Hialeah Woman Lands Prestigious Television Academy Internship

Miami FL

25 August, 2021

7:11 PM

Description

Marina Cepeda, of Hialeah, FL, was selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship Program. She is one of just 50 students chosen by Television Academy members from across the country for the 2021 program. Cepeda is a 2021 graduate of Dartmouth College who majored in African American Studies and Computer Science, and minored in Film and Media. She interned remotely this summer in the scripted series department at Prodigal Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA, through the Television Academy Foundation's program. Cepeda attended Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School. "This internship validates that I belong here," said Cepeda. "It empowers me to continue to advocate for equity and justice through television." "I am the first in my immigrant family to go to college," said Cepeda. " I grew up fascinated by television and film, but I was afraid to pursue it at college for fear that I would financially struggle afterwards. Just two years ago, I thought I was going to be a software engineer. However, my passion for writing and directing overcame me. In between classes, I created documentaries and explored representation on screen." "Mindy Kaling and Issa Rae are my role models," said Cepeda. "When I see them, I see wildly talented and funny women that are changing the face of entertainment. In their cinematic worlds, women like me are funny, flawed, and most of all empowered. Their imagination inspires me to use television as my tool for healing and social change." Typically, the Television Academy Foundation's annual Internship Program provides 50 paid internships, at top Hollywood studios and production companies, to college students nationwide. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Television Academy Foundation had to re-imagine its internship program this year offering the 50 students selected from across the country the chance to either intern remotely or enroll as a Summer Fellow. The Internship Program also included virtual professional development panels with leaders in the television industry and customized seminars covering personal brand building and navigating the job market ahead. Interns also become life-long members of the Foundation's alumni family giving them access to events and networking opportunities as they build their careers in the industry.