America Ferrara to Receive Groundbreaker Award at Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrara is receiving a special Critics Choice honor…

The 39-year-old Honduran American Golden Globe– and Emmy-winning actress is among the honorees for the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements.

Hosted by Nicco Annan, the event is slated for December 4 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.

Unlike last year, when the CCA held separate ceremonies for Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements, this year, because of the strikes, the CCA is presenting a one-time-only combination show, featuring more than 20 honorees who created some of this year’s most acclaimed films and television shows.

“For the last few years, the CCA has hosted individual Celebrations of Black, Latino and AAPI Cinema & Television. CCA will return to individual shows in 2024, but doing this special celebration allows us to continue the CCA’s tradition of supporting inclusion and creativity in our industry,” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “I am extremely proud to recognize this diverse group of honorees together on this one special night.”

This year’s honorees include:

Emmy Award-winning actor and producer Edward James Olmos who will receive the Icon Award for his incredible career including Zoot Suit, Selena, Stand and Deliver, Blade Runner, Miami Vice and most recently FX’s Mayans M.C.

Emmy Award-winning actress, producer and advocate Sheryl Lee Ralph will receive the Career Achievement Award for her extensive work in film & television with over 100 credits including ABC’s Abbott Elementary as well as Instant Mom, Ray Donovan, Moesha, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Mistress, The Distinguished Gentlemen and To Sleep with Anger.

The Comedy Trailblazer Award will be bestowed upon comedian and actor Ken Jeong, whose notable credits include The Masked Singer, The Afterparty, Community, Crazy Rich Asians, I Can See Your Voice and The Hangover franchise.

Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright will be honored with the Visionary Award for his performance in Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios’ American Fiction.

Emmy- and SAG Award-winning actress America Ferrara will accept the Groundbreaker Award for her performances in Warner Bros.’ Barbie and Sony Pictures/Black Bear Pictures’ Dumb Money.

Oscar-nominated Charles D. King will receive the Producer Award for his most recent work on Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone.

Award-winning director, producer, actress and advocate Eva Longoria will be recognized with the Breakthrough Director Award (Film) for her feature directorial debut, Searchlight Pictures’ Flamin’ Hot.

Greta Lee will receive the Actress Award (Film) for her performance in A24’s film Past Lives, while Colman Domingo will be recognized with the Actor Award (Film) for his performance in Netflix’s Rustin.

The Ensemble Award will be awarded to Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Fantasia Barrino, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Domingo and Corey Hawkins for their performances in Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple.

Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph will be honored with the Supporting Actress Award (Film) for her performance in Focus Features’ The Holdovers.

Emmy-nominated narrative filmmaker and documentarian Allen Hughes will be celebrated with the Documentary Series Award for his work directing FX’s Dear Mama.

Oscar-nominated filmmaker and playwright Kemp Powers will be honored with the Animation Award for his directorial work on Sony Pictures’ film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Animator and filmmaker Makoto Shinkai will accept the International Animation Award for Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures’ film Suzume.

Actor and producer Damson Idris will receive the Actor Award (TV) for his performance in FX’s Snowfall.

Current Emmy-nominated actress and comedian Jessica Williams will be recognized with the Supporting Actress Award (TV) for her performance in Apple TV+’s Shrinking.

Actor Oscar Montoya will be honored with the Supporting Actor Award (TV) for his performance in Starz’s Minx.

Breakthrough Performance Awards will be bestowed upon Teyana Taylor for her performance in Focus Features’ A Thousand and One, Emmy-nominee Camila Morrone for her performance in Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & The Six, and Charles Melton for his performance in Netflix’s May December.

Current multiple Emmy-nominated director and writer Lee Sung Jin will be honored with the Breakthrough Director Award (TV) for his work on Netflix’s series Beef.

Receiving the Rising Star Awards will be Xolo Mariduena for his performance in Warner Bros.’ The Blue Beetle, and current Emmy nominee Keivonn Woodard for his performance in HBO’s The Last of Us.

Bleecker Street Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Bobby Cannavale’s Family Dramedy “Ezra”

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale’s latest project is headed to a U.S. theater near you…

Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights to Ezra, the starry family dramedy starring the 53-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor.

Hailing from actor-turned-director Tony Goldwyn, the film is coming off of its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival.

Starring Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, the film is slated for release in theaters in 2024.

Also starring Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg, Ezra follows Max Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comedian, who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra (Fitzgerald).

Described by Deadline as “a touching testament to the power of love, acceptance, and the challenges of parenthood,” the film was written by Tony Spiridakis, with William Horberg, Jon Kilik, Goldwyn and Spiridakis producing.

Isabella Ferreira Signs With Innovative Artists

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Isabella Ferreira is officially innovating…

The 20-year-old Latina actress, one of the young stars of Hulu’s teen dramedy Love, Victor, has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

Set in the same universe as the hit 20th Century Fox film Love, Simon, based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Love, Victor wrapped up a three-season run on the streamer last summer. Created by Love, Simon scribes Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, who also served as showrunners, the show follows the journey of Victor, a high school student coming to terms with his sexuality while navigating the ups and downs of love, family, and friendships.

Starring alongside Michael Cimino as Victor, as well as Ana Ortiz, James Martinez, Rachel Naomi Hilson and others, Ferreira played the role of Pilar, Victor’s sullen younger sister in the throws of teenage angst.

The Philadelphia native also recently starred alongside Rowan Blanchard and Auli’i Cravalho in Crush, the coming-of-age rom-com marking the directorial debut of Sammi Cohen, which was produced for Hulu by companies including American High. In the film released in April of last year, a young aspiring artist is forced to join her high school track team, using it as an opportunity to pursue the girl she’s been harboring a long-time crush on. But she soon finds herself falling for an unexpected teammate and discovers what real love feels like.

Ferreira previously appeared in Jenji Kohan’s Emmy-winning series Orange Is the New Black, as well as the pandemic-inspired anthology series Social Distance, on which Kohan was an EP, both of which were for Netflix.

She’ll next be seen starring alongside Kaitlin Olson, Bobby Cannavale, Scott MacArthur, Mason Thames and more in the upcoming Spyglass film Incoming, a comedy from filmmakers John and Dave Chernin that watches as four freshmen navigate the terrors of adolescence at their first-ever high school party.

Scheana Shay Signs Deal for Representation with Independent Artist Group

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Scheana Shay has new representation…

The 38-year-old half-Mexican American television personality, actress, singer and Vanderpump Rules star has inked a deal with Independent Artist Group.

The announcement comes on the heels of the show’s Season 11 renewal.

Shay has been with the Emmy-nominated Bravo reality series since its 2013 debut season and earlier this year won an MTV Movie & TV Award alongside her female castmates for Best Reality On-Screen Team.

The show was the first spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and charts the personal and professional experiences of the staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants and bars in West Hollywood, California, including SUR Restaurant & Lounge, Pump Restaurant and Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar.

Shay came to the series as a server at SUR, who was building a career as an actress and singer. The SoCal native began her entertainment career with appearances on popular series including Jonas (Disney Channel), 90210 (The CW), Greek (ABC Family), Victorious (Nickelodeon) and Entourage (HBO), and has also been seen in numerous national commercials.

She’s also known for hosting and regular commentator appearances for programs like Steve Harvey and hosts the popular podcast Scheananigans with Scheana Shay, which has a consistent presence across the global charts and over a million monthly downloads. “Good As Gold,” one of Shay’s recent singles as a recording artist, was reconfigured into an Uber One commercial that has gone viral on social media platforms this year.

Hulu Renews Selena Gomez’s “Only Murders in the Building” for Fourth Season

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez isn’t leaving the building just yet…

The 31-year-old Mexican American actress/singer’s critically acclaimed series Only Murders in the Building has been renewed for a fourth season by Hulu.

With the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike is over, the series’ writers room is expected to reconvene shortly.

The Season 3 premiere of Only Murders in the Building had the most viewers of any scripted Hulu Original in 2023. Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd guest-starred in the season that followed Charles, Oliver and Mabel (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Gomez) investigating a murder behind the scenes of a Broadway show.

Rudd played Ben Glenroy, a Hollywood action star whose Broadway debut is cut short by his death, while Streep portrayed Loretta Durkin.

Only Murders in the Building remains Hulu’s most watched comedy original ever. It hails from co-creators and writers Martin and John Hoffman, who executive produce along with Short, Gomez, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.

The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios. In January, it will vie for the Emmy in the Outstanding Comedy Series against Abbott Elementary, Barry, The Bear, Jury Duty, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Ted Lasso and Wednesday.

Short also is up for an Emmy, as is Nathan Lane for starring as Teddy Dimas.

Julio Torres Signs Deal with Ars Nova to Identify, Develop & Commission Projects from Rising Comedy Artists

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Torres is hoping to cultivate new comedic talents…

The 36-year-old Salvadoran writer, comedian and actor has agreed to a deal with Ars Nova, the Off-Broadway, non-profit theater in New York City, that will see them partner to identify, develop, and commission full-length projects from early-career comedy artists.

The collaboration further expands Ars Nova’s two-decade commitment to new comedy at a time when support systems for NYC-based artists have decreased.

Under the partnership, Torres and Ars Nova will look to provide comedians with opportunities for development and production outside of the traditional model of sketch shows and 10-minute sets. They’ll offer funding up front to create brand new, uniquely theatrical shows, while providing mentorship and development resources to the artists involved, the first set for a commission being Ars Nova Vision Residency Alum River L. Ramirez. Others will be announced at a later date.

To celebrate the alliance, the Problemista star will return to the Ars Nova stage on October 26 to host Showgasm. — the theater’s variety-show-meets-party that serves up comedy, burlesque, and more. In addition to the newly commissioned Ramirez, Showgasm. will feature performances by Spike Einbinder, Macy Rodman, and Max Wittert, among others. Tickets are Name Your Price starting at $5 with every dollar going directly to the artists involved.

“This is such a dream—I get to guide Ars Nova into commissioning shows from my brilliant friends, starting with the unique and powerful River L. Ramirez, who has been an inspiration of mine since I met them years ago doing open mics,” said Torres in a statement to Deadline. “Many years ago, John Early introduced me to Ars Nova where I had my first solo show. I’m proud that now I get to put the spotlight on others and give them the resources they need to translate their talent and experience into formal commissions by a welcoming theater.”

Added Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan, “Julio is a singular talent whose groundbreaking work in comedy and television continues to redefine our culture. We’re ecstatic to have him actively in our community again and inspired by his desire to help the next wave of comedy talent break barriers, by getting their work made and seen. Placing this partnership alongside our ongoing comedy residency program CAMP, led by Matt Gehring and Mahayla Laurence, further cements Ars Nova’s commitment to its comedy, music, theater, and everything-in-between, mission.”

A Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, filmmaker and actor, Torres is best known for his Emmy-nominated and WGA-winning writing on Saturday Night Live, the Peabody and GLAAD Award-winning HBO series Los Espookys, which he co-created with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega, and his forthcoming directorial debut Problemista, a comedy he wrote and stars in alongside Tilda Swinton, which premiered at SXSW and will premiere theatrically in 2024, having been one of the many titles pushed out of 2023 amidst the strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.

First performing on the Ars Nova stage in 2014, Torres has also been seen on shows like High Maintenance, Search Party and Shrill, the Ed Helms–Patti Harrison indie Together Together, and on assorted late-night shows, where he’s performed stand-up. His next television series, Fantasmas, will premiere on HBO next year.

Torres previously wrote, produced and directed the comedy special program Pervert Everything for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. They teach performance and public speaking at The Brick Aux in BK, perform experimental comedy at Littlefield in BK, and have been commissioned for original musical and dance-based performances by Baryshnikov Arts Center, Gibney, Ars Nova Vision Residency program, and Moma PS1. Named one of Comedy Central’s Up Next Comedians for 2018, Ramirez has additionally written for High Maintenance and The National Lampoon Radio Hour.

Eva Longoria to Deliver Keynote Address at Mipcom Cannes Next Month

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is preparing for a special keynote address…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, director, producer and Desperate Housewives star will deliver a joint keynote at Mipcom Cannes next month.

Alongside Banijay Americas chairman Cris Abrego, the Emmy-nominated Longoria will delve into the latest themes defining the entertainment industry, forecasting how they may shape the future both creatively and commercially.

The keynote will take place in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Monday, October 16 at 4:00 pm local time, as part of Mipcom’s Media Masterminds track.

Longoria and Abrego have been professional collaborators for more than two decades. Their talk will highlight their experiences and insights as industry leaders.

Besides her acting roles, Longoria has run her own production business UnbeliEVAble Entertainment since 2005. The company is behind ABC’s Grand Hotel, NBC’s Telenovela and Netflix’s Emmy Award-nominated documentary Reversing Row, as well as the culinary docuseries Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico for CNN.

She made her feature directorial debut through Flamin’ Hot, which was released earlier this year through Searchlight Pictures on Disney+ and Hulu, and engages in philanthropic work and activism on issues such as diversity in the media and Latina entrepreneurism.

Abrego, the founder of 51 Minds Entertainment and a key player in the establishment of reality television in the U.S., is one of the most prominent television executives in the Americas and currently leads acquisitions and new business ventures across North and South America for Banijay.

“Mipcom Cannes is one of the industry’s most significant global marketplaces, and it’s an honor to join the conversation as a keynote speaker alongside Cris,” said Longoria. “Our industry is facing tremendous disruption and transformation which can lead to opportunities that can transform and reshape the future of what content looks like. I’m looking forward to discussing how we can drive what’s to come.”

Mipcom will run from October 17-19 in Cannes, France. Several industry keynotes such as Warner Bros Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler have already been announced.

Univision’s Ilia Calderón to Serve as a Moderator for Next Republican Presidential Debate

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ilia Calderón is reporting for debate duty…

The 51-year-old Colombian Emmy-winning journalist, who currently works as the news anchor for Univision’s national evening newscast, and Fox News Media’s Stuart Varney and Dana Perino will serve as the moderators for the next Republican presidential debate, which is set for September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.

Fox Business and Univision are the main networks telecasting the debate, which will air between 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, but Fox News also will simulcast the event at the same time, and Fox Nation will livestream it for its subscribers.

Fox News’s coverage of the first GOP debate last week drew 12.8 million viewers on the network and its simulcast on Fox Business.

Plans have not yet been announced for the third presidential debate, but it’s expected to be held in October in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Donald Trump, the front-runner for the nomination, skipped the first debate and is not expected to attend the Reagan Library event, given his past comments about the chairman of the Reagan Foundation, Fred Ryan.

Candidates also have a higher threshold to qualify for the event. They need to have a minimum of 50,000 unique donors, as well as a minimum of 3 percent in two national polls or a combination of three national and state polls.

“Barbie,” Starring America Ferrera, Becomes Highest-Grossing Movie of the Year in North America

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrera is a box office champ…

Barbie, starring the 39-year-old Honduran American Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, is officially the highest-grossing movie of the year in North America.Greta Gerwig’s fantasy-comedy, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has generated $575.4 million at the domestic box office, overtaking the previous champion, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has collected $574 million domestically.

Barbie has grossed $1.3 billion globally and will soon surpass The Super Mario Bros. Movie (with $1.35 billion globally) as the biggest worldwide release of 2023 as well.

Only two Hollywood blockbusters this year have crossed the $1 billion mark and, notably, neither were superhero adventures or sequels in popular franchises.

Barbie started its record-breaking theatrical run in July with the best debut of the year ($162 million) and remained the No. 1 movie for four consecutive weekends. It also landed the biggest opening weekend for a film directed by a woman and became the highest-grossing movie directed solely by a woman.

At this point, Barbie is the 14th-biggest domestic release and 20th-biggest global release of all time.

Barbie also recently surpassed Christopher Nolan’s superhero epic The Dark Knight ($536 million) as the highest-grossing domestic release in Warner Bros. history. It could eventually eclipse 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($1.34 billion) as the studio’s highest-grossing worldwide release in 100 years.

Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of Lady Bird and Little Women, co-wrote the screenplay with her partner Noah Baumbach. The cotton candy-colored blockbuster follows the popular doll as she leaves behind the seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land to discover the highs and lows of life in the real world. The cast also includes Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu and Michael Cera.

Pedro Pascal Awarded Gold Derby TV Awards’ Performer of the Year Prize

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the Golden hour for Pedro Pascal…

The 48-year-old Chilean actor has claimed the Performer of the Year award, the most coveted prize, at this year’s Gold Derby TV Awards.

That award honors a performer for their overall impact throughout the television season; Pascal’s one-two punch of The Last of Us and Saturday Night Live (for which we also awarded the Best Comedy Guest Actor prize, not to mention his Emmy-nominated narration for the nature program Patagonia helped him secure that prize for the first time, bringing his career total to four Gold Derby TV Awards.

He previously won Best Drama Guest Actor and Best Drama Guest Actor of the Decade (2010-2019) for his stint on Game of Thrones.

More than 1,400 registered Gold Derby users voted worldwide to decide the winners of the 20th annual Gold Derby TV Awards, which honor the best achievements in television and streaming programs from June 2022 through May 2023.

Here’s a look at the complete list of winners:

DRAMA SERIES:
“Succession”

DRAMA ACTRESS:
Sarah Snook, “Succession”

DRAMA ACTOR:
Kieran Culkin, “Succession”

DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Rhea Seehorn, “Better Call Saul”

DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Matthew Macfadyen, “Succession”

DRAMA GUEST ACTRESS:
Harriet Walter, “Succession”

DRAMA GUEST ACTOR:
Nick Offerman, “The Last of Us”

DRAMA EPISODE:
“Succession” – “Connor’s Wedding”
Writer: Jesse Armstrong
Director: Mark Mylod

COMEDY SERIES:
“The Bear”

COMEDY ACTRESS:
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”

COMEDY ACTOR:
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Anthony Carrigan, “Barry”

COMEDY GUEST ACTRESS:
Taraji P. Henson, “Abbott Elementary”

COMEDY GUEST ACTOR:
Pedro Pascal, “Saturday Night Live”

COMEDY EPISODE:
“The Bear” – “Review”
Writer: Joanna Calo
Director: Christopher Storer

LIMITED SERIES:
“Beef”

TV MOVIE:
“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”

LIMITED/MOVIE ACTRESS:
Ali Wong, “Beef”

LIMITED/MOVIE ACTOR:
Steven Yeun, “Beef”

LIMITED/MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Niecy Nash-Betts, “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”

LIMITED/MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Paul Walter Hauser, “Black Bird”

VARIETY SCRIPTED SERIES:
“Saturday Night Live”

VARIETY TALK SERIES:
“The Problem with Jon Stewart”

COMPETITION PROGRAM:
“RuPaul’s Drag Race”

REALITY HOST:
RuPaul Charles, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

ANIMATED PROGRAM:
“Harley Quinn”

PERFORMER OF THE YEAR:
Pedro Pascal

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR:
Ayo Edebiri

ENSEMBLE OF THE YEAR:
“Succession”

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Emmys