Introducing Our New TLL Team!

Hi!

It’s me, Kim Hoyos, founder of the Light Leaks and my oh my do I have some exciting news to share…. The Light Leaks is no longer just me- it’s now a full fledged volunteer team of 11 incredible people!

For the past ~4 years this was a solo endeavor with me running social, editorial, events, the online store, and the Patreon. Though I worked on the site alone, it never truly felt like that because I was constantly collaborating with freelance writers, video editors and directors, and illustrators, while interviewing rising and established creators. I also had 4 wonderful interns help out when semesters aligned to do so. 

I never had a team for a lot of reasons, some personal and some professional but now, what’s important is that The Light Leaks is growing. It’s been a really beautiful process for me, as a daughter of immigrants, to start my own company alone based on the beliefs I have and the impact I want to make. My experiences have taught me so much about running a business and also so much about myself. I’m proud of what The Light Leaks has been able to accomplish so far and that’ll only get better with the new team. 

We’ve already started planning out 2021 and have so much in the works. From folks dedicated to working on a biweekly newsletter to others focused on partnerships- this group of individuals come from a variety of backgrounds, skillsets, and locations. Some parts of TLL will change, some will stay the same, but no matter what this team means TLL will be stronger as a community and have a better future. Check out our about page to view their full bios but below are the awesome individuals bringing their ideas and talents to TLL and a little from them about why they wanted to join!

• Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp - Content Curation / Partnerships

  • “I think that this will be a great way to connect with other creatives due to the exact nature of the mission/community! The experience creating partnerships and curating content will also be helpful in gaining and strengthening skills that will help me grow as a producer (and as a person who wants to learn the "business" side of film, campaigns, etc).”

• Daniela Espinosa - Content Curation / Partnerships

  • “I believe TLL will help me really focus in on the strategizing aspect of my professional goals, giving me room to really learn how to build up a brand and transform it.”

• Wandy Felicita Ortiz - Newsletter

  • “I want to help create a space that allows more voices to be heard, more perspectives to been seen, and for the art we consume to be more of a mirror to the real world in a way that highlights the beautiful individuality of each of us. We have so much to learn from one another, and I think that the best ways we can learn that are by living, and letting media become a sounding board for others.”

• Justina Avent - Newsletter

  • “I'm proud that my ethics and values are reflected in TLL mission and environment. I believe in inclusivity and community organizing and valuing the different perspectives every person on the team brings. Oftentimes in workplaces, young people are made to feel small and insignificant. I'm happy to know that my voice and ideas will be encouraged here. TLL seems like a very supportive and nourishing space, one that will value my needs and mental health, which is rare.”

• Lauren Lee - Youtube / Social

  • “It is a dream come true to be joining the Light Leaks on their mission to help women and gender non-conforming filmmakers harness the power of art and use it to make the world more representative of the vastness of human experience!”

• Maria Lozano - Social

  • “I’m very proud to be a part of an organization that supports women and GNC filmmakers. They don’t get the recognition they deserve in mainstream media and TLL allows their voices to be heard by providing them with an uplifting community that highlights their accomplishments.”

• Brielle Wyka - Social

  • “Diversity has always been something incredibly important to me, and media had been my passion for as long as I can remember, so I'm so proud to be a part of an organization that advocates for diversity in the field I love most.”

• Kate Piscetta - Graphics

  • “I want to do branding/design full time. TLL will give me hands on experience, teaching me about the industry while also honing in on my skills.”

• Shamira Brown - Graphics / Social Strategy

  • “Everyone deserves a seat at the table. We should ourselves in movies, tv shows, and of course commercials. Representation is vital because we need the full story to be told. Representation is important because we need dismantle the stereotypes that have been placed on various groups. Media has to represent how diverse our society is.”

• Mercedes Gonzalez - Research

  • “TLL is a great place for me to share my passions and knowledge with others, as well as work with a diverse team virtually. TLL will help me explore aspects of not only film/television/media, but also the different sides of running a business.”

• Brynna Arens - Editorial

  • “This site is so inspiring and I am beyond excited to help build this community of women and GNC filmmakers! TLL gives us a place to learn and thrive together and allows us to feel seen, heard, and valued.”

Thank you for supporting the Light Leaks, I truly cannot wait for what’s to come.

With love,
Kim Hoyos, TLL Founder