16 students selected for advanced filmmaking mentorship through LFI’s Youth Cinema Project
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 23, 2025 – The Latino Film Institute (LFI) today announced the 2026 cohort of students selected for the Youth Cinema Project (YCP) Alumni Fellowship, a competitive program that provides advanced filmmaking training and professional mentorship to high school students who have completed any YCP course.
Now in its fourth year, the YCP Alumni Fellowship continues to grow in reach and impact. This year’s cohort includes 16 students from Southern California, each demonstrating exceptional creativity, collaboration, and storytelling skill. Traditionally composed of high school students, the program has expanded this year to include one exceptional 8th grader and several early college students, reflecting YCP’s commitment to developing talent based on skill and potential. Each YCP Alumni fellow will be assigned a specific role in the short film’s production and receive one-on-one mentorship tailored to that role, gaining hands-on experience that strengthens their college and scholarship applications.
“Each year, we are inspired by the creativity and dedication of our YCP Alumni fellows,” said Hector Chaira, Director of Education Programs at LFI. “This cohort reflects the continued growth of the program, providing meaningful mentorship and hands-on experience that launch students into future opportunities in film and media.”
The YCP Alumni Fellowship, supported by Amazon MGM Studios and other leading industry partners, represents the most advanced level of participation within the Youth Cinema Project, founded by actor and activist Edward James Olmos and one of five signature programs of the Latino Film Institute. The YCP Alumni Fellowship builds upon the foundation of YCP, which serves students in grades 5 – 12 through four options: YCP Signature, YCP Afterschool, YCP Summer, and the CTE Film Production Pathway.
Each year, YCP Alumni fellows work together to create a high-quality short film that premieres at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) at the TCL Chinese Theatres. The first two YCP Alumni Fellowship films, Sol Supernova and Lost Memories, were produced on smaller sets in Los Angeles and marked the early development of the program. The 2025 YCP Alumni Fellowship film, Perfect, premiered earlier this year at LALIFF and was filmed on the Universal Studios lot, reflecting the creative and professional growth of each new cohort.
Through programs like the YCP Alumni Fellowship, the Youth Cinema Project helps build the Latino Film Institute’s infrastructure for supporting emerging filmmakers, bridging achievement and opportunity gaps in the entertainment industry while giving students the tools, mentorship, and experience to pursue future careers in film and media.
The students in the 2026 cohort are:
- Adrien Gradilla, 11th grade, currently at 32nd Street School/USC Magnet (LAUSD)
- Alixel Hernandez, 9th grade, currently at La Puente High School (HLPUSD)
- Ambar Gutierrez, 12th grade, currently at Vail High School (MUSD)
- Andrew Arias, CSUN freshman, from Montebello High School (MUSD)
- Autumn Aurora Brown, 9th grade, currently at Schurr High School (MUSD)
- Danna Ponce, Pasadena City College freshman, from Schurr High School (MUSD)
- Ephraim Rosales, 8th grade, currently at La Merced Intermediate School (MUSD)
- Harry Lam, 12th grade, currently at Montebello High School (MUSD)
- Jaylene Garcia Vasquez, Santa Monica College freshman, from Montebello High School (MUSD)
- Lily Redenbaugh, 10th grade, currently at Knight High School, from Desert Willow Intermediate (PSD)
- Lilian Ramirez, CSUN freshman, from Bell Gardens Intermediate /Bell Gardens High School (MUSD)
- Mia Muñoz, Mt. SAC freshman, from Schurr High School (MUSD)
- Natalie Davila Salazar, 12th grade, currently at Palmdale Academy Charter School (PSD)
- Olivia Acosta, 12th grade, currently at Palmdale Academy Charter School (PSD)
- Tiffany Lorena Canales, 12th grade, currently at Palmdale Academy Charter School (PSD)
- Yoshuah Carrillo, 12th grade, currently at La Puente High School (HLPUSD)
To learn more about previous YCP Alumni cohorts and their films, visit the Youth Cinema Project website.
About Latino Film Institute (LFI)
The Latino Film Institute (LFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering storytellers and creators and advancing innovation in the entertainment, tech, arts, and media industries. Through its signature programs, including the Youth Cinema Project (YCP), the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), LFI Scholar, LFI Spotlight Series, and LFI Fellowships, LFI provides transformative opportunities and resources to foster Latino talent and voices in media.
For more information on LFI, visit www.latinofilm.org.
About Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF)
The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) is an international event dedicated to excellence in filmmaking. Through film, television, music, and education, LALIFF offers a vibrant stage to celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino cinema through distinct directorial voices and culturally significant narratives.
For more information and updates on LALIFF visit www.laliff.org
Follow LALIFF and LFI on social media:
Instagram: @laliff_ and @lfi
Facebook: facebook.com/laliff
LinkedIn: Latino Film Institute
Media Contact:
Loraine Valverde – Latino Film Institute [email protected]