Gravitas Ventures Acquires North American Rights to Melissa Barrera’s Drama “All the World is Sleeping”

Melissa Barrera will be sleeping throughout the U.S.

Gravitas Ventures has picked up the North American rights to the drama All the World is Sleeping, starring the 32-year-old Mexican actress and Scream reboot star.

Melissa BarreraThe film is slated for release in theaters and on demand on March 17.

Written and directed by Ryan LacenAll the World is Sleeping follows Chama (Barrera), who as a young girl in New Mexico, strived to be different from her mother. Now in her twenties, she’s found herself falling into a similar cycle of generational addiction. This struggle then threatens her balance as a mother to her own daughter. As Chama tries to keep it all together, a harrowing accident will spiral her out of control, causing her daughter to be taken from her custody. With nothing left, she’ll have to confront her past in order to fight for a future — one that can either guide her closer to getting her daughter back or lead her deeper into this dangerous cycle.

The film also stars Jackie Cruz, Jorge Garcia, Kristen Gutoskie, Valentina Herrera, Lisandra Tena and Luis Bordonada.

“This film is not only based on the lived experiences of seven women with a history of addiction, it was made by them. Through a unique collaboration with the non-profit Bold Futures, their stories and input shaped this film throughout its development and production,” Lacen told Deadline. “As a director, whose own family has been affected by addiction, my intention was to create a film that felt truthful while unraveling in a unique, visually cerebral way. All the World is Sleeping is grounded in the axiom that while this is a movie, we understand that these moments are happening all around us. Hopefully it gets the audience talking.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing All the World is Sleeping to theaters and homes this upcoming March,” added Gravitas’ Senior Director of Acquisitions, Danielle Gasher. “Melissa Barrera delivers an incredible performance as a young mother battling addiction. We are proud to be the North American partner for such a hard-hitting drama.”

Barrera was introduced as Sam Carpenter — the daughter of Ghostface killer Billy Loomis, who comes to have her own brush with death — in 2022’s Scream relaunch from Paramount, and will reprise the role in the classic horror franchise’s latest entry Scream IV, out on March 10.

Also coming up for her is the Kwame Kwei-Armah film The Collaboration, based on the play of the same name, which has her starring alongside Paul Bettany, Daniel Brühl, Jeremy Pope and more.

Luis Fonsi to Make Feature Film Acting Debut in Patrick Perez Vidauri’s Rom-Com “The Answer to My Prayer”

Luis Fonsi’s prayers have been answered…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer and Grammy winner will make his feature film acting debut in Patrick Perez Vidauri’s rom-com The Answer to My Prayer.

Luis FonsiIn addition to Fonsi, the film will also star Vannessa VasquezJackie Cruz, Vivian LamolliChris Kattan, Angélica María and Dyana Ortelli.

Written by Nancy De Los Santos-Reza, the film follows the romantic travails of three friends whose destinies are changed by an ancient prayer that guides them to true love. Vidauri and Cristina Nava’s Migrant Filmworks, Inc. is producing alongside Citizen Skull Productions, with Edward James Olmos executive producing.

Production is set to kick off in Texas next week.

In 1992, Fonsi made a brief cameo in the romance film Como Agua Para Chocolate. In 2004, Fonsi made his second acting appearance on the Mexican telenovela named Corazones al límite. He also had a special appearance in 2001 on the Nickelodeon television series Taina. Fonsi joined the cast of Broadway‘s Forever Tango for a two-week engagement in August 2013.

Jackie Cruz Replaces Stephanie Beatriz in the Horror-Thriller “History of Evil”

Jackie Cruz is embracing a new history

The 35-year-old Dominican-American actress, singer, former model and Orange is The New Black star is replacing Stephanie Beatriz as co-lead in the horror-thriller film History of Evil, which recently wrapped production.

Jackie CruzPaul Wesley co-stars in the feature, which was pre-bought by AMC’s genre streamer Shudder for release in North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Beatriz reportedly had to switch out before the film’s early May start due to scheduling conflicts.

Written and directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Bo Mirhosseni, the film is being produced by genre specialists XYZ FilmsUnder the Shadow outfit Two & Two Pictures and Jake Siegel.

In History Of Evil, a family on the run from a corrupt state takes refuge in a safe house with an evil past — a terrifying last stop on a near-future Underground Railroad.

The film is the first project under a pact between XYZ Films and Two & Two Pictures to make films from first- and second-time genre directors from under-represented demographics.

The pact is set to produce two to three pictures a year initially and was hatched as a result of XYZ Films partnering with Two & Two on Babak Anvari’s Under the Shadow, which went on to win a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. The companies most recently collaborated on Anvari’s third feature film, I Came By, which is currently in post-production for Netflix.

Cruz is best known for starring in Netflix’s hit series Orange Is The New Black. Her recent features include the Bruce Willis actioner Midnight In The Switchgrass and the thriller Panama with Mel Gibson and Cole Hauser.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Take Part in Virtual Birthday Fundraiser for Harry Belafonte

Lin-Manuel Miranda is helping celebrate a living legend…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican actor, singer, songwriter, rapper, composer, director, producer, author and playwright will honor Harry Belafonte, who will turn 94 years old on March 1, during a virtual birthday concert.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Miranda is among a cadre of friends and famous fans that will gather this Sunday for a virtual event that will feature performances, video tributes and testimonials by civil rights and racial justice leaders, politicians, artists, athletes and more. It will serve as a fundraiser for Belafonte’s Gathering for Justice organization and is sponsored in part by the Hope and Robert F. Smith family.

Belafonte founded the organization in 2005 after seeing a news story of a 5-year-old Black girl who was cuffed and arrested in her Florida classroom for “being unruly.” Since then, the organization’s mission is to build a movement to end child incarceration while working to eliminate racial inequities.

Titled The Gathering for Harry, the event will feature Common, Danny Glover, Alfre Woodard, Chuck D, Bernie and Jane Sanders, Stacey Abrams, Aloe Blacc, Tamika D. Mallory, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jackie Cruz, Aja Monet, Mysonne the General, Diane Nash, Carmen Perez-Jordan, DJ Carisma, Bryan Stevenson, Bernadette Peters, Christopher Jackson, Tony Shalhoub and more.

As of February 23, event organizers announced that Jay-Z was confirmed to appear to accept a Gatekeeper of Truth Award. Also new to the list are Tiffany Haddish, Usher, Miranda, Charlamagne Tha God, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Susan Sarandon, Pete Buttigieg and others.

The virtual party will be held Sunday, February 28, at 7:00 pm ET.

More information about how to take part in the event can be found here.

Jackie Cruz Signs with Management Company All Parts Move

Jackie Cruz is on the Move

The 33-year-old Dominican-American singer and actress has signed a deal with All Parts Move, which will be guiding her music career.

Jackie Cruz

The Miami-based artist management company is involved in all aspects of the artist’s career while providing complete individualized services, including long term career and strategic planning, creative execution and A&R, as noted on the official APM website. 

“I don’t feel like I belong anywhere, so I want to make music for the kids like me,” Cruz, known for portraying Flaca on Orange Is the New Black, previously told Billboard. “I want to make bilingual music. I really don’t want to say, ‘What’s my genre?’ My genre is my life. Everything is going to blend well but will also describe who I am and what I grew up listening to.”

As an artist, Cruz has dropped singles like “La Hora Loca,” “Don’t Waste My Time,” “Melly 16,” and most recently Lucia Ocho” featuring Nina Sky.

Cruz’s bilingual album titled Hija de Chavez is scheduled for an October release.

Becky G to Take Part in Latinx Activism Panel at the Billboard Latin Music Conference

Becky G is ready to motivate the next generation of activists…

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer/actress, who recently made her big screen debut in the Power Rangers, will take center stage at the “Latinx Activism: Giving Voice To a New Social Rising” panel discussion at the annual Billboard Latin Music Conference.

Becky G

Becky G will be joined on the panel by Orange Is the New Black’s Jackie Cruz and civil rights activist and co-founder of the Women’s March Carmen Perez

The discussion, with Billboard‘s deputy editor Isabel Gonzalez-Whitaker as moderator, will take place on April 26 joining other star-studded panels taking place throughout the week.

Becky G is up for hot Latin songs artist of the year, female at the 2017 Billboard Latin Music Awards taking place April 27 at the University of Miami‘s Watsco Center.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards are the culmination of the Billboard Latin Music Conference, taking place April 24-27 at the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach.

Leyva’s “Orange Is The New Black” to Air on Sony Channel UK

Selenis Leyva will be serving time across the pond…

Sony Pictures Television Networks has taken UK linear rights to Lionsgate’s Orange Is The New Black, starring the 44-year-old Cuban and Dominican actress.

Selenis Leyva

The series, about engaged Brooklynite Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), whose decade-old relationship with drug-runner Alex (Laura Prepon) results in her arrest and year-long detention in a federal penitentiary, will have its broadcast premiere on Sony Channel UK.

Season one of the series will launch with a double bill in the territory every Wednesday from April 19.

“We recognize the demand for premium content that appeals to a broad audience, which is exactly what Orange Is The New Black offers,” said Kate Marsh, SPTN’s Exec VP, Western Europe, International Networks. “It is widely recognized as a must-see series that we’re pleased to make part of our offering on Sony Channel.”

In addition to Leyva, Schilling and Prepon, the series also stars Jackie Cruz, Laura Gómez, Diane Guerrero, Dascha Polanco and Elizabeth Rodriguez.

The cast of Orange Is the New Black has taken home the SAG Award for best ensemble in a comedy series award for the last three years.

Cruz’s “Orange Is the New Black” Named Best Comedy Ensemble at the SAG Awards

Life’s still a SAG (award) for Jackie Cruz

The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards recognized the best performances for the year in both television and film on Sunday night, with the 30-year-old Dominican-American actress, musician and former model’s Orange Is the New Black taking home the best ensemble in a comedy series award.

Jackie Cruz & the Orange Is The New Black Latinas

Orange Is the New Black won the comedy ensemble trophy for the third straight year.

The prison comedy-drama series topped The Big Bang Theory, Black-ish, Veep, and Modern Family, which won the award for four years before Orange Is the New Black started its streak.

In addition to Cruz, Latina actresses in the ensemble cast include Laura Gómez, Diane Guerrero, Selenis Leyva, Dascha Polanco and Elizabeth Rodriguez.

The awards were handed out at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles.