For what feels like forever, Hollywood has been stuck on repeat. The same stories, the same heroes, and the same perspectives dominated our screens, leaving a massive part of the world feeling invisible. But something is shifting. The old guard is making way for a new, vibrant wave of Black and Latino filmmakers who are tired of waiting for a seat at the table—so they’re building their own.

These creators aren't just here to check a diversity box. They are rewriting the rules, challenging tired stereotypes, and telling stories with an authenticity that has been missing for far too long. As we move through 2025, it’s clear that this is more than a moment; it's a movement. These filmmakers are not just changing who gets to be on screen; they are fundamentally changing the stories Hollywood tells.

Ready to meet the visionaries shaping the future of film and television? Let's get into the names you need to know and the groundbreaking work they’re putting out.

Why This New Wave Matters

For years, "diversity" in Hollywood often meant a token side character or a story that centered on trauma. While those stories have their place, they don't represent the full spectrum of the Black and Latino experience. This new generation of filmmakers is proving that our stories can be joyful, weird, romantic, scary, and everything in between.

They are moving beyond representation as a simple visual and diving into true, authentic narrative control. This means having Black and Latino writers, directors, and producers in charge, ensuring that the culture is portrayed with the nuance and respect it deserves. The result? Fresher, more interesting, and more relatable content for everyone.

This shift is creating a ripple effect, opening doors for actors, crew members, and other creatives from underrepresented backgrounds. It’s a powerful cycle of empowerment, and it’s just getting started.

The Visionaries You Need to Watch in 2025

While legends like Spike Lee, Ava DuVernay, and Guillermo del Toro paved the way, a new class of creators is taking the baton and running with it. Here are a few of the filmmakers whose work in 2024 and 2025 is making a serious impact.

Angel Manuel Soto: Bringing Latino Superheroes to the Forefront

After smashing expectations with DC’s Blue Beetle in 2023, Puerto Rican director Angel Manuel Soto proved that a Latino superhero could be a box office powerhouse. He didn't just put a Latino lead in a suit; he infused the entire film with authentic culture, from the family dynamics to the Spanglish dialogue and the nods to Latin American history.

What’s next in 2025? Soto is staying busy, with projects that continue to center Latino experiences. He's attached to a new Transformers film, and his involvement signals a commitment from major studios to trust filmmakers of color with their biggest franchises. His work shows that you can create a blockbuster that celebrates specificity while still having universal appeal. He’s proving that our culture is not a niche—it’s a superpower.

A.V. Rockwell: A Raw and Authentic Voice for Black Women

A.V. Rockwell’s 2023 directorial debut, A Thousand and One, was a gut-punch of a film that earned rave reviews and the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The movie, starring the incredible Teyana Taylor, told a powerful story about a mother’s love and the struggles of a family against the backdrop of a changing New York City. Rockwell didn’t shy away from the grit and pain, but she also filled the story with so much heart and humanity.

The 2024-2025 Impact: Rockwell is a force to be reckoned with. Her success has solidified her as a vital voice in independent film. She is currently developing new projects that continue to explore the inner lives of Black women with complexity and grace. Her work reminds us that sometimes the most epic stories are the ones that feel the most personal and real.

Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez: The Future of Latinx Comedy

As the co-creators of the beloved Netflix series Gentefied, Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez gave us a funny, warm, and deeply relevant look at a Mexican-American family navigating gentrification in East Los Angeles. The show was a perfect blend of comedy and social commentary, and its cancellation was a huge disappointment to fans who finally saw their family dynamics reflected on screen.

Their 2025 Influence: The legacy of Gentefied lives on. Both Lemus and Chávez are highly sought-after creators who continue to develop shows that put Latinx characters front and center. In 2024, Chávez worked on the critically acclaimed series The Chi, bringing her unique perspective to another community’s story. Their work is a masterclass in how to use humor to tackle serious issues, from identity politics to economic anxiety, without ever feeling preachy.

Cord Jefferson: From Journalism to Oscar Gold

Cord Jefferson made a stunning transition from journalist to filmmaker with his 2023 film American Fiction. The movie, a sharp and hilarious satire of how the literary world stereotypes Black writers, won him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It was a brilliant critique of the industry’s hunger for a specific kind of "Black story" and a celebration of a creator demanding to be seen in his full complexity.

What to Watch For: After his Oscar win, Jefferson’s star is brighter than ever. He is using his platform to champion other emerging writers of color and is developing projects that continue to challenge lazy tropes. His success sends a powerful message to the industry: audiences are smart, and they are hungry for content that is as witty and multifaceted as they are.

How They Are Changing the Game

This new wave of filmmakers is making its mark in a few key ways:

  1. Challenging Stereotypes: They are actively dismantling one-dimensional portrayals. Their characters are flawed, funny, successful, and complicated. They are showing that there is no single way to be Black or Latino.
  2. Building Their Own Ecosystems: Instead of waiting for Hollywood to call, they are creating their own production companies and mentorship networks. They are hiring diverse crews and giving a platform to other underrepresented voices, building a more inclusive industry from the ground up.
  3. Blending Genres: These creators are refusing to be put in a box. They are making horror films, sci-fi epics, romantic comedies, and biting satires, proving that their cultural experiences can be the lens for any kind of story.
  4. Embracing Specificity: They aren’t afraid to tell stories that are deeply rooted in their own culture, complete with inside jokes and specific traditions. They trust that universal human emotions—love, loss, ambition—will allow audiences from all backgrounds to connect.

Your Role in This Movement

As an audience member, you have more power than you think. Every ticket you buy, every show you stream, and every post you share sends a message to the studios about what kind of content you want to see.

When you support the work of these filmmakers, you are voting for a more inclusive and interesting Hollywood. You are helping to ensure that the next generation of creators gets the chance to tell their stories, too. So, seek out their films. Tell your friends about them. Celebrate their wins.

The future of film is vibrant, diverse, and more exciting than ever before, thanks to these trailblazing Black and Latino creators. They are not just having a moment; they are building a legacy. And we get to have a front-row seat.