Hispanic and Latino representation in film hasn’t improved for 16 years – study

USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative finds that representation behind and in front of the camera remains stagnant

Hispanic and Latinos remain under-represented in film, a trend that has carried for 16 years, according to a new report from the University of Southern California. Even when movies did feature Hispanic or Latino characters, they were usually stereotyped as immigrant or as having low income.

The latest study from the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative examined 1,600 of the top-grossing films released between 2007 and 2022 and more than 62,000 speaking characters, as well as 13,000 directors, producers and casting directors.