About Us
The Light Leaks (LLC) is a community hub that supports, empowers and educates female and gender non-conforming (GNC) filmmakers, aiming to foster intersectionality in the film and television industries. Through our live and digital events, editorial content, online shop, and more, we provide filmmakers across the world (and web) with opportunities to connect with each other, learn new skills, spark crucial media discourse, and showcase their work. Ultimately, we strive to ensure a more equitable media landscape in the future.
Founded by queer Latina filmmaker, Kim Hoyos in 2016 while she was in college due to the lack of access to community and other resources as a rising filmmaker.
Our Goals
Promote intersectional storytelling to create a more equitable and inclusive media landscape
Facilitate honest conversations about the film and TV industries through events, interviews, and editorials
Create industry-focused opportunities to connect with other female/GNC creators
Provide a safe space to share and highlight films by female/GNC artists, amplifying their unique perspectives in the process
Share inspiration and advice across multiple platforms, utilizing social media for true connection
Our TLL Team
Kim Hoyos,
Founder
Kim Hoyos (she/her) is a freelance creative, specializing in video production, social content, and digital strategy based in Los Angeles. She’s also a small business owner and the founder of “The Light Leaks”, an online community for women and nonbinary filmmakers. She’s currently part of Meta and Instagram’s Dale Tu program, for Latino content creators.
Passionate about representation in media, Kim strives to create spaces on screen and behind the camera for women, BIPOC folks, and the LGBTQ+ community. She’s explored her creativity by directing, writing, and producing her short films available for online viewing and producing and editing digital videos for brands including mitu, The Mujerista, Aloe App, Adolescent Content, and more.
Brielle Wyka,
Social Media Editor
Brielle E. Wyka (she/her) is an NJ-based writer and content creator recently graduated from Montclair State University. With her shiny new degrees in Communication and Media Arts and French, she’s ready to take on the world and explore her passions. She’s excited about using her media skills to combine her two loves: entertainment and social justice. Some of her greatest accomplishments so far include directing a number of freelance video projects, publishing interviews with some of her industry heroes, and working for MSNBC’s graphics operations. Brielle has also been a volunteer at The Light Leaks going on three years, and has loved every moment. At home, you’ll find her writing about her own fantasy worlds and wistfully rolling her D&D dice. You can reach her at Brielle@thelightleaks.com and learn more about her at website!
Jade Gonzales, Editorial Contributor
.Jade Gonzales (she/her and they/them) is a creative professional with a communications degree from Rutgers University. She's curious by nature also by being inspired by the artists and environments around me. She has deep love for storytelling and connection that attracts me to street photography, videography and writing. here for it!
Mercedes Gonzales-Bazan,
Research Lead
Mercedes Gonzales-Bazan (she/her) is a writer and researcher, with a background in media studies. She’s the editorial assistant for journalist Ann Friedman. Her past work includes hosting the Meet Cute podcast The Rom-Com Room, being an editorial fellow for Women & Hollywood, and assisting with the Call Your Girlfriend podcast. Mercedes holds a masters from NYU in Media, Culture, and Communication and a bachelors from the University of New Mexico in both English & Communication. Her research interests center around representation and identity within popular culture, specifically film, television, and internet trends. You can reach her at mgonzalesbazan@gmail.com and learn more about her at her website.
Daniela Espinosa, Partnerships & Content Developer
Born and raised in NY, Dani Espinosa is a queer Latina content curator who has worn many hats over the years. She has created content on the side for brands like Neutrogena and Hero Cosmetics, filmed and edited a documentary in Thailand and managed social media for local news and media outlets. She has a love for the art of storytelling (and the messiness of reality TV), and has been thrilled to grow as an artist within The Light Leaks community. You can catch her splitting her time between reading tarot cards and dropping astrology tea on her tarot account, Tarot by Dani; working as a Post Production Assistant or making silly Tik Toks for TLL. You can reach her at Daniela@thelightleaks and learn more about her at her website.
Brynna Arens, Editorial Lead
BBrynna Arens (she/her) is a freelance TV, Film, and pop-culture writer currently working as a part-time TV News Writer for Den of Geek. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2019 where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. In her writing she specializes in studying media through a feminist lens, with a focus on content in sci-fi, horror, and superhero genres. You can reach her at Brynna@thelightleaks.com and learn more about her at her website.
JeanJacquess, Video Contributor
JeanJacques (they/them) is a Black Chicano nonbinary creator based in Southern California. With an optimistic and determined energy, they work full time as a Production Coordinator and Associate Agency Producer at minority-owned video production company Oak Leaf Productions while expressing their creativity as social media creator. JeanJacques began their career producing web series and short films with peers over Zoom to build their independent filmmaker career during the COVID-19 quarantine. The connections and skills they grew over Zoom provided them resources to produce various live-action short films and selected for the Academy of Motion Picture Art’s and Sciences’ internship program ‘Academy Gold’. With a love for cutesy aesthetics and passion for uplifting creators from marginalized communities, JeanJacques is proud to a part of The Light Leaks team!
Shamira Brown,
Graphics Lead and Digital Strategist
Shamira Brown (she/her) is a digital designer and social media aficionado in the advertising industry based in NYC. She has her B.A. in Advertising/Public Relations and Business Management Administration from The City College of New York. She has a huge passion for professional development and mentoring BIPOC and women. When she’s not working, she is an illustrator (she has an ongoing passion project that showcases Black Women through illustrations), loves to travel and runs a secret food Instagram. You can reach her at Shamira@thelightleaks.com and learn more about her at her website.
Nicole Lagos, Video Editor
Nicole Lagos is a post-production assistant based in NYC and a Rutgers University alum, graduating with a BFA in digital filmmaking. During her time at Rutgers, she was head video editor at The Daily Targum and produced award-winning pieces that were recognized by the New Jersey Press Foundation. For the past few years, Nicole has supported production teams at The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, NBC, VH1, and several unscripted shows. She loves working in TV and hopes to use her passion for storytelling to help share underrepresented stories!
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Our Press
Because of our work as a woman-owned company, we’ve been given some love by Creative & Cultivate, Freelancing Females, and We Are Women Owned!
“How a bisexual Latina filmmaker created a community she and other queer cineastes needed” - Into, December 2023
Featured by Facebook in Dec 2023!
“Women’s Net Mini Grant Awarded to the Light Leaks” - November 2022
“Kim Hoyos Is Getting Latinx Talent on Both Sides of the Camera” - People en Español, March 2021
“13 Latinx-Owned Brands You Need to Know” - People en Espanol’s Chica, February 2020
“Where the Light Leaks in…” - Ms. Magazine, May 2019
"Trailblazers Ep. 1: Kim Hoyos - Women In Film"- Trailblazers, 2018
"Putting Yourself Out There: Self-Care and Social Media Panelists"- Urban Outfitters
“Latina Spotlight: Meet Kim Hoyos, Founder of “the Light Leaks”” – Walker’s Legacy, October 2017
“How The Light Leaks is supporting marginalized young filmmakers” – Adolescent Content, August 2017
“Q&A with Kim Hoyos” – Wren and Mars Blog, July 2017
“Smash The Film Patriarchy At The Light Leaks’ “Lens Flare” Showcase” – BUST magazine, July 2017
“Off the Record 1.05” – WNYU Radio, July 2017
“Diversity in Media: The Story of Kimberly Hoyos”– RU Voice Magazine, May 2017
“Profile: Kim Hoyos and The Light Leaks”– The Rational Creature, May 2017
“My Favorite Things: April”– The Battle of Arbela, April 2017
“Kim and the Light Leaks” – Lame Kid Zine issue 2.2, February 2017
“C-41: Kim Hoyos & The Light Leaks” – LM2, February 2017
“Find Your Happy Place Support Women Directors”– Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, December 2016
“#SmartGirlsAsk”– Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, November 2016