As Executive Director, Ben is responsible for the overall design, strategic vision, and execution of all domestic and global endeavors for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, NALIP.
Ben’s portfolio includes the NALIP Media Summit, Latino Media Fest, Latino Media Market, Diverse Women in Media Initiative, #LatinxGoldOpen, and the Latino Lens Incubator Series. Ben serves as a year-round industry liaison and curator of executives and content creators, working with key industry professionals who can accelerate their careers forward and match them with opportunities around the world. Ben’s passion for data-driven initiatives, roots in content creation, and inclusive storytelling led to contributions to industry reports and his role as the Executive Producer of the Latino Lens Incubator brand. Over the last six years, Ben’s role has expanded to SPLATAM content expert, curator of US-based Latinx and LatAm talent, and consultant to major Hollywood studios, networks, and production companies as well as the partnership with Goldhouse and the launch of the #LatinxGoldOpen movement, to amplify Latino-centric projects for financial success on opening weekend.
An advocate and champion of #Diversity, #Inclusion, and #Belonging, Ben has been quoted on domestic and global publications and outlets, such as Variety, Hollywood Reporter, NYT, LA Times, Elle Magazine, and Slate France. In addition, Ben has delivered keynotes and participated in speaking engagements in the world’s leading festivals and markets including Cannes Lions, Telluride, Outfest, New Filmmakers from Spain, DocsDF, DGCine in the Dominican Republic, SANFIC Co-Prod Market in Chile, Manos Tech Venture Summit, MIP Cancún, Sundance, TIFF, SXSW, Tribeca, FICG & Morelia, and European Film Market in Berlin.
Ben entered filmmaking as a UPM, production supervisor, and indie producer. At VientoFuego, he wrote, produced, and directed several Spanish-language feature films. He has served as a field producer at technology expos in Asia, productions in Mexico, and the World Cup in Brazil. He is a graduate in Political Science and LatAm Studies from the University of Arizona.