Our story
Latinas in Media Atlanta (LIMA) was born in Denise Santos’s living room — a spark of an idea grounded in passion and community. What began as a gathering space to connect Latine creatives has grown into a movement empowering Georgia’s film and television industry with more visibility, more opportunity, and more representation for Latine talent.
Our platform champions inclusion, celebrates cultural richness, and carves out a long-overdue space in media for voices that have too often gone unheard.
LIMA is more than an initiative — it’s a community.
Since 2017, LIMA has hosted hundreds of creatives at events, panels, and mixers — bringing together writers, directors, producers, actors, and crew members across Georgia.
From impactful collaborations with local organizations and businesses to a thriving online presence with over 3,000 engaged followers, LIMA is a growing force that continues to open doors and reshape narratives.
At its heart, LIMA exists to uplift. We’re here to foster professional development, spark collaboration, and spotlight the powerful talent within our Latine community.
And we’re just getting started.
Meet the Team
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Denise Santos, a Miami native with Ecuadorian and Colombian roots, has made a notable impact as an actress and producer. She is recognized for her role as Mamá in the EMMY-winning NFL Super Bowl LVII commercial "Run With It"and has recently appeared in national commercials with Shakira and Shaquille O'Neal. Denise’s television credits include "Long Slow Exhale" (BET), "MacGyver" (CBS), and "The Resident" (Fox). Her stage work includes performances in Carmen Rivera’s "La Gringa," "The Vagina Monologues," and Alan Ball’s "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress." With over 100 national and regional commercials to her name, Denise demonstrates her versatility in both English and Spanish markets.
Denise has honed her craft through training at The Juilliard School, the Stella Adler Studio, and by working with renowned acting coaches across the SE. Her dedication to her craft is matched by her passion for representing and uplifting Latine voices in media.
As the founder and producer of Latinas in Media Atlanta and Latinx Filmmakers Atlanta, she is committed to amplifying Latine and independent voices within Georgia’s Film & TV industry. Her efforts have been recognized with a place among Georgia’s 50 Most Influential Latinos and a feature in OZ Magazine’s “Latinos, Interrupting the Narrative.”
In addition to her career in entertainment, Denise devotes her life to her family and has dedicated over 20 years educating and working with differently-abled children. She is a SAG-AFTRA Eligible actress and an active National Member of the Television Academy.
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Viviana (“Vivi”) Chavez is an acclaimed actress and producer based in Atlanta with over 14 years of experience in the Southeast film market. As a native Atlantan and a proud daughter of immigrants, Vivi has acted in over 180 projects, including notable films and TV shows such as The Walking Dead, Homeland, The Resident, Baby Driver, Dynasty, Cobra Kai, and the recent Class of ‘09, where she starred alongside Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry.
In her producing career, Vivi is a Bronze Telly Award winner with a diverse portfolio that includes high-profile brands like Coca-Cola and The Home Depot, as well as numerous independent films. She is dedicated to supporting and growing Atlanta’s film industry, aiming to create an inclusive and self-sustaining environment for filmmakers in her hometown.
Vivi is also committed to amplifying Latine and other underrepresented voices within the film industry, advocating for diversity and inclusion in decision-making roles. She is honored to have co-founded Latinas In Media Atlanta alongside Denise Santos and will continue to eagerly contribute her producing talents to the organization whenever possible.
Currently, Vivi is focused on launching her own production company and revitalizing her local directors’ group. She also serves on the advisory board of ARTE-GA and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.