“Rick” Pérez (he/him/his) is the former Executive Director of the International Documentary Association (IDA) where he oversaw all IDA programs and operations, including filmmaker services, funding, educational programs, the IDA Awards, and advocacy for the field.

He was also Director of Creative Partnerships at Sundance Institute where he developed, designed, and led artist-based filmmaking programs, including Stories of Change, a multi-million-dollar Sundance Institute partnership with the Skoll Foundation that supported the development and production of 46 documentary, fiction, virtual reality, and episodic storytelling projects. He also designed and led the Institute's Documentary Story and Edit Lab in Beijing, a program that advanced the work of independent filmmakers in China by providing creative mentorship and grants to lab participants. 

As a filmmaker, Pérez directed and executive produced the feature documentary CESAR'S LAST FAST, a project that premiered in US Competition at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and which The New York Times recognized as one of 20 essential films that captures the Latinx experience. Mr. Perez was also an executive producer at Brave New Films where he executive produced two documentary series (IN THEIR BOOTS and FREEDOM FILES, SEASON II) and directed a third (SIERRA CLUB CHRONICLES). He currently serves on the board of Brave New Films. 

Mario J. Novoa, Producer (he/him) is an educator and filmmaker who recently produced PBS-distributed documentaries: L.A.: A QUEER HISTORY, and UNIDAD: GAY & LESBIAN

LATINOS UNIDOS. Mario’s other recent work includes award-winning documentaries NELLY QUEEN: THE LIFE & TIMES OF JOSE SARRIA, NANCY FROM EASTSIDE CLOVER and JEANNE CORDOVA: BUTCHES, LIES FEMINISM. Other films include TRONA, AY JOSE!, ART JACKSON: UNDERGROUND MASTERPIECE, THE MIRACLE OF TONY DAVIS and THE BABY CRIES.

Novoa currently teaches film production for Civic Studios Chicago, and has held various administrative positions at the Los Angeles Film School, Columbia College Hollywood, and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). He received his film degree from the Los Angeles Film School and a marketing degree from Full Sail University. Mario is developing future film productions featuring stories of the Latine and or LGBTQ experience for his company Film Bliss Studios. 

mario@mjnovoa.com

Professional Website: www.mjnovoa.com

Company Website: www.filmbliss.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariojnovoa/