America Ferrera Advocates for Increased Latino Representation in Hollywood at Academy Women's Luncheon

At the Academy Women's Luncheon, America Ferrera shares personal experiences as a Latina in Hollywood and underscores the critical need for Latino representation in films while also celebrating the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

America Ferrera used her keynote speech at the Academy Women's Luncheon to urge for improved Latino representation in Hollywood, stating the narrative typically portrays Latinos as 'nonexistent or poor, immigrant criminals.'
Ferrera pointed to a study by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative that found despite the growing Hispanic population in the U.S., similar growth had not occurred in film. More than half of Latinos on screen last year were depicted as criminals.
Ferrera's speech focused on the need for community and fellowship within the industry, using her experiences being the 'only woman or person of color' in meetings and on set as an example.
The luncheon also celebrated the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike and the recipients of the Academy's Gold Fellowship for Women, a program providing support, mentorship, and networking opportunities to emerging women filmmakers, Erica Eng and July Jung.
Ferrera highlighted the value of women working together in the film industry, drawing on her career experiences and the impact of movements like #MeToo and Time's Up.