Ben Lopez is a visionary architect of change in the entertainment industry. Born in Mexico City, raised in Tucson, and based in Los Angeles, Ben has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, advocacy, and industry transformation. Known as a “diamond hunter” and “creative whisperer,” he has earned the trust of Hollywood’s top studios, networks, and brands for his ability to identify exceptional talent and refine their stories into compelling, market-ready projects. His expertise spans feature films, live-action and animated content, serialized television, and multi-platform storytelling.
With over two decades of experience, Ben has shattered glass ceilings, opened industry doors, and built lasting opportunities for Latino creatives. His cultural authenticity consulting has directly influenced blockbuster films, Academy Award-winning animated features, and major franchises, ensuring Latino voices move beyond token representation into true leadership and authorship. He has been instrumental in helping studios avoid cultural blind spots, achieve genuine representation, and elevate underrepresented voices. The impact of his work ripples across Hollywood, shaping major franchises and empowering storytellers whose careers have flourished due to his guidance.
Ben began his industry journey contributing to film festivals, labs, and incubators, gaining first hand insight into the challenges faced by emerging artists, filmmakers, and storytellers. As a leading thought leader on Latino and LATAM-focused content, he has delivered keynotes and moderated panels at prestigious events such as Cannes Lions, Outfest, SANFIC in Chile, MIP Cancún, Sundance, SXSW, FICG, and the European Film Market in Berlin. His insights have been featured in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, NBC Universal, Elle Magazine, and Slate France.
Beyond his industry-shaping work, Ben co-founded Paella Club, an inclusive community that evolved from intimate gatherings into a powerhouse network of over 700 Latino filmmakers and film patrons. Hosted at venues like Netflix, Google, and UTA, Paella Club has fostered professional partnerships, launched careers, and created essential spaces for Latino creatives to connect. He has also served on the board of Veterans in Media & Entertainment (VME) and currently sits on the Western Council of the Entertainment Community Fund, a nonprofit supporting over 17K performing arts and entertainment workers annually. As former head of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), Ben played a pivotal role in advancing Latino representation across Hollywood.
As a producer, Ben champions diverse, socially resonant storytelling, executive-producing films such as Golden Opportunity, Ro & the Stardust, and The Blue Drum. He co-produced the feature documentary Paddle Out and consulted on major projects, including Disney’s Academy Award-winning Encanto and served on the Community Advisory Board of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. Ben's sharp creative instincts and deep industry expertise have made him a trusted voice in Hollywood, where he continues to bridge artistic excellence with cultural integrity.
In 2022, Ben founded L21 Consulting, dedicated to helping underrepresented artists navigate the evolving media and entertainment landscape. That same year, L21 partnered with McDonald's Spotlight Dorado, a multi-year platform empowering and amplifying Latino voices in film and beyond. Through L21, Ben continues driving change, ensuring diverse voices are not only heard but prominently positioned at the forefront of storytelling in Hollywood and beyond.
Return to Spanish Without Borders: 3rd Spanish Dubbing & VO Workshop