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"Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur": Latinx Leadership and Influences

Private Event

Open to badge holders only

Location: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Join the creative team behind "Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur" as they discuss how their contributions and influences elevated the Latinx characters and storylines within the series. Moderated by Pilar Flynn (producer), panelists include Flynn alongside her colleagues Rafael Chaidez (line producer), Jose Lopez (lead character designer), Luciano Herrera (background designer) and Sandra Powers (lead editor). The series is currently available on Disney Channel and Disney+.

Moderator

Pilar Flynn

Pilar Flynn is producer of Disney Branded Television's "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur," based on Marvel's hit comic books.

Flynn is a twice Emmy® Award-nominated producer for her work on "Elena of Avalor," which follows Disney's first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore.

She began her animation career at DreamWorks Features where she co-produced the award-winning short "First Flight," and worked on the production of films such as "The Road to El Dorado," "Sinbad," "Spirit," "Madagascar" and "Flushed Away." Flynn then went on to serve as line producer of the animated feature films "Mean Margaret" and "Astroboy." She was also co-producer on the groundbreaking R-rated animated feature "Sausage Party," starring Seth Rogen.

Flynn currently serves on the board of directors for the Latino Film Institute, a nonprofit organization founded by actor Edward James Olmos. She is also an appointee on the Television Academy’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. An adventurer herself, Flynn is a native of Chile and Ecuador and spent much of her childhood in countries throughout South America and Europe.

Speakers

Rafael Chaidez

Rafael Chaidez is line producer of Disney Branded Television's "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur," based on Marvel's hit comic books.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Chaidez began his career at DreamWorks Animation where he was first hired as a security guard in the feature animation division. Once immersed in the studio’s creative atmosphere, his passion for pursuing a career in the animation industry was sparked.

He took the leap onto his first feature animation film as a production assistant on "The Road to El Dorado." He continued his growth in production management by working on award-winning feature films, including "Kung Fu Panda," "Puss in Boots," "Shrek Forever After" and "Kung Fu Panda 3." He also served as an associate producer at Skydance Animation before joining Disney Television Animation.

Chaidez is passionate about film producing and enjoys collaborating with creatives and building diverse and inclusive teams. Chaidez is a member of LatinX in Animation where he has participated on industry panels and passionately spends time mentoring youth in order to provide opportunities for the next generation of animation leaders.

Sandra Powers

Emmy® Award-nominated Sandra Powers is lead editor of Disney Branded Television's "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur," based on Marvel's hit comic books.

Powers, a Peruvian-American editor, director, and writer, received a Masters of Fine Arts in film directing from California Institute of the Arts. After graduating, she got her start at Nickelodeon Animation Studios animatic editing on many shows, including “The Legend of Korra” and “Sanjay and Craig.” In 2015, she moved onto "Dora and Friends: Into the City!" as lead editor. Afterward, Powers became lead editor for "Elena of Avalor," which follows Disney's first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore.

In addition to her work in the animation industry, Powers continues to pursue her creative vision through many projects, including art directing an industrial opera feature film, “Black Lodge,” commissioned by Opera Philadelphia. She has directed several music videos for bands including DeVotchKa, Thrillsville and Precious Child. In 2024, she will direct a music theater project, “The Great Soviet Bucket,” scheduled to premiere at Miami Light Project.

Originally from Miami, Florida, Powers is a rare tropical vampire: she enjoys the sun’s grim heat (with a parasol, of course), but truly feels alive surrounded by all the creepy creatures of the night.

Jose Lopez

Emmy® Award winner Jose Lopez is lead character designer of Disney Branded Television's "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur," based on Marvel's hit comic books.

With experience across film, television and video games, Lopez cultivated his signature style early on by working on such animated series as "Godzilla: The Series," "Men in Black: The Series" and "Jackie Chan Adventures." His work on "The Batman" and "Green Lantern: First Flight" earned him critical praise. Clients who continue to request Lopez's work include DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Lego, Google, Activision, Mattel and DC comics.

Lopez launched the video game "Secret Ponchos," which he art directed and co-created for PlayStation. In 2014, Lopez received an Emmy® Award in the Outstanding Individual Achievement in Character Design category for his work on "Transformers: Prime" as an art director/characters and props.

He has published four books, "Mariachi Samurai Vol. 1," "Mariachi Samurai Vol. 2,” “4:00 am,” and “Lines Adorable,” showcasing a collection of drawings and designs.

Luciano Herrera

Illustrator and visual development artist Luciano Herrera is a background designer for Disney Branded Television's "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur," based on Marvel's hit comic books.

After graduating from ArtCenter College of Design, Herrera has worked for various entertainment companies including Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Sony Pictures Animation, Cartoon Network and Titmouse.

Herrera's credits include "DuckTales," "Green Eggs and Ham," "Mike Tyson Mysteries," "DC Super Hero Girls" and "BoJack Horseman."

Originally from Argentina, Herrera currently resides in Los Angeles.



The Latino Film Institute is an educational organization and all networking opportunities during LALIFF are for educational purposes only.

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