Chicanx Latinx Film Festival

Hipolito (Polo) is co-founder of the Chicanx Latinx Film Festival. Polo was born in Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico in the central state of Durango. He immigrated to the United States in 1979 at the age of 11. He attended Queen of Angels High School Seminary, a preparatory high school nestled in the historic San Fernando Mission. As a seminarian, he was able to connect with his spirituality and developed a strong acumen for social justice. He served in the US Navy and after attended Cal State University at Long Beach. There he received a Political Science BA focused on International Relations and a minor in Communications. Immediately after college, he worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry as a sales representative. With his sales background he worked with Scholastic Book Fairs in developing the Latino school market in the Los Angeles area. His first production, “Flamenco Dreams,” in 2003 was distributed through Universal/Vivendo in partnership with Miles Copeland’s CIA distribution company. He is the Co-Founding Partner and Producer at Open Perspective Media, which produced LA Business Today, a talk show distributed on PBS Affiliate KLCS TV. He is also publisher of the online magazines, Latino Weekly Review and Landscape Latino. He serves as Vice President of the Board of the KLCS Education Foundation and is a Board Member of member of the Media Educators of Los Angeles. He also serves on the Board of SEEfest Film Festival.

Understand Me

Le Conte Middle School

LAUSD

The Snatcher

Santa Ana High School

SAUSD

Zombified

Monte Vista Elementary 

LAUSD

The Rematch

Heninger Elementary 

SAUSD

Phone Wants to Play

Heninger Elementary

SAUSD

Haunted Semester

Andres Duarte K-8

Duarte Unified

The Doll

King Middle School

LAUSD

AVA Episode 1

Santa Ana High School

SAUSD

Tough Love

Mt. Olive High School

Duarte Unified

Mustache Heroes

Heninger Elementary

SAUSD

Separated

Beardslee Academy

Duarte Unified

Taking Risks

Heninger Elementary

SAUSD

Freddie Gutierrez is a Chamoru screen writer and television writer for Nickelodeon’s That Girl Lay Lay and is co-host of Cocktails, Movies, and Stuff on Island City Radio. Writing credits also include Eddie Murphy’s The Pj’s, Santiago of the Seas and Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan.

For over 20 years, Fidel T. Rodriguez has produced several number one rated and award-winning radio programs for Clear Channel and Pacifica Radio. He developed educational conferences; concerts; and facilitated wellness and leadership training for numerous companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. 

Joey Quenga is a multi-talented media executive with an impressive track record in the entertainment industry. With over two decades of experience as a producer, radio personality, and CEO of Island City Media Group, he has earned a reputation as a visionary leader and a creative force in the media world.

Felicia ‘Fe’ Montes (M.A./M.F.A.)

Performer

‘Fe’ Montes is a Xicana Indigenous holistic artivist, femcee, designer, poet, professor and practitioner of the healing arts from East Los Angeles. She is the co-founder and coordinator of Mujeres de Maiz, In Lak Ech, Botanica del Barrio and El MERCADO y Mas. Having organized, performed at and presented at hundreds of campuses and community spaces she is known throughout the Southwest as an established Xicana cultural worker of a new generation. 

Omar G Ramirez, Chicano Artist

Workshop Instructor

Omar Ramirez has been an artist, arts educator, arts administrator, and artist mentor for over 25 years. He is influenced by the decolonial aesthetics, cultural practices, and concepts created by Communities of Color. He was born and raised in Los Angeles’ Mexican and Chicana communities. He continues to work out of the Los Angeles area and has produced works internationally. 

Jessa Calderon, Performer/Artist

Performer

Jessa Calderon is the Land, Water and Climate Justice Director for Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples. Jessa is a songwriter, published author, poet, hip hop artist, performer, basket weaver, paddler, hypnotherapist, massage therapist, energy worker and offers guided meditations. Jessa is also part of the Dream Warriors society and encourages our community and youth to find their healing mentally, physically and spiritually by sharing her words, music and practices. 

Fidel T. Rodriguez, LA vs. Hate

Workshop Instructor

For over 20 years, Fidel has produced several number one rated and award-winning radio programs for Clear Channel and Pacifica Radio. He developed educational conferences; concerts; and facilitated wellness and leadership training for numerous companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Fidel has been an international keynote speaker on topics ranging from culture, racism, shamanism, spirituality, consciousness, wellness, de-colonization, and creating paradigm shifts in thinking. Fidel graduated from the University of Southern California as a McNair Scholar with degrees in Chicano/Latino and African American studies and a certified trainer for Franklin Covey.

Dr. Victor Thompson, Educator 

Workshop Instructor

Dr. Victor Thompson is the founder and first president of National Pacific Islander Education Network (NPIEN), since its beginning in 2001. Dr. Thompson was born in Long Beach, California, son of Victor and Desma Thompson of American Samoa. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Brigham Young University, majoring in Spanish and English as a Second Language, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Doctorate Degree in Institutional Management from Pepperdine University. He retired from the field of education after 36 years in January 2021, as Director of the Division of Student Support Services for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). 

Susan Romero, Chicana Artist

Workshop Instructor

Susan Romero was born in Boyle Heights, California where she still resides today. She has specialized in Day of the Dead since 2003. A short segment featuring Susan Romero was aired on Telemundo’s, “Al Rojo Vivo”. It highlighted her dual Roots from El Salvador and Mexico, and the culture reflected through her expression of art. She has participated in many exhibitions, curated, and organized events across Los Angeles and has also had featured works on billboards and bus stops. 

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