Film Independent joins the film community in mourning the death of Elizabeth Peña. Elizabeth was a gifted actress who won a Spirit Award in 1996 for her role in John Sayles’ Lone Star, and had notable roles in films such as Neil Jimenez and Michael Steinberg’s The Waterdance, Rodrigo García’s Ten Tiny Love Stories, Maria Ripoll’s Tortilla Soup, and Allison Anders’ Things Behind the Sun, not to mention Brad Bird’s The Incredibles, among many other films.

At Film Independent, we remember not just her acting, but the years of friendship we enjoyed with her.  She served on our Board of Directors, generously mentored filmmakers in our Labs and Project Involve, and served on the nominating committee for the Spirit Awards. She was as warm, funny, smart and passionate as she was talented as an actor and filmmaker, and we will miss her deeply.

Josh Welsh / Film Independent President