Gregorio Davila, Writer, Producer Director, Editor
Gregorio Davila is a writer and all-around visual artist. Much of his work revolves around people of color, mainly Latinos, who he believes are grossly under and misrepresented in media, especially Queer Latinos. He has written, produced, edited and directed two short films: NANCY FROM EAST SIDE CLOVER, which played in twelve festivals around the world and won five awards. And JEANNE CORDOVA: BUTCHES, LIES & FEMINISM which made its festival debut at Outfest Los Angeles in July 2017, winning the JURY AWARD for BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY. JEANNE went has played in five more festivals around the country so far, snagging two more JURY AWARDS and one AUDIENCE AWARD.
Roland Palencia, Executive Producer
Roland Palencia is the Community Benefits Director and a corporate trainer at L.A. Care Health Plan. He is the former Executive Director of Clinica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero and Equality California, the multi-County Regional Director at The California Endowment, and Chief of Operations and Vice-President at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. In 2001, he was honored as a “Local Hero” by KCET (PBS affiliate) and Union Bank of California. In the early 1980s, he became one of the early founders of the LGBTQ Latin@ movement in the greater Los Angeles area. He has been featured in a number of books and publications such as “Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians” by Stuart Timmons and Lilian Faderman (2006). “Central Americans in Los Angeles” by Rosamaria Segura (2010); and “The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle” by Lilian Faderman (2015). A165-page Master thesis by David Guzman, M.A., CSUN, records his life journey as a Guatemalan refugee and community activist. He is also the Executive Producer of “TransVisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story,” a documentary depicting the life and activism of Bamby Salcedo, a nationally renowned Trans Latina activist. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in
History from UCLA and a Masters in the Engaged Humanities from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is a former lecturer at California State University of Northridge, Central American Studies Department.
Mario J. Novoa, Producer
Mario J.Novoa is an educator, entrepreneur, and filmmaker (writer, producer, director, editor), who recently produced three documentaries: “L.A.: A Queer History”, “Nelly Queen: The Life & Times of Jose Sarria”, and “Unidad: Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos”.
Mario J. Novoa’s recent work includes the award-winning documentary shorts, "Nancy From Eastside Clover" and “Jeanne Cordova: Butches, Lies, & Feminism”. Other short and long form content include: “TRONA”, "AY JOSE!", "Art Jackson: Underground Masterpiece", "The Miracle of Tony Davis" (featuring Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr.), "The Baby Cries".
Mario currently teaches film production and producer content for Civic Studios Chicago. Mario has held various education administrative positions at Los Angeles Film School, Columbia College Hollywood, and CalArts. Mario received his film degree from the Los Angeles Film School and a marketing degree from Full Sail University. Mario is set to direct his feature film, “Sympathy for the Devil”, and documentary, “Gay Latino Los Angeles: Portrait of a City”, for Film Bliss Studios. Mario J. Novoa is developing future work featuring immigrant and Latinx LGBTQ stories.
Professional Website: www.mjnovoa.com
Company Website: www.filmbliss.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariojnovoa/
Portfolio link: https://www.mjnovoa.com/mariojnovoafilmlinks