As an advocate and supporter of culture and arts, I make a special effort to participate in events that have a positive impact on the artistic community.

One of the year’s highlights is the New York Filmmaker Luncheon, part of the New York Latino International Film Festival. The event is a meet-and-greet hosted by Screen Actors Guild for five years now, spearheaded by Adam Moore, Interim National Director of Affirmative Action & Diversity. This is an important yearly event for the Spanish speaking community where up-and-coming, as well as seasoned filmmakers get a chance to talk about their projects and renew their interest in working under the SAG-AFTRA umbrella, including SAG’s Low Budget Agreements. I’m interested in these contracts as another source of income for actors, and because it is a way to develop and explore our craft while working under protected conditions. Now that I’m participating in the National Low Budget Committee I hope to be able to learn more about these contracts and be helpful in the process.

We welcomed the luncheon’s featured filmmakers of “Under my Nails”, a Spanish language movie made in New York and Puerto Rico under the Ultra-Low Budget Agreement.  The independently funded film was directed by New York-based Puerto Rican Director Arí Manuel Cruz, and written by Kisha Tikina Burgos. The husband and wife team were candid sharing their thoughts with the audience. The movie ended up winning the best Domestic Feature at NYLLF and will be showcased at HBO Latino in December 2012.

Getting a chance to see how these ambitious dreamers get their movies done, and getting up-dated on the independent filmmaking scene in the U.S. and abroad, confirms there is inspiration and movement, this could mean more work opportunities for actors. As much fun as it is, the luncheon is serious business, its casual and friendly flair helps bring filmmakers together. Thinking post-merger, and all the things that still have to be attended to, we need to build on the work that has already been done, and boldly move forward.