On 5th June, Film Locos hosted a vibrant networking event at the Film & TV Charity Headquarters in Soho, London.
This gathering marked another milestone in Film Locos’ ongoing commitment to amplifying Latin American voices within the UK film industry. It celebrated the continued support from the Film & TV Charity’s Reel Impact programme.
Victor Rios: Actor, Producer, and Seven Years of Leadership and Progress
Victor Rios, an accomplished actor and producer, has been leading Film Locos for nearly seven years, steadily building a platform that represents and empowers British Latinx and Global Majority filmmakers. Over this period, Film Locos has produced around 20 short films, spotlighting stories that reflect the British Latino experience and broader underrepresented communities. His unwavering dedication has helped bring these voices to the forefront of the UK film industry.
Film Locos Hub and the Power of Collaboration
Thanks to the support of the Film & TV Charity’s Reel Impact programme, Film Locos has launched the Film Locos Hub. This creative platform continues the organisation’s mission by offering masterclasses, industry events, and professional development for emerging filmmakers. This initiative is co-led by Victor Rios and Maysa Monção, who recently joined as Project Manager. A BAFTA and Production Guild member, Maysa brings years of industry experience in both criticism and post-production, with credits spanning film, TV, and documentaries. Her leadership and insight have been key to shaping the Hub’s programme, which runs until October 2025 and invites creatives to get involved.
Event Highlights & Guest Speakers
The event featured an inspiring lineup of speakers, including:
- Victor Rios, Founder of Film Locos
- Maysa Monção, Film Locos Hub Project Manager
- Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film & TV Charity
- Anita Herbert, Reel Impact Programme Manager, Film & TV Charity
- Annika Allen, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at All3Media and Black Leaders in TV
- Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, Founder of the British Urban Film Festival
- Claudia Lopez, EAL Teacher at St Gabriel’s College, representing a student body with 30% Latin American pupils
Short Films, Music, and Industry Insight
Guests were treated to a vibrant cultural programme, including:
- Trailer of Closer Than Ever, a short film developed with Latin American students at St Gabriel’s College, introduced by Claudia Lopez
- You Are Just My Type, a short film from Film Locos Season 1, introduced by Djarnee Louis
- Trailer of El Bananero, a comedy salsa feature film in development by Jean Paul Arroyave
- Live performance by Fruta Prohibida, a Colombian band
In Development: El Bananero
One of the most talked-about moments of the evening was the presentation of El Bananero, a feature-length comedy salsa film currently in development. Blending sharp humour and vibrant music, the film represents Film Locos’ continued commitment to telling original, culturally rich stories.
Get Involved
The Film Locos Hub continues through October and offers a series of masterclasses, events, and networking opportunities to help new voices find their footing in the UK film industry. With the backing of the Reel Impact programme by the Film & TV Charity, the Hub is open to creatives ready to shape the next wave of inclusive storytelling.
