Rubén Obregón is a first-generation Mexican-American born in San Antonio, Texas. Following high school, Ruben served in the U.S. Navy as an air traffic controller. Four years later, Ruben enrolled at UT Austin where he completed a BA in Film. Ruben subsequently received his MFA in Film Production from UCLA, where he focused on writing, directing and cinematography. His work on numerous short films have showcased at festivals worldwide. He is currently developing the feature-length version of his award winning short, LA PRIMAVERA.

THE FILM:
This award winning short film is a lyrical telling of an intimate encounter between two people, LA PRIMAVERA delves into the fleeting moments of uncertainty and flux that test the bounds of emotional connection.

Contact Ruben:
myspace.com/laprimaveramovie

Douglas Spain captured critical praise and a 1998 Independent Spirit Award nomination for his feature film debut in Fox Searchlight’s Star Maps. In his extensive career he has worked alongside an array of talented directors and actors such as Steven Spielberg, William Friedkin, Tom Hanks, Albert Finney, Kate Hudson, Brittney Murphy, Edward James Olmos, and the great Jack Lemmon to name a few. Spain recently made the appropriate transition behind the camera to produce and direct several short films. His films have premiered at festivals around the nation and in Canada and have awards such as the Judges first choice awards.

THE FILM:
Sincere is his third and most recent short film that shows how true love does take practice. The film ran first place in the first round of Project Breakout. He then had to submit an entirely new film for the second round.

Contact Douglas:
filmmakers@prolatinos.org

Award winning filmmaker Shawna Baca has written and directed a wide range of content including 3:52 starring America Ferrera about a woman’s battles with her inner demons that haunt her.  Her other films have been featured at a variety of prestiegous film festivals and have earned numerous awards. Her talents also earned her a camera package presented to her by Panavision. She was also chosen to participate in the 2006 Producers Guild Diversity Workship and Fox Diversity Writer’s program. Most recently she chosen by Steven Spielberg from 12,000 filmmakers as one of 50 finalists for FOX’s new reality show, “On The Lot.” She is the winner of PLIE’s  Filmmaker Discovery Program New Media Director Award presented by Anheuser-Busch.

THE FILM:
"Isabel” was made for the 2007 FOX TV show, ON THE LOT. Selected from out of 12,000 filmmakers by the show’s executive producer Steven Spielberg, Shawna was one of 300 finalists who were asked to make a three-minute film in one week based off a logline the show provided. In that time she was able to write the screenplay, raise the funding, and cast the actors. Panavision generously gave us the Genesis HD camera to shoot with. It was quite challenging, but rewarding to have Mr. Spielberg hand select this film for ON THE LOT.

Contact Shawna:
shawnabaca.com

Award winning filmmaker Claudia Duran wrote and directed SOFIA FOR NOW, a dramatic feature shot on digital. The film screened at such film festivals as the Boston Roxbury Film Festival, Edward James Olmos' Latino International Film Festival, Pan African Cinema Festival of Cannes, and independent film festival BHLIFE were she received the Up And Coming Filmmaker award.   She is the winner of PLIE’s Filmmaker Discover Program Emerging Film Director Award.

THE FILM:
“Sofia For Now” is the coming-of-age story of a young Latina girl named Sofia. After discovering her mother is still alive after a tragic accident many years ago, Sophia buys a one way ticket to Pittsburgh, PA to find the only family she has left. On her journey she finds more than she could ever imagine: friends, fears, herself, and a place to call home...for now.

Contact Claudia:
claudia@prolatinos.org

Carlos comes out of the Warner Brothers Writers Workshop. Soon thereafter his first feature PLAYING MONA LISA was produced by Sid Sheinberg for Disney. It starred Alicia Witt and Elliot Gould.   His recently work includes several Sci-Fi Channel’s movies including WAR OF THE WORLDS and was also hired by Six Feet Under star Freddy Rodriguez to developed and write LIVING THE BLUES a bio-pic about 70’s rock legends Canned Heat. He graduated from the USC Writing Program and is working on several new projects for film and television.

Contact Carlos:
filmmakers@prolatinos.org

Ted was a former executive at two major studios, including his post as Head of International Co-Productions of Universal Pictures. His humorous and clever writing style soon took Hollywood by storm. He has sold five scripts to Hollywood studios, including HUMBOLT PARK, a Latino film shooting in February 2008 through John Malone’s OVERTURE PICTURES starring John Leguizamo, Alfred Molina, Jay Hernandez and Debra Messing. The film’s about a Puerto Rican family living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago face what may be their last Christmas together. He recently developed and will produce a TV reality series show to Ricochet Television.  Most recently he co-founded the Los Cabos Film Festival slated for its first edition in November 2008.

Contact Ted:
filmmakers@prolatinos.org

Michael Dallatorre gives a raw, edgy, yet sophisticated feel to his cinematography that has branded him as one of the most promising new talents in film. Known in the industry as Mike D, this Nicaragua born director of photography has worked with musician Ziggy Marley, NBA star turned producer, Rick Fox on his feature Hysteria, and Kenan Thompson (of Saturday Night Live.) Mike D continues to work on high budget music videos, television series, and films as Lead Camera Prep Tech at Panavision. His filmmaking aspirations came from his participation in inner city performing arts group called Colors United which was featured in the Oscar nominated documentary Colors straight Up.