Although we’ve been demanding space for decades, our diverse, dynamic Latinx communties are still, too often, invisible to much of Hollywood. But this is changing, as creative, entrepreneurial Latinxs refuse to sit idly by. Now thanks to husband-and-wife team Nelson and Fanny Grande, you don’t have to keep dreaming of a streaming platform that represents you, it already exists in the new, free app. A+.

To find out more about the new platform, we spoke to CEO and co-founder of Avenida (A+’s parent company) Fanny Grande about about why and how she made a service to highlight the work of the community and showcase the talent of Latinxs in the entertainment industry.

“A+ is designed to provide a space for English-speaking and bilingual Latinxs to see themselves reflected in the content they watch,” said Fanny. “Through A+, we’re making sure that the rich diversity of our experiences is celebrated and shared on a national scale.”

Latinxs are a huge audience in the United States, making up about 20% of the U.S. population and between 20% and 30% of the industry’s revenue. Although the Grandes created A+ to address this problem, it’s not just about representation. Fanny said, “It’s about giving Latinxs control of their own narratives, creating opportunities for Latinx filmmakers, and shifting the industry’s understanding of what our community can achieve.” According to Fanny, this means the Grandes made the platform so it can serve as a direct path for Latinx creators to get their projects made, from funding to production to distribution – all with the goal of bringing more authentic stories to life.

The reality is a lot of Latinx projects get stuck, unable to secure enough funds to get made or a distribution pathway to find audiences. With A+, Latinx creators now have an exclusive space. The problem now is getting this platform the support it needs to expand.

“Securing the necessary financial backing has been difficult in an industry where Latino-focused platforms are often overlooked. We’ve been fortunate to have support from partners like Latitude Ventures, but we still have a long way to go,” Fanny said.

To continue growing, A+ has both an ad-supported streaming and subscription model. The balance of revenue sources ensures the platform’s accessibility, but the support of the Latinx community and allies in subscribing, viewing content, and spreading the word are key. “The more we’re able to show demand for content like ours, the more we can continue to grow, produce new programming, and amplify Latinx voices,” Fanny said. “This platform is for the community, by the community, and we need that collective support to keep pushing forward.”

Right now, the platform features a curated selection of English-language content with Latinx representation in front of and behind the camera in a variety of genres and formats including documentaries, scripted series, and movies, ranging from drama to comedy. So, audiences can select stories that go beyond stereotypes and directly address the needs of the English-speaking Latinx audience.

“Our goal was to start strong with content that engages our audience and tells authentic stories, while also showcasing new voices,” Grande said, adding that in the future they plan to expand their streaming library with original programming and by acquiring content that continues to showcase the community’s wide range of narratives.

For that purpose, backing up-and-coming Latinx filmmakers is paramount. If you are a Latinx producer or filmmaker looking for distribution, A+ invites you to reach out directly to them at submissions@avenida.tv. “We’re looking for projects that have Latinx representation in front of the camera and that go beyond stereotypes.”

At the moment, A+ is only available in the United States except for a limited number of titles, but the goal is to expand its streaming offerings worldwide. To support the project and enjoy the content you can access the platform through the web, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple Store, and Google Play Store. In their linktree, you can find all the links to this platform created by Avenida Entertainment Group.