Jackson Wild and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are proud to present the 2023 Latinx Film Lab, a week-long intensive program for mid-career Latinx filmmakers based in the Southern California and the Baja California, Mexico area.
The Latinx Film Lab will take place from June 2nd to June 9th, 2023, at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. During this time, nine fellows will be selected to work in teams of three, creating short films that highlight some of the Zoo's unique stories. Fellows will work closely with Zoo staff to uncover narratives around various conservation efforts and the animals that reside at the zoo. The participants will learn from well-known natural history filmmakers about how their experience in a different genre can be adapted to tell engaging and intimate natural history and science stories.
The Latinx Film Lab will take place from June 2nd to June 9th, 2023, at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park. During this time, nine fellows will be selected to work in teams of three, creating short films that highlight some of the Zoo's unique stories. Fellows will work closely with Zoo staff to uncover narratives around various conservation efforts and the animals that reside at the zoo. The participants will learn from well-known natural history filmmakers about how their experience in a different genre can be adapted to tell engaging and intimate natural history and science stories.
Gear support generously provided by:
Production support provided by:
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal participant for this program is a mid-career Latinx filmmaker who is interested in expanding the scope of their work to include wildlife, conservation, and science storytelling, or is already involved in that genre.
The participant must be:
- Based in Southern California or Baja California*
- Have experience or is interested in shooting with RED cameras
- Ideally have at least four years of experience in the film or media industry
- Be proficient in English, with Spanish as a bonus, but not required
- And display an interest in learning about the art of science communication, working with scientists, and producing science/conservation content
*Applicants outside or Southern California or Baja California will be considered as long as the applicants can cover travel expenses to and from San Diego, CA.
The participant must be:
- Based in Southern California or Baja California*
- Have experience or is interested in shooting with RED cameras
- Ideally have at least four years of experience in the film or media industry
- Be proficient in English, with Spanish as a bonus, but not required
- And display an interest in learning about the art of science communication, working with scientists, and producing science/conservation content
*Applicants outside or Southern California or Baja California will be considered as long as the applicants can cover travel expenses to and from San Diego, CA.
The Team

Federico Pardo - Instructor
@federicopardophoto / www.federicopardo.com
Colombian biologist, photographer and documentary filmmaker | National Geographic Explorer, 2020
B.S. in biology from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá) and M.F.A. in science and natural history filmmaking from Montana State University (Bozeman). As a filmmaker and cinematographer, Federico specializes on natural history, environmental and human stories. His clients include National Geographic, Univision, All Rise Films, DDC International, Where Next, Plimsoll Productions, Terra Incognita Docs, The Field Museum and Humboldt Institute among others. Federico has received two Emmy Awards (2013 and 2017) and has experience working in most Latin American countries.
As a photographer Federico has documented scientific expeditions in Colombia, Peru and Mozambique and some of his recent photo projects have been exhibited in galleries in Latin America and Europe. As an educator he's led photography and filmmaking workshops for National Geographic Student Expeditions and is the general manager of 20 Fotógrafos photo workshop. Federico is proficient in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
@federicopardophoto / www.federicopardo.com
Colombian biologist, photographer and documentary filmmaker | National Geographic Explorer, 2020
B.S. in biology from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá) and M.F.A. in science and natural history filmmaking from Montana State University (Bozeman). As a filmmaker and cinematographer, Federico specializes on natural history, environmental and human stories. His clients include National Geographic, Univision, All Rise Films, DDC International, Where Next, Plimsoll Productions, Terra Incognita Docs, The Field Museum and Humboldt Institute among others. Federico has received two Emmy Awards (2013 and 2017) and has experience working in most Latin American countries.
As a photographer Federico has documented scientific expeditions in Colombia, Peru and Mozambique and some of his recent photo projects have been exhibited in galleries in Latin America and Europe. As an educator he's led photography and filmmaking workshops for National Geographic Student Expeditions and is the general manager of 20 Fotógrafos photo workshop. Federico is proficient in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.

Mac Cardona - Producer
@macwildreality / www.cwavelabs.com
Mac Cardona is passionate about engaging communities with science and nature, especially those that are still underrepresented in the sciences. With her background in wildlife biology (B.S in Wildlife Biology, HSU), science and nature storytelling (M.S. Biology, HSU), and Latinx community engagement; Mac founded cWave Labs. cWave Labs is a creative lab that helps leverage creative strategies and digital technologies to help communities connect, learn, collaborate and innovate. Mac works in advocacy and program development to help increasing Latinx representation in all kinds of storytelling which includes currently serving as a member of the Jackson Wild Advisory Council.
@macwildreality / www.cwavelabs.com
Mac Cardona is passionate about engaging communities with science and nature, especially those that are still underrepresented in the sciences. With her background in wildlife biology (B.S in Wildlife Biology, HSU), science and nature storytelling (M.S. Biology, HSU), and Latinx community engagement; Mac founded cWave Labs. cWave Labs is a creative lab that helps leverage creative strategies and digital technologies to help communities connect, learn, collaborate and innovate. Mac works in advocacy and program development to help increasing Latinx representation in all kinds of storytelling which includes currently serving as a member of the Jackson Wild Advisory Council.

Julie Busse - Mentor
@howlllvideo / www.juliebusse.com/
Julie Busse is an Emmy-nominated film editor who's editing style tells stories through flow, lyricism, space, and movement. She specializes in nature film, dance film, and films for the arts. She has edited for PBS, Curiosity Stream, WWF, The Guggenheim, XR Studios, and many others. Julie is a member of Think Lemonade, Dancing Camera, and the Jackson Wild Collective. She holds her MFA in film from the University of Colorado Boulder.
@howlllvideo / www.juliebusse.com/
Julie Busse is an Emmy-nominated film editor who's editing style tells stories through flow, lyricism, space, and movement. She specializes in nature film, dance film, and films for the arts. She has edited for PBS, Curiosity Stream, WWF, The Guggenheim, XR Studios, and many others. Julie is a member of Think Lemonade, Dancing Camera, and the Jackson Wild Collective. She holds her MFA in film from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Important Dates
Application deadline:
May 7th, 2023
Applicants notified:
May 15th, 2023
Jackson Wild Latinx Film Lab:
June 2-9, 2023
May 7th, 2023
Applicants notified:
May 15th, 2023
Jackson Wild Latinx Film Lab:
June 2-9, 2023
The Schedule
FRIDAY, JUNE 2: Fellows arrive in San Diego and seminars begin midday
MONDAY, JUNE 5: In-the-field production begins
FRIDAY, JUNE 9: Mini docs premiere
FRIDAY, JUNE 9: Fellows check out of lodging and depart
MONDAY, JUNE 5: In-the-field production begins
FRIDAY, JUNE 9: Mini docs premiere
FRIDAY, JUNE 9: Fellows check out of lodging and depart
Participants receive:
- JUST ADDED: Participation Stipend of at least $300 (hopefully more!)
- A modest travel stipend to/from San Diego
- Lodging and most meals (Friday, June 2 through Fri, June 9)
- Ground transportation during Lab
Photos from the Santiago Wild Media Lab, March 2023