the problem-solving aspect involved in crafting stories; her storytelling sensitivities are deeply influenced by her personal experiences and culture. Her work aims to entertain through stories that incorporate magic realism, flawed yet believable characters, and emotional depth that resonate with others.
Title of Project: Little Candy Girl
Miguel Rodrick
Miguel Rodrick is an Oscar-qualified filmmaker whose latest short, No Vacancy, won the top animation prize at LALIFF and was nominated for Animation of the Year at Short of the Week. His short films, documentaries, and music videos have screened at more than fifty festivals worldwide. He has served as creative director and motion designer on campaigns for global brands like Google, Elastic, and Squarespace, and is a published cultural essayist in Colombia.
Originally from Colombia, Miguel relocated to the United States in 2012. He began as a classical music composer before his love of storytelling drew him to film, animation, and design.
Title of Project: #4
Tyler Muñoz
Tyler Munoz is a Latino/Filipino-American filmmaker and animation producer from Diamond Bar, California. While pursuing his degree in animation at California State University Long Beach, Tyler assisted with production on multiple student films, and was involved in The Animated Film Production Association, a student organization dedicated to fostering the animation community at CSULB. He would later direct his own short film, “LITTLE GREEN MEN: QUIP’S IN CHARGE”, a 9-minute comedy that later screened at NewFilmmakers Los Angeles. During his senior year, Tyler also directed “DUNGEON DRAW: FRAME AND FORTUNE”, a public art gallery showcasing students’ artwork and films. Outside of animation, Tyler interned at the Arts Council for Long Beach, a nonprofit organization focused on the cultivation of art throughout the city. Since graduation, Tyler has been involved in multiple projects. This includes animating a PSA for Pacific Asian Counseling Services’ #StopTheHate campaign, and assisting with production on “Hugs and Kisses”, a film funded through Visual Communications’ Armed With a Camera Fellowship Grant. The film recently premiered at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Now, Tyler is excited to direct “This Must Be Heaven”, a sci-fi journey into his experiences and struggles with identity, community, loss, and love – a film idea he’s been developing since high school. When he’s not working on art, you can find Tyler at a local jam band show or watching hockey.
Title of Project: This Must Be Heaven
MORE NEWS
Nuestras Historias Importan: A Conversation with Liliana Hueso
Latino Film Institute Announces LFI Spark Animation Fellowship’s 5th Cohort
- Animation Magazine
