Netflix Wants to Boost Diversity in Mexico's Entertainment

Netflix is launching the Netflix Creative Equity Fund in Mexico, committing MX$22 million (US$1.18 million) over two years to support and develop diverse talent within the country's entertainment sector. This initiative, part of a global effort launched by Netflix in 2021, aims to build new pathways for underrepresented communities in film and television.

“The world has fallen in love with Mexico through its characters and stories, and Mexican creators have found in film and television a means to share their perspectives. For over a decade, we have worked closely with them, and today, as we celebrate Mexican Cinema Month, I am excited to announce the launch of the Netflix Creative Equity Fund,” says Alejandra Serna, Vice President of Production, Netflix Latin America.

The fund will support a series of programs designed to identify, train, and offer opportunities to individuals who have yet to find their space in the industry. As part of its initial phase, the fund will finance several key initiatives. 

One of these is a collaboration with the Mexican Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences (AMACC) and Pimienta Films to launch the first executive production training course in Mexico that focuses on diversity. The program will cover industry trends, artistic vision, production models, financing, legal issues, and innovation. National and international experts will be invited to share their experiences with 30 selected participants.

Another component of the initiative involves a partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), and the Cinematographic Training Center (CCC). Together, they will offer a comprehensive set of training courses and master classes at the new CCC campus in Chapultepec. This program is designed to open new job opportunities within the audiovisual industry, and a national call for applications will be launched this fall, focusing on diversity and inclusion. The goal is to select 30 individuals from diverse communities across Mexico to receive training as production assistants.

Netflix is also reinforcing its alliance with the Morelia International Film Festival by co-sponsoring the II Development Lab for Cinematic Projects by Indigenous and Afro-Descendant Filmmakers from Latin America. Scheduled to take place during the festival in October 2024, this laboratory aims to support the development of film projects by Indigenous and Afro-descendant filmmakers from Latin America. Participants will receive essential tools for production, including consulting on budget preparation and financial planning, and guidance on copyright, promotion, distribution, and exhibition.

These initiatives are part of Netflix’s broader effort to enhance the potential of Mexico’s audiovisual industry and ensure that the country's diverse voices and stories continue to gain global visibility. 

“At Netflix, we believe in the importance of finding creators from all corners of the country and with diverse profiles so they can tell stories that reflect the richness and variety of Mexico,” says Serna.