The Light Leaks 2024 Impact Report
The Light Leaks was founded on February 5, 2017, born from a simple yet powerful idea: to create a space where women and nonbinary filmmakers could find support, resources, and community. What began as a passion project in a dorm room has since grown into a dynamic and impactful organization—now an LLC with a nationwide team committed to reshaping the industry.
Over the past eight years, The Light Leaks has evolved from sharing resources to actively shaping the media landscape through video production, education, and advocacy. 2024 tested us—in politics, in business, and in our mission—but through it all, we adapted, strengthened our foundation, and continued pushing forward with courage and conviction. In a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion are under attack, we remain steadfast in our commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices in film and media.
Milestones Over the Years:
Featured on Facebook, Ms. Magazine, People en Espanol, expanding our reach and digital presence.
Officially became an LLC, solidifying our growth as a business.
Launched our Patreon, ensuring sustainability through community support.
Won a business grant, providing resources to scale our impact.
Hosted and partnered in 50+ live and digital events, fostering connections and learning opportunities.
Provided media coverage for major festivals like LALIFF, Asian Cine, Mixed Asian Arts, and the Athena Film Festival.
Reached 15,000 creatives annually through our website, offering valuable resources to filmmakers worldwide.
As we reflect on eight years of impact, we’re reminded that The Light Leaks is more than an organization—it’s a movement. We’re not just documenting change; we’re driving it. With every film we highlight, every resource we share, and every filmmaker we support, we are actively shaping the future of this industry.
And we’re just getting started.
In 2024, we…
Hosted Events that Connected and Empowered:
"Cheers to Us! A Creator Meetup" Bicoastal Event: In January, we kicked off the year with our bicoastal event, bringing together our creative community in both New York and Los Angeles. Attendees connected through music, dancing, and conversation, and afterward gained digital access to a professional database of all attendees as well as our self-growth and professional development guide. It was a celebration to start the year on a high note with confidence and new friends.
Voices in Focus Brunch in los Angeles: In April, we hosted an intimate brunch for our 7th anniversary, where filmmakers shared their experiences and challenges in the industry. A unique connection card game fostered meaningful discussions, followed by recorded testimonials from attendees, capturing their perspectives on the industry.
Women Wednesday at American Cinematheque at the Los Feliz Theatre: Every Wednesday in March, we partnered with the Los Feliz 3 Theatre to celebrate Women’s History Month with screenings and Q&As. The series concluded with a special screening of I Used to Be Funny, directed by Ally Pankiw and starring Rachel Sennott. Our founder, Kim Hoyos, moderated a live discussion with the director in Los Angeles.
Tribeca Film Festival: We were thrilled to participate in the 23rd annual Tribeca Film Festival! This milestone marked our first-ever press pass, allowing us to cover the festival and publish stories highlighting filmmakers who are championing diversity and equity in storytelling. Our founder, Kim Hoyos, also led an inspiring panel at the Level Forward discussion titled More to Talk About: Shifting the Culture for Rising Voices, featuring filmmakers Constanza and Doménica Castro of 271 Films. 271 Films attended the festival as part of their support for Indeed's #RisingVoices program, which amplifies BIPOC filmmakers’ stories in collaboration with Lena Waithe and Hillman Grad.
The Reel Champions Festival: In late September, we collaborated with organizations dedicated to uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Eight female filmmakers showcased their films, followed by a panel discussion where they shared insights on how consumers can support indie creators. We also recorded interviews with both the filmmakers and festival partners.
Made Our Digital Hub More User Friendly
We’ve made some exciting updates to our website to make it easier for you to navigate and find what you need. With a clearer, more actionable menu, everything is now just a click away. You can now find all of our videos, including Film Nerd Moment, hosted directly on our site—no more hunting around!
We’ve also reorganized the creative opportunities table to highlight resources for BIPOC creatives and emergency funds for those affected by the LA wildfires. It’s now even easier to find grants, fellowships, and more with the improved toggling features.
Finally, our online store got a refresh with fresh products including sweatshirts and baseball caps as well as digital resources such as our free social video scripting resource and our Creative Development and Professional Exercises sheet.
Content Achievements
Film Nerd Moment Premiere: This year, we were thrilled to launch Film Nerd Moment, our brand-new series on Spotify, created and hosted by Mercedes Gonzales Bazan. This show dives deep into the world of cinema, blending film theory with cinematic history and analyzing pop culture through a feminist lens. With 8 episodes already out and more on the way, Film Nerd Moment is quickly becoming a favorite for film lovers who want to engage with cinema in a new and thought-provoking way. It’s been exciting to see the positive response from listeners as we continue to explore diverse perspectives on film and storytelling.
Expanding on Video Production and Creative Strategy Services: Over the past year, we’ve truly expanded our reach and capabilities in video production, all while staying true to our mission of amplifying underrepresented voices in film.We've pushed our creative boundaries, and have collaborated with Rolling Stone, We are Mitu, Chief, We All Grow Latina, and more in 2024. Through projects with Rolling Stone, our founder Kim has produced shoots with Lady Gaga, Shaboozy, the cast of Outer Banks, and more. In addition line with our commitment to supporting women and nonbinary entrepreneurs, Kim was hired to lead and execute the social media strategy for the Amigas in Business campaign in partnership with We All Grow Latina and Capital One. The event’s social media content reached over 42,000 views and generated close to 1 million impressions. This campaign not only showcased the strength of Latina entrepreneurs but also highlighted the importance of community, mentorship, and supporting women-led businesses.
Coverage at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF): We proudly covered TLL at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival 2024, where we celebrated Latine filmmakers. Among the highlights was the premiere of Lost Memories, created by a talented cohort of Latine student fellows under the guidance of film industry mentors, with support from Amazon MGM Studios.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, our vision is bigger and bolder. We’re excited to build on the momentum from this year by:
Expanding Our Online Store: We’re adding more diverse products to our store, offering even more curated options that align with our mission to support creators, filmmakers, and advocates for diversity in film.
Strengthening Film Festival Partnerships: We’ll be deepening our relationships with film festivals, creating more opportunities for visibility, collaboration, and celebration of the incredible talent within the women and nonbinary filmmaker community.
Growing Our Video Production Team: With more video production projects on the way, we’re excited to expand our team and create even more opportunities for creatives in the industry. We believe in hiring talent and growing alongside the people who are driving change in storytelling.
A Steady Newsletter: Our newsletter will continue to grow, offering consistent updates, industry insights, and opportunities for our community of filmmakers and creators to stay informed and inspired.
Launching Educational Digital Resources: We’re gearing up to launch a suite of new educational resources, designed specifically for independent filmmakers who are looking to build their craft and grow their careers.
Growing Our Patreon Community: We’re committed to offering even more robust programs and support through our Patreon, creating a space for creators to receive direct access to resources, mentorship, and a thriving community of like-minded individuals.
Looking back on this year, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. Every step we’ve taken has been because of you—because of the way this community bands together to lift each other up. From your support on social media to the way you show up for each other, every bit of energy has helped build something truly special.
The Light Leaks isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement. It’s a place where we come together, whether through a shared post or a heartfelt comment, to amplify voices and create space for diverse stories. It’s your support of one another, your dedication to a greater vision, that makes this work meaningful.
You are the ones who make this possible. When you support a fellow filmmaker, engage with a story, or show love to someone else in this community, you help build something that goes beyond us all. It’s not just about supporting The Light Leaks—it’s about us supporting each other, every single day. And that’s how we create lasting impact.
Here’s to another year of continuing to amplify, connect, and create together. Thank you for being the heartbeat of this journey. We couldn’t do it without you. Let’s keep lifting each other up, shining brighter, and making a difference, together.