MACEF’s The Masters Workshop Series: From Film to Career

Starting in 2026, the Production Grants and Master Workshop will merge. Each one of the 10 filmmakers and projects accepted to the Masters Workshop will also receive a Production Grant to create a Trailer or Mini-short of the submitted projects using AI and the guidance of the faculty.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE SEPT. 15th, 2026

APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 1st, 2026

MACEF’s The Masters Workshop Series: From Film To Career; is a series of Interactive Workshops for a maximum of ten selected filmmakers who are developing a short drama or feature length narrative film project and who wish to receive mentorship and guidance by master filmmakers, to produce higher level projects and develop a sustainable career in the film industry.

This is not a workshop to teach how to make films, this is a workshop on how to make successful profitable films and build a career in the film industry! Taught by people who have done and are doing exactly that!

The participants will be selected by the faculty and sponsored by the Mexican American Education Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), from applicants who demonstrate exemplary film accomplishments and whose current film project indicates a high potential for success as determined by a committee of veteran film professionals. The workshops are intended to help the selected talented filmmakers bring their film projects to a higher level and closer to completion, as well as encourage planning for a lifetime career in motion picture.

The Faculty of this workshop series are legendary producer Moctesuma Esparza, & pioneering director Jesús Treviño and Moderated by MACEF founder and director Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz. The workshops will include the participation of veteran writers, producers and directors who will engage the ten select participants on a one-on-one basis. 

These highly valuable workshop series are free to the selected participants, sponsored by MACEF’s mission to change the distorted Mexican-American narrative by supporting filmmakers and their stories, which will change the narrative.

Application Guidelines

There are thousands of epic stories waiting to be told, and Hollywood has a history of rejecting projects with Mexican-American/Chicano stories or lead characters. Individuals already in the industry, including film students at graduate level, who have great stories and need funds to finish their short film, feature length film, proof of concept film or TV pilot before putting it on the market or presenting it to film studios are encouraged to apply.

The applicant to this grant can be of any ethnicity or background, but the production team must include at least one producer, writer, director and lead actor who identifies as Mexican-American or Chicana/o, of any generation or mixed ethnicity. Grantees will have their film highlighted at the next Mexican-American Film & Television Festival.

To qualify for this grant the applicant must submit the script of the short film, feature-length film, or TV pilot, and be in an advanced stage of preproduction. Qualifying films will be assessed by the quality of the story, culturally positive, non-stereotypical stories will have priority, as well as production organization and viability of the project.

Mentorship: MACEF’s Productions Grants will be paired with the “The Masters Workshops & Mentorship” intended to help the selected talented filmmakers bring their film projects to a higher level and closer to completion, as well as encourage planning for a lifetime career in motion picture.

Submission: Applications for the MACEF Film Production Grant will be accepted between August 1st, 2026 to September 15th, 2026. Those chosen to receive the grant will be announced by in late October, and the award amount will be dispersed at the 2026 MACEF Reception in late October. Grantees must present their film or television program at the next Mexican-American Film/Television Festival scheduled for April of 2027.

Our Curriculum

Curriculum Updated Designed by Director Jesus Trevino

Starting in 2026, our outstanding curriculum will be augmented to include training on the use of AI, including ethics, and Vertical films. This will put our curriculum at the forefront of the profession.

  • 1) Reinforce the five basic key elements of a screenplay as part of a good film: inciting incident, character need, act one plot point, act two plot point, and third act resolution. Also, a discussion of the variation required for Vertical mini-Dramas.

    2) Introduction on select AI-generated films for brief discussion pertaining to key elements such as the role of platforms and prompting, and the software available for making AI films (see attached mentions).

    3) Training using selected AI platforms.

    Assignment:

    1. Each Master Class student will evaluate their project to ensure they fulfil the 5 elements of an attractive screenplay, and will write a 3-page trailer using a 3-act structure, and will submit it to Jesus for evaluation.

    2. Using the 3-page approved script, will create a 3-minute AI trailer for the MACEF film project they have previously submitted.

    **Important: MACEF will provide a license for the 10 MACEF students to access platforms like Claude, Gemini, Nano Banana and Kling.

  • 1) Review of traditional rules of directing, as well as how to incorporate AI to create assets and formulate instructions.

    2) Review differences and alternatives when directing a vertical film.

    2) First look and review of 3-minute AI trailer and suggested improvements.

  • 1) Role of the producer and the importance of team building.

    2) Discuss the options of a hybrid approach, incorporating both AI and traditional film-making approaches.

    3) An expert in Vertical film production will discuss variations needed for Vertical production.

    4) Review the second rendering & how to “redo” to reflect the learning from the discussion for the next session.

  • 1) Review of traditional and new forms of marketing.

    2) Strategy to get distribution and not get robbed.

    3) How AI might help in creating a pitch deck.

  • Final session where students will present their pitches to industry leaders and decision makers from different organizations, using the three-minute trailers as part of their pitch deck to “sell” their film project.

Faculty Members

  • Jesus Trevino

    DIRECTOR

    American television and film director whose career spans over four decades. He transitioned into mainstream Hollywood storytelling, directing landmark feature films like Raíces de sangre and episodes for over 30 major TV series, including Resurrection Blvd., Babylon 5, and Bones. A dedicated advocate for authentic Latino representation, Treviño has been widely recognized for bridging cultural activism with mainstream entertainment.

  • Moctesuma Esparza

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Moctesuma Esparza is a Mexican-American filmmaker, producer, entrepreneur, and community activist, renowned for promoting Latino and Chicano culture through cinema and media. He is known for executive producing the film Selena (1997), The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), and Gettysburg (1993). He has received over 200 awards, including an Academy Award nomination, Emmy, Clio Award, and Cine Golden Eagle Award

  • Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz

    Director, Writer, Executive Producer, and- Founder of MACEF & MAFTF

    Known professionally as J.L. Ruiz, he is the best-selling author of the award-winning "Irreversible Damage: The Katie Suarez Social Justice Series." His most recent feature film which he directed, wrote, and executive-produced “The Dreamer Cinderella” has a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and is currently on Amazon Prime Video after a successful theatrical release across 4 states. Dr. Ruiz serves as the director of the Mexican American Film & Television Festival (MAFTF) and produces The Illustrious Awards. With over 25 years dedicated to advocating for the Latino community in dentistry, Dr. Ruiz founded the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF).

  • Bel Hernandez

    FOUNDER OF LATIN HEAT ENTERTAINMENT


    A trailblazing journalist and media powerhouse who has dedicated her career to amplifying Latino voices in Hollywood first by co-founding Latin Heat the 1st entertainment trade covering Latinos in Hollywood. She has produced four English language TV talk shows featuring all Latina hosts, one of them TheTRENDTalk winning a Telly Award. She was named Publisher of the year NHPA; selected for the Inspirational Woman by the Los Angeles Times. She is also one of the co-founder of LATINAFest a community organizations focused on working to elevate, and promote through IRL events

  • Cristina Nava

    AWARD WINNING SCREENWRITER, DIRECTOR, & PRODUCER OF INDEPENDENT FILMS

    Award-winning, Los Angeles-based WGA screenwriter, director, and veteran independent film and television producer. Known for her work in romantic comedies, her writing and producing credits include In Other Words (formerly on HBO Max, now on Tubi) and Divorce Bait (Tubi). She also produced the 2024 feature Say a Little Prayer, starring Luis Fonsi and executive produced by Edward James Olmos.

    In 2022, Cristina expanded her artistry into directing. Her directorial debut, the feature film Free Lunch, won Best Feature and Best Director at multiple festivals and is currently available on Prime Video.

Filmmaker Testimonials

  • Iz Gutierrez, Writer & Director

    “Working on my feature film has been an incredibly exciting opportunity—one that has been made possible thanks to the support of MACEF. Dr. Ruiz, your mission to uplift our community is clear and deeply appreciated. I frequently discuss my experience with MACEF because it has had such a profound impact on my career. MACEF allowed me to get invaluable mentorship from Moctesuma Esparza and Jesus Trevino, and it has been a game changer. These opportunities not only help me grow but also empower me to give back and carry the mission forward as we create even bigger films. I'm deeply grateful for everything MACEF has done."

  • Alex Avila, Writer and Director

    “Worked closely with Jesús Treviño through the Master’s Workshop on the script -- lots of back and forth on my rewrites for ‘A.I Dad,’ until we had it polished. Then, I saw the deadline for the San Antonio Film Festival and submitted it last minute... and won Best Screenplay.”