Vanessa Libertad Garcia 
Author, Filmmaker & Consultant / Speaker | The Fiat Libertad Co.
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
Expertise: Filmmaking, Self-Publishing, and Communities -- Gay & Lesbian, Latinos in the U.S., & Alcoholism
Biography
Cuban-American writer & filmmaker Vanessa Libertad Garcia grew up between the burbs’ and hoods of Los Angeles, California. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, she’s completed a myriad of successful projects in both the film and literary worlds. On a cinematic front, she’s worked on films that garnered the HSF/McNamara Arts Grant, debuted on PBS’ Independent Lens, and screened at top festivals such as The LA Film Fest, The Habana Film Fest, and Outfest. She’s had writings published by venerated literary staple "Lambda Literary" and the underground art & lit magazine "This Great Society." Her first book "The Voting Booth After Dark: Despicable, Embarrassing, Repulsive" is drawing laudable reviews from a variety of sources including "The San Francisco Examiner", "The Midwest Book Review" and "Blogcritics". It's purchasable as an e-book and paperback on Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and many other bookstores such as GiovannisRoom.com. She is currently in development for her first feature film titled "Dear Dios", which is based on the books’ characters and her second book "Bloody Fucking Hell", a collection of love poetry. Ms. Garcia also consults on films in development and post-production stages, and serves as a speaker on issues pertaining to the GLBTQ, Latino and Alcoholic communities.
Industry Expertise (3)
Publishing
Writing and Editing
Motion Pictures and Film
Areas of Expertise (5)
Indie Filmmaking & Self-Publishing On Queer Latina/O Perspectives
The Glbtq Community & Alcoholism
Independent Filmmaking & Self-Publishing
Latinos Within the Glbtq Community
Gay / Lesbians & Latinos Within the Alcoholic Community
Accomplishments (11)
Parental Discretion Advised (Short Documentary - PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/EDITOR) 2003 (professional)
Produced, directed, shot, & edited film in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Maid in America (Feature Documentary - ASSOCIATE PRODUCER) 2004 (professional)
Collaborated with executive producer and director on production issues, supervised post-production, hiring, and scheduling. Attended to legal release issues and additional research. Debuted on PBS: Fall 05' Film Festival Circuit: The Cinequest Film Fest 05', The L.A. Film Fest 05', The Habana Film 05'
A Two Woman One Act (Short Fiction Film - PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR) 2005 (professional)
Produced, wrote, directed, and edited the film. HSF/McNamara Family Creative Arts Grant Recipient 05’ The International Film Festival of Cinema and Technology 07’ Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 07’ Fusion: The Los Angeles LGBT People of Color Festival 07'
Little Statistics (Short Documentary - PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/EDITOR) 2004 - 2005 (professional)
Produced, shot, directed, and edited film on The Ninash Foundation in India & Los Angeles, CA
Synthnation (Feature Documentary - PRODUCER) 2005 - 2008 (professional)
Co-Producer, Co-Director, Co-Editor: Executed both creative and administrative duties such as shooting, editing, hiring, copyright issues, research, and overseeing overall progression of film. Available for purchase online. Necropolis Fest 2009 Amphi Fest 2009 Festival KINETIK 2009 Electro-Music Fest 2009
The Voting Booth After Dark: Despicable, Embarrassing, Repulsive (Book - AUTHOR) 2009 (professional)
Wrote a collection of short stories & poems, and interwove them into a narrative. Available for Purchase: Amazon.com,Barnes&Noble.com,etc. “Desperation” Story published in "Amor Fati Literary": Feb 10' "Sorrow" published in "The Furnace Review": April 11 Garnering laudable reviews from "Chamber Four," "Hispanically Speaking News," "Blogcritics," & various other publications: 2010 - 2011
Olivia (Short Fiction Film - ASSOCIATE PRODUCER) 2009 (professional)
Associate Producer: collaborated with producers on production and distribution. Touring the Film Festival Circuit Frameline Film Festival: June 10’ Ann Arbor Film Festival: March 11
Dear Dios (Feature Film - WRITER & DIRECTOR) 2007 - PRESENT (professional)
Writer, Director, Producer of narrative feature film. Finished Screenplay shopping for a Co-Producer.
The Fiat Libertad Co. (Film Consultant & Traveling Speaker) 2007 - PRESENT (professional)
Consult filmmakers on refining film projects in development & post-production stages. Re-work screenplays into polished drafts. Advise on editing and sound design. Clients: BAFTA Nominee Sara Sugarman, Tribeca All Access Recipient Ana Margarita Albelo, etc. Speaker on Panels and Q&A at Book Fairs, Film Festivals & Educational Institutions. Roster: The Latino Book & Family Festival, Outfest: The LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, etc.
Misc. Publishings: Essays, Poetry, Short Stories (FREELANCE WRITER) 2010 - PRESENT (professional)
Lambda Literary: 2010 Tiki Tiki Blog: 2011 Spike Magazine: 2011 Growing number of other publications
Bloody Fucking Hell (Book - AUTHOR) 2009 - PRESENT (professional)
Writing a collection of poetry & essays. In Development “The B Job” Poem featured in The Lambda Literary: Sept 10’
Education (3)
The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts: High School Diploma, Theatre 2001
• Graduated Gold Seal Bearer, California Scholarship Federation, 2001 • Honor Roll, (1997-98, 1998-99, 2000-01)
Loyola Marymount University: FITS Europe Germany Satellite Program
2003 - 2004 An intensive ten-month program in Duesseldorf, Germany that immersed students in all aspects of filmmaking such as producing, shooting, directing, editing, lighting, and sound.
Loyola Marymount University: BFA, Major: Film Production, Minor: Theatre 2005
• Graduated Cum Laude, 2005 • National Dean’s List, (2001, 02, 03, 04, 05)
Links (2)
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Host/MC
- Author Appearance
Social