America Ferrera urges improved Latino representation in film during Academy keynote

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a room filled with many Hollywood influencers, “Barbie” star America Ferrera used her platform to address an ongoing issue in the industry: the representation of Latinos in film.

“Based on the numbers, the dominant narrative that our industry puts out into the world is that Latinos either don’t exist or they’re poor, criminal immigrants,” the Emmy winner told a crowd gathered Thursday at the Academy’s women’s luncheon.

The actress said she was surprised after learning that Hispanics and Latinos have remained underrepresented in film over the past 16 years, according to a recent report from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.

Although the Hispanic population has grown in the United States, Ferreira noted that the study found that similar growth has not occurred in movies. In films last year, the study found that more than half of the Latinos who appeared on screen were portrayed as criminals.

“Personally, I am devastated again,” said Ferreira, who is originally from Honduras.

Ferrera was the keynote speaker at the event held at the Academy of Motion Picture Museum with attendees including Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, Kristen Stewart, Rita Wilson, Patty Jenkins, Eva Longoria, Lily-Rose Depp, Riley Keough, and Leslie Mann alongside the award-winning GRAMMY AND OSCAR AWARD HER

Ferreira said the industry’s “system of dehumanization” has been felt in many ways in different communities, including Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, African American and LGBTQ+ communities.

“We must be resolute in our commitment to caring for all, demanding opportunity, access, equal pay, investment, and potential for every woman,” Ferreira said.

The actress is known for her roles in Superstore, the animated series How to Train Your Dragon, and Ugly Betty, for which she won an Emmy Award in 2007, becoming the first Latina to win Outstanding Lead Actress. She has also been behind the camera as executive producer and director of the Netflix series “Gentefied” and “I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”

Over the years, Ferreira has been vocal about the lack of Latino representation in the media. With her husband, Ryan Pierce William, and actor Wilmer Valderrama, she helped create Harness, a non-profit organization aimed at building a community among activists and grassroots leaders who leverage the art of storytelling to empower change.

“What I know today is that none of us need to do this alone,” she said. “I know that together we can grow our collective potential, fostering a global community of female storytellers, artists and truth tellers.”

Thursday’s event was held to bring together women from all aspects of the filmmaking community. It was also a celebration of the Academy Gold Fellowship – a one-year program for two emerging filmmakers that will each receive $35,000 plus mentorship.

Annette Bening, an actress and former Academy director, introduced Erica Ng as the recipient of the fellowship. The Engineer is a fifth-generation Chinese-American director.

Before Ferrera’s speech, Academy President Janet Young said the event was cause for celebration and described the energy in the room as “electric” after the Hollywood Actors Union reached an agreement Wednesday with the studios to end their strike that has lasted more than six months.

“We are all eager to get back to work,” Yang said. “We at the Academy are particularly thrilled that our industry is united once again.”

Many of the actors in attendance wore Chanel clothing, jewelry, shoes, makeup and accessories. The luxury fashion brand, which sponsored Thursday’s event, has had a long association with cinema since its founder, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, saw an opportunity to showcase its designs in films and empower women in cinema.

Ferreira praised the event for highlighting women filmmakers and the efforts to provide resources for those participating in the fellowship.

“Through this important fellowship, the Academy and Chanel give filmmakers access to resources and mentorship that transform their careers,” she said. “They are some of the ingredients that have gotten us all to where we are today.”