#USA #Miami #Walmart #Oz Rodriguez #mitú

Exciting Launch of the Third Season of the mitú | Walmart Filmmaker Mentorship Program

The mitú | Walmart Filmmaker Mentorship Program is returning with an exciting new season aimed at nurturing the next generation of Latino filmmakers. This initiative is particularly timely, as the Latino audience has driven 7 out of the 10 highest-grossing films of 2024. With the growing influence of Latino narratives in cinema, this program aims to showcase the richness, resilience, and creativity inherent in the Latino community.

The upcoming season, premiering this fall in Miami, is designed to empower emerging filmmakers through a condensed 11-week mentorship format. These filmmakers will receive essential tools, resources, and guidance to turn their creative visions into reality. Participants will have access to mitú Studios in Los Angeles, enabling them to produce short films that range from 5 to 10 minutes in length. Each filmmaker will be equipped with a production kit valued at $10,000, ensuring they have everything they need to create compelling narratives.

Leading this year's mentorship is Oz Rodriguez, an Emmy-winning director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his revolutionary work on Saturday Night Live. His involvement adds prestige and expertise, inspiring the new talents to push their creative boundaries and explore themes central to their identities and cultures.

This year, four talented filmmakers were selected through a national call that attracted over 120 applications. Each participant will present original short films that delve into topics such as identity, culture, and transformation. The selected filmmakers are:

• - Sophia Costanzo with Cups
• - Glenís Hunter with 15
• - Eric Ibarra with Two Step
• - Stephanie Osuna-Hernandez with Spill The Frijoles

Despite the substantial contribution of Latino audiences to the box office, Latino voices remain underrepresented in Hollywood. According to the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report 2025, Latino actors landed only 1% of lead roles in the top films last year, whereas Latino directors and writers accounted for just 4.3% and 2.1%, respectively. Notably, audiences of color, including Latinos, purchased the majority of opening weekend tickets for 7 out of the 10 highest-grossing films, spotlighting a critical imbalance in representation.

This disparity underlines the urgent need for mentorship programs like mitú | Walmart, which create platforms where Latino filmmakers can narrate their stories authentically and respond to the increasing demand for representation in entertainment. By providing opportunities for these talented individuals, the program fosters a more inclusive cinematic landscape, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and celebrated.

The short films from this season will debut during the 24th Miami Short Film Festival in November, marking an important milestone in the celebration of culture and creativity. The festival stands as a testament to the dynamic stories that resonate within the Latino community, showcasing the power and impact of storytelling.

As the program unfolds, it not only cultivates artistic talents but also contributes to a larger movement for diversity and inclusion in the film industry. The mentorship initiative by mitú and Walmart signifies a promising shift towards a more representational cinematic future, where every story counts and every voice matters.