LatinX in Animation Opens Application Portal for Spark Animation Grant 2023

By Staff Reports

LatinX in Animation (LXiA), a signature program under the Latino Film Institute (LFI), is excited to open submissions for this year’s Spark Animation Grant. The LXiA Spark Animation Grant, sponsored by Netflix, is a program that supports emerging and independent Latinx animation filmmakers and artists towards the production of an independent animated short film. The goal of the program is to uplift the presence of Latinx animation filmmakers, drawing attention to their individually unique ideas and perspectives as well as elevating the creativity and talent that the Latinx community at large has to offer to the animation industry.

LXiA thanks and acknowledges the support and partnership of Netflix. LXiA’s Founder and Co-Director Magdiela Hermida Duhamel remarks, “Netflix’s generous support has helped make this grant possible, and we are honored that they have committed to expanding the grant program for 2023.”

Bryan Dimas, LXiA’s Co-Founder and Co-Director, adds, “We’ve learned a lot of lessons from last year’s grant recipients which has helped us grow this program even more thoughtfully. We can’t wait to see the impact of the Spark Animation Grant among the Latinx animation community.”

The 2023 LXiA Spark Animation Grant program will award three (3) visionary animation filmmakers with a grant of $20,000 each. Grant fellows will be paired with a producer/mentor who will produce, guide and offer their expertise throughout the production of the short film. Grant fellows will also be paired with an industry mentor, including creatives at Netflix, who will offer their advice, experience and guidance through the production of their short film. Fellows will participate in a series of workshops tailored to support them through the various stages of short film production. Completed short films will screen as part of Animation Day at  the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) 2024. 

Netflix’s support of the LXiA Spark Grant builds on their partnership with the Latino Film Institute and is part of Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, an effort to create more behind-the-camera opportunities for underrepresented communities within the TV and film industries. 

Back to Normal creator and Spark Animation Grant recipient for 2022, Cecilia De Jesus, reflects, “For me, receiving the Spark Grant has been an amazing opportunity to express myself as a storyteller and it has given me the chance to work with some incredibly talented people. I can’t wait to see what the next cohort comes up with.” 

Anthony “Ant” Gallegos, creator of Urie and Spark Animation 2022 Grant recipient, echoes, “Receiving this grant has been an excellent opportunity to make a film I’ve wanted to make for a long time. More than that, though, it’s been super inspiring to meet and learn from so many Latinx[s] in the industry, and it makes me even more excited about what I can do after finishing this project. I hope the next recipients feel the same inspiration crafting their art through this program.” 

The LXiA Spark Animation Grant will be awarded to individual Latinx filmmakers living and working in the United States. As the purpose of the grant is to help support a singular, complete short film, the grant will not be available to students or for commercial projects (including music videos, TV show pitches, or web series). 

The Spark Animation Grant is open for submissions beginning Wednesday, January 18 at 12 pm PT, and will close on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:59 pm PT. For more information and updates on LXiA, please visit https://latinxinanimation.org/programs/spark-animation-grant/.

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