Girls Night Out

Mercury and NALIP (the National Association of Latino Independent Producers) partnered to find 6 aspiring Latino filmmakers to create short films under the theme "Much to Discover", touching upon the Latino experience in the US. Promising filmmakers from across the country submitted original screenplays, and judges were charged with the task of evaluating an unanticipated number of highly competitive submissions. NALIP selected a review committee of industry experts to select 10 semifinalists. A Blue Ribbon Panel made up of top-notch Latino directors, including Rodrigo Garcia (Nine Lives, Six Feet Under), Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City) and Gabriela Tagliavani (Ladies Night), selected 6 finalists-3 students and 3 emerging professionals. The finalists have received $10,000 each to produce a 3-5 minute short film in digital video (DV), and are being mentored by members of the Blue Ribbon Panel, as well as other renowned industry experts.