Mónica Esmeralda León

Mónica Esmeralda León (born 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 La Raza filmmaking concept.

León was born in Michoacán, Mexico. She moved to Chicago at age sixteen where she worked helping youth at risk.

León wanted to show the beauty but also the 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, 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 films music supervisor and acted in the film.

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 Forum Awards.

León is active in community outreach and continues higher education in languages and history.