Unlocking Latino Representation: Tapping into Billions in Untapped Revenue
Moderator
Jay Torres, Collectivo
Panelists
Ben Odell, 3Pas Studios
Rick Telles, Brass Ring Entertainment
Lynette Coll, LUZ Films
Julian Franco, Fox Entertainment
In Collaboration with
Nevada Film Office
Speakers
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Ben OdellChief Executive Officer, 3Pas Studios
BENJAMIN ODELL is the Chief Executive Officer of 3Pas Studios, co-founded with Eugenio Derbez. In television, Odell is executive producer of the award-winning Apple series, Acapulco, now in its fourth season and Emmy award winning unscripted Amazon show, LOL. He recently produced RADICAL which was the opening night film for the Sundance Film Festival where it won the audience award for Festival Favorite across 111 feature films in all categories. Prior projects include The Valet, How to be a Latin Lover and Overboard. Odell also produced Sangre de Mi Sangre which won the grand jury prize at Sundance and for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and Un Cuento Chino which won Spain’s Academy Award, the Goya. He co-wrote the movie Golpe de Estadio, which was Colombia’s nomination to the Oscar and was nominated for the Goya. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America, the Television Academy of Arts and Science and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. He holds an MFA from Columbia University where he was awarded the Andrew Sarris award for distinguished alumni.
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Jay TorresFounder/CEO, Collectivo
Jay Torres is a visionary producer and director, celebrated for his expertise in VFX, action, and kids’ content across commercials, episodic television, and branded entertainment. He has collaborated with A-list talent including Dwayne Johnson, Eva Longoria, and Jennifer Garner, and worked with major brands like Walmart, Tubi, and Reebok. Jay earned award nominations for his work on Alias and Desperate Housewives and was instrumental in launching Vudu’s original content program, serving as EP/Showrunner on the MGM co-production Mr. Mom. His TEA Award-winning work for Universal Studios and groundbreaking virtual production with Epic Games further highlight his innovative approach to storytelling. A passionate advocate for Latino talent, Jay has served four terms as Co-Chair of the Directors Guild of America’s Latino Committee, tirelessly promoting diversity in film and television.
Jay is also the Founder and CEO of Collectivo, a Las Vegas based, Latino and disabled veteran-owned entertainment studio focused on producing universally-themed, high-quality content that elevates the voices of the underrepresented Latino community. Collectivo operates at the intersection of A24, Tyler Perry Studios, and Macro Media, with a mission to serve the fast-growing Latino as well as general audiences through authentic storytelling. Collectivo is working with local, county, and state agencies to serve as a connecting point, bringing diverse projects to Nevada and advising on the future of potential tax incentives. The company also collaborates with community and educational organizations to create workforce development programs that foster diverse talent.
A US Army veteran, Jay continues to push the boundaries of entertainment, splitting his time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, while remaining committed to innovation and inclusion in the industry.
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Rick TellesProducer, Brass Ring Entertainment
Rick Telles is a seasoned producer known for his innovative and engaging content. With over decades of experience in the industry, Telles has produced a wide range of successful shows across various genres, including reality TV, documentaries, and Feature Films. He is best known for creating and producing the hit VH1 show “The Surreal Life,” which became a cultural phenomenon and set the standard for celebrity reality television. His work is characterized by a keen eye for compelling storytelling and a dedication to high production values. Telles has collaborated with major networks and streaming platforms, earning numerous accolades for his contributions to television. Recently, he executive produced the inspiring film “A Million Miles Away,” starring Michael Pena, further showcasing his versatility and commitment to bringing diverse narratives to the screen. He has two projects in development, “Struck by Genius”, the true story of a man with acquired savant syndrome, and “White but not Equal”, the true story of the landmark supreme court case that seats the first Latino in a jury box. His passion for the craft continues to drive him to explore new frontiers in entertainment.
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Lynette CollCo-CEO, LUZ Films
Lynette Coll is a development executive and producer with a keen eye for talent. After working with her mentor, the late Joel Sadilek (INGRID GOES WEST) and Tina Fey (30 Rock), Lynette found her voice and calling as a young executive. Her credits and previous titles include: Executive Producer of David Lynch presents THE HAPPY WORKER; Producer of STEREOSCOPE, the series (Facebook Watch); Development Executive of ANTARCTICA starring Chlöe Levine and Kimi Montoya (Amazon), and Head of Development and Manager of Acquisitions at Breaker.
Under their LUZ Films banner, Lynette served as one of the producers of Sundance 2024 U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize winner IN THE SUMMERS written and directed by Alessandra Lacorazza and starring Rene Perez Joglar, Sasha Calle, Lio Mehiel & Leslie Grace
Lynette has worked with global, emerging artists such as Eddie Alcazar on PERFECT (executive produced by Steven Soderbergh) and Zeek Earl and Christopher Caldwell on their film PROSPECT (Netflix), starring Sophie Thatcher, Pedro Pascal, and Jay Duplass. Prior to Co-Founding LUZ Films, she was the Head of Development at Effie Brown’s company, Gamechanger Films.
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Julian FrancoPresident, Fox Entertainment
Julian Franco is President at Fox Entertainment. He is based in Los Angeles, and currently leads strategy and operations for the Fox Entertainment, a division of Fox Corporation. Julian joined Fox Corporation in 2023.
Prior to joining Fox. He was a senior executive at Warner Bros. Discovery and WarnerMedia where he led HBO Max with Ads as well as the Direct to Consumer Product for all Ad Supported digital products globally.
Prior to WarnerMedia, he was the GM, AVOD at Walmart where he launched and led the ad-supported efforts of the retail giant’s streaming service, Vudu. In that role, he led teams across original programming, content acquisition, product management, advertising technology, revenue/sales and ad operations.