Named one of the Top Latinas Changing the Game for Representation by Glamour Magazine, creator, director, writer, showrunner, and producer Linda Yvette Chávez has emerged in the entertainment industry as a powerful voice, bringing fearless, inclusive and impactful stories to the big and small screens. Also highlighted by Variety in their Comedy Impact Report alongside heavy hitters Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Tiffany Haddish, Chávez continues to break ceilings and has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

This year Chávez has a handful of exciting projects on the docket. First up, Chávez penned the Searchlight Pictures feature film “Flamin’ Hot,” directed by Eva Longoria. “Flamin’ Hot” premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival, winning the Audience Award and critics’ hearts in the process. Media raved “it’s a heartwarming movie at the core, it feels good to root for the underdog and win” (Austin Chronicle), “an engaging and empowering watch” (TheWrap), and “utterly delightful… equally amusing and affecting film that defies expectations” (The Hollywood Reporter). The film follows Richard Montañez, a Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global phenomenon. Eva tapped Chávez for her authentic voice that depicts the Mexican American experience, to execute her vision for a comedic, effervescent, and uplifting version of Montañez’s story. “Flamin’ Hot” is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on June 9, 2023 and marks the first time a feature film has been made available on both platforms at the same time.

Also in film, Chávez is currently adapting the New York Times bestselling book “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika L. Sanchez alongside Anonymous Content and MACRO with America Ferrera making her feature directorial debut. Chávez is also preparing to make her own directorial debut with a horror-comedy written by two up-and-coming Latino writers. The film follows four Mexican-American sisters in the ‘90s as they battle zombies to save their baby sister and their hood from the apocalypse. It’s being coined as “Shaun of the Dead” if it wore hoops and was sprayed down with AquaNet

In television, Chávez recently inked a multi-year overall deal with 20^th Television where she is creating her own projects, as well as executive producing other dramas and comedies created by diverse voices, for all Disney platforms.  

Chávez made her first big splash in the entertainment industry in 2020 with her groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, award nominated series “Gentefied,” which she co-created and helmed as co-showrunner, director, and executive producer. Produced by America Ferrera and MACRO, the show followed three cousins who band together to keep their grandfather’s popular Boyle Heights taco shop in business as the neighborhood becomes more gentrified.  “Gentefied” was praised for navigating larger themes of gentrification and the marginalization of Latinxs in America, and during its run was nominated for a prestigious Peabody Award, ten Imagen Foundation Awards including Best Comedy Series and Best Directing for Chávez, and a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.  Seasons one and two of the show can currently be streamed on Netflix.

Hailing from Norwalk, California, Chávez developed her story writing talents while an undergrad at Stanford University. She went on to study Writing for Cinema and Television at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, earning her MFA and receiving the prestigious Jack Nicholson Award for merit in writing. Chávez was a Film Independent Project Involve Fellow, where she wrote and directed her second short film. She served as an adviser at the Sundance Screenwriters Lab in 2022 and 2023. There she provided ongoing support to independent storytellers in the program by helping advance the development and production of their work.

Chávez currently resides in the Los Angeles area.