Mónica Esmeralda León

Mónica Esmeralda León (Michoacán, July 20, 1991 ) is a Mexican film actress, producer and director. León is also the founder of Ave Fenix Pictures in Chicago and Los Angeles, and created the La Raza filmmaking concept.

León is multilingual and speaks Spanish, English and Italian.

Career León wanted to show the beauty and violence inside her neighborhood through the medium of film. León became the executive producer of Adios Vaya Con Dios, which incorporated gang members and street artists into the filmmaking process. León dedicated the director title to the community using the term La raza.

León worked as a music producer combining different artists from around the globe, including the United Kingdom and Mexico, incorporating them into the soundtrack of Adios Vaya Con Dios. The film was first to integrate a British and Mexican rock soundtrack over a Latino urbanized film. Adios Vaya Con Dios was the Official Selection at Bel Air Film Festival being Runner-up for Best Audience Feature Film, and nominations for Best Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Director. León also shared the nomination for Best Director with La raza.

León founded the first Latino film studio in Chicago with Zachary Laoutides, called Ave Fenix Pictures.

León's second film is Arise from Darkness. She served as the film's music supervisor and acted in the film. It was ranked number one in the 10 Best Supernatural Horror Movies Of The Last Decade, Ranked According to IMDb Rating.

In 2017, León premiered the film Black Ruby at the London Independent Film Awards. The film earned nominations in London with Leon sharing in Best Director and Best Feature Film. She won Best Film at the Los Angeles Film Awards. The film was the first movie shot with the iPhone 7.

In 2020, León's studio Ave Fenix Pictures announced the dramatic thriller Where Sweet Dreams Die, directed by Mirza Esho and featuring actors Zachary Laoutides, Jaime Zevallos, and Alexander James Rodriguez. The film wrapped shooting in Chicago and New York in March 2022.

Personal life León is active in community outreach and continues higher education in languages and history. Producer 2017 Arise from Darkness Jessica 2017 Black Ruby Producer 2024 Where Sweet Dreams Die (upcoming film ) Producer

Awards and nominations Year Title Role Notes 2014 Adios Vaya Con Dios Executive Producer Bel Air Film Festival Runner up Best Audience FeatureBel Air Film Festival Nominated Best Jury Feature Film Directing 2016 Arise from Darkness Jessica Nominated Film Invasion L.A. Best DirectorNominated Film Invasion L.A. Best Narrative FeatureAlso, Producer/Director2017Black RubyExecutive Producer / Also, Producer/DirectorNominated London Independent Film Awards Best Director Nominated London Independent Film Awards Best Feature film

Nominated London Independent Film Awards Best Foreign Feature film

Nominated London Independent Film Awards Best Trailer

Also, Producer/Director

Nominated Rome Film Awards Best Feature Film

Nominated Rome Film Awards Best Director

Also, Producer/DirectorWinner Los Angeles Film Forum Awards Best Feature Film