Jaime Davila Named to National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Board of Directors

Jaime Davila is coming on Board

The Latino president and co-founder of Campanario Entertainment and executive producer of Netflix’s highly anticipated Selena: The Series has been appointed to the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s (NHMC) National Board of Directors.

Jaime Davila

Davila has been an advocate for mainstream Latino representation in the entertainment industry and an active member of the NHMC. 

Most recently, he served on NHMC’s 2020 Impact Awards Gala Dinner committee to plan and sponsor the event honoring the Latinx community’s media involvement throughout 2019. 

Along with his work on the committee, Davila has also hired NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program alums to projects produced by Campanario Entertainment. 

As a member of the Board, Davila will continue his efforts to bring an impactful presence of Latino stories and representation to film, television and beyond.

“Jaime has been a great ally to our organization, and we are elated to have him join as a Board member,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, the president and CEO of the NHMC. “His knowledge of the industry and determination to amplify Latino voices and authentically tell our stories, will be key as we continue to diversify the entertainment industry.”

“It’s an honor to officially become a part of the NHMC’s board and work with my fellow board members to further strengthen the presence of the Latino community across all media,” said Davila. “Campanario was founded and exists because the entertainment industry, and Hollywood specifically, needs to see that Latino stories matter and are important. It’s been my mission to authentically bring our stories to mainstream audiences. The opportunity to continue to learn from esteemed members of the NHMC that have been at the forefront of this initiative for almost three decades is invigorating.”

Since founding Campanario Entertainment, Davila has created a slate of multilingual content in the US and Mexico, including Netflix’s series about Mexican American star and music icon Selena Quintanilla

His credits also include Bravo’s Mexican Dynastythe documentary Colossus as well as the dramedy Como Sobrevivir Soltero, one of the first Amazon Original series to launch for Amazon Prime Video Mexico.

Davila’s career began at ICM and ITV Studios. He then worked at Bravo Network as a development executive under Andy Cohen where he adapted international formats and developed original series, including Best New RestaurantThe People’s Couch and the docuseries The Extreme Guide to Parentingwhich was created by Davila. He also worked on the team that developed Vanderpump Rules, Below Deck and Shahs of Sunset.

Sheila E to Take Part in Ringo Starr’s 80th Virtual Charity Concert, “Ringo’s Big Birthday Show”

Sheila E is celebrating a music legend…

Ringo Starr is throwing a virtual charity concert to celebrate his 80thbirthday on Tuesday, July 7, with the 62-year-old half-Mexican American percussionist, singer, author and actress set to take part.

Sheila E

Ringo’s Big Birthday Show” will hit YouTube at 8:00 pm EST that night. 

The show will include a mix of at-home performances and unearthed concert footage from Paul McCartneySheryl Crow, Gary Clark, Jr., Sheila E, Ben Harper, and others. 

“I love birthdays,” says Starr.  “This year is going to be a little different. There’s no big get-together, there’s no brunch for 100. But we’re putting this show together – an hour of music and chat. It’s quite a big birthday.”

The show will also include the debut of a new, guest-laden version of Starr’s 2017 song “Give More Love,” with Jackson Browne,Jeff BridgesElvis CostelloWillie Nelson and others. 

Starr will also debut a series of tribute performances on his YouTube channel, from artists including Steve EarlePeter Frampton and Judy Collins

In addition, Starr is asking fans to “say, think, or post #peaceandlove at noon their local time on July 7th.”

The YouTube broadcast will benefit four charities: Black Lives Matter Global NetworkThe David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares and WaterAid.

Sheila E’s last album, Iconic: Message 4 America, was released in August 2017. She released the single “No Line,” featuring Snoop Dog, last year.

Carlos Santana to Perform on CNN’s Independence Day Special, “The Fourth in America”

Carlos Santana is ready to celebrate America’s birthday…

CNN will host a Fourth of July primetime musical special, with the 72-year-old Mexican Grammy-winning guitarist and his wife Cindy Santana set to perform.

Carlos Santana

The special will honor the US military, frontline workers battling the coronavirus pandemic and citizens across the country demanding equality, according to the cable network.

The Fourth in America” special will be hosted by CNN’s Don Lemon in New York and CNN’s Dana Bash in Washington, DC.

In addition to Santana and his wife, the event will feature musical performances from JewelBarry ManilowMartina McBrideKenny LogginsAndy GrammerCeCe WinansPat Benatar and Neil GiraldoThe O’JaysDon McLeanJesse Colin Young and Little Kids RockBurt Bacharach & Musicians from the Berklee College of MusicHarlem Gospel Choir, the original Broadway cast of Girl From the North Country, inspired by the legendary songs of Bob Dylan and the cast of Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations.

The special will air from 8:00 pm-12:00 am ET on CNN.

TheUndefeated.com & Kelley Carter to Hold Roundtable Discussion with “Hamilton” Creator/Star Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s preparing to talk American history this week…

TheUndefeated.com will shine a spotlight on the 40-year-old Puerto Rican Broadway star’s Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton with a roundtable discussion.

Hamilton

Titled The Undefeated Presents: Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter, the special will be held on the Friday, July 3, the same day the filmed version of the ground-breaking musical will begin streaming on Disney+.

The roundtable discussion will feature Hamilton director Thomas Kail as well as the musical’s stars Miranda, who created the musical,  Daveed DiggsRenée Elise GoldsberryLeslie Odom Jr.Anthony RamosPhillipa SooChristopher JacksonJasmine Cephas Jones and Okieriete Onaodowan.

“The story and subject matter that ‘Hamilton’ covers, and the creative vision of its architects and actors, are more timely than ever,” said Jimmy Pitaro, President of ESPN and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. “The Undefeated, and Kelley L. Carter, are uniquely positioned to help connect audiences – whether they have never seen the show, or have seen it 10 times – to the creative process, people and significance of ‘Hamilton’ as it debuts on Disney+.”

During the virtual roundtable, Carter will talk to the original Broadwaycast, who all reprise their roles for the filmed version, about the cultural impact of the musical and how the story parallels the current landscape where those in the margins are fighting for change when it comes to systemic racism and social injustice.

“The cast of Hamilton didn’t come to play, said Carter. “They are accomplished performers who created genre-shifting art, but they also understand this unprecedented time in history and why their voices matter. This special isn’t just about one of the most important pieces of work to ever play on Broadway. This is about how art inspires activation. And, well, how activation inspires great art.”

Paloma Martinez’ “The Edge” Earns Spot on the Inaugural Latinx TV List

Paloma Martinez has made the (Latinx) list…

During the NALIP Media Summit, members of NALIPThe Black List and The Untitled Latinx Project to announced the 10 original television pilots selected as part of the inaugural Latinx TV List, with the Latina filmmaker’s The Edge aka El Borde earning a spot.

Paloma Martinez

Martinez’s pilot centers on a teenage girl US/Mexico border who must prove there’s an unnerving new life form evolving and threatening human existence after a destructive storm triggers the largest sewage spill in the history of North America.

The Black List teamed with the Latin Tracking Board, NALIP, Remezcla and The Untitled Latinx Project for the list. Here were the requirements:

  • Writers should be Latinos residing currently in the US – any country of origin or other status is fine
  • Any kind of story is eligible and will be considered
  • All scripts must have one Latinx character in a prominent, lead role
  • Scripts can be bilingual as long as they are written primarily in English
  • Half-hours and one-hours considered. No webseries.
  • All levels of experience considered for submitting writers
  • Scripts submitted should be as free from attachments as possible
  • Writers must be at least 18 years of age upon submission

The writers on the Latinx TV List will have their pilots shared with Hulu, which plans to offer a WGAminimum blind pilot script deal to two of the writers or writing teams, in addition to meeting with all 10 writers selected. Writers selected by Hulu may decide whether or not to accept any deal offered by Hulu — the final decision remains entirely in the hands of the writer.

“NALIP is thrilled to have partnered once again with the Black List for the Latinx TV List,” said Ben Lopez. “We have always aimed to be a platform for underrepresented communities and the winners now have a chance to tell their incredible stories. We also applaud Hulu in their commitment to the Latinx community. In collaboration with our partners, The Black List, Untitled Latinx Project, Latin Tracking Board, and Remezcla, we would like to sincerely congratulate this year’s Latinx TV List!”

Here are the 10 selected scripts for the Latinx TV List in alphabetical order:

CUBA LIBRE by Niko Gutierrez-Kovner 
CUBA LIBRE tells the story of Fidel Castro’s revolution through the eyes of a couple who become crucial to its success, risking their marriage, their livelihoods, and their lives for a movement that ultimately loses sight of the people in one man’s blind pursuit of power.

THE EDGE/EL BORDE by Paloma Martinez

After a destructive storm triggers the largest sewage spill in the history of North America at the US/Mexico border, a local teenage girl must prove there is an unnerving new life form evolving and threatening human existence.

HOME by AJ Mendez

A dark comedy about a young Latina who struggles to re-enter the world after surviving a suicide attempt, but uses her comatose Mormon roommate’s seemingly perfect identity to start fresh.

INSIDE CUNT by Anna Salinas
A brash 28-year-old Nuyorican is pulled into a dangerous world of international espionage when her vagina suddenly starts intercepting Russian spy signals.

KOOKY, THE POST-APOCALYPTIC COCKROACH by Dax de la Monta

Miggy, a perpetually upbeat and slightly naive loser, must survive a road trip across a nuclear wasteland with the help of his misfit coworker, old school abuelo, and a wisecracking chatterbox who happens to be a giant, mutated cockroach.

MACHO LIBRE by Marcelina Chavira

After his fathers pass away, a mature and woke AF 11 year-old boy is forced to move in with his estranged, old school, super macho, ex-luchador grandfather above the aging man’s eccentric wrestling academy.

NOVIA by Giovanni J. Maldonado Chinea & Myles Clifford Hawthorne

In 1929, a young girl escapes her abusive life in Mexico City for Los Angeles and the promise of stardom in a Spanish-language version of the Universal classic, DRACULA — only to find that the monsters of one’s past don’t simply vanish, but follow. Based on the true story of Lupita Tovar.

PAPI by Dominic Colón

PAPI, is a half hour dramedy that explores the life of Kilo Rodriguez, a closeted bisexual barber from the Bronx, who on his 21st birthday, unexpectedly gets custody of his foul-mouthed six-year old daughter. As Kilo tries to navigate becoming an adult, while avoiding the temptations of the streets, and understanding his fluid sexuality, he embarks on a transformative journey discovering what it takes to be a good “Papi.”

SUNPATCH ALLEY by Juan Carlos Fernandez
The times, they are a-changin’ in this dark, comedic drama set in 1970’s New York. GRACIE FUENTES, the creative director of a popular kids’ show, finds her noble pursuits of inclusion continually steamrolled by the show’s sexist and alcoholic star, LOUIE BARNETT. But when the station is taken over by the crime family Louie is indebted to, Gracie seizes the opportunity to take matters into her own hands. “Sesame’s mean streets.”

USERNAME by Barbara Soares
After joining an A.I. talent agency where she impersonates a CGI Instagram celebrity, a hacker finds herself at the center of a high-stakes conspiracy when that same celebrity begins enlisting her followers to commit suicide.

Rosie Perez’s “Do The Right Thing” Heading to Drive-In Theaters This Summer as Part of Michael B. Jordan’s “A Night at the Drive-in”

Rosie Perez classic is heading to the drive-in…

Amazon Studios and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society are hosting a nationwide summer screening series “A Night at the Drive-In” with a line-up of features celebrating diverse voices in cinemas, including the 55-year-old Puerto Rican actress and activist’s Do The Right Thing.

Rosie Perez

The series kicks off on July 1 and runs through August 26. Attendance will be at no cost to local communities for the double feature-program. As part of the concessions for the screenings, all attendees will receive refreshments provided by Black and Brown owned businesses, which are Path WaterPipcorn Popcorn and Partake Cookies

The line-up was curated by Jordan’s newly formed marketing arm 8788 and Outlier Society, every other week through the end of August.

“When Michael and our friends at Outlier proposed this idea, we instantly agreed there was no better time to celebrate these inspired films featuring diverse stories while bringing communities together to share in the experience” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Drive-in theaters offer a unique experience in that they provide an inspiring and joyful communal experience while still maintaining safe social distance. A special thanks to our friends and colleagues at Sony PicturesWarner Bros., DisneyUniversal Pictures and Paramount Pictures.”

“With this drive-in summer series, I hope that friends and families are able to not only enjoy, but to learn and grow,” said Michael B. Jordan, Principal of Outlier Society. “Now more than ever, amplifying Black and Brown stories means engaging culture to speak to hearts and minds about the world we live in. As we use this opportunity to reimagine community and proximity, I am excited that these films will be shared and celebrated all across the country.”

Do The Right Thing, directed by Spike Lee, featured Perez in her breakthrough film performance as Tina. It will hit the drive-in on August 12 in the “Movies to Open Your Eyes” category.

Here’s a look at the featured titles and special themes:

Movies to make you fall in love:
Love & Basketball (Warner Bros. / New Line)
Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros.)

Movies that make you proud:
Black Panther (Disney)
Creed (Warner Bros.)

Movies to inspire your inner child:
Hook (Sony Pictures)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Sony Pictures)

Movies to make you open your eyes:
Do The Right Thing (Universal)
Get Out (Universal)

Movies to make you laugh:
Coming to America (Paramount Pictures)
Girls Trip (Universal)

Drive In Poster

Participating theaters include:
Vineland Drive-In – Los Angeles, CA
Overlook Drive-In – New York, NY
Solano Twin Drive-In – San Francisco, CA
Sacramento Drive-In 6 – Sacramento, CA
Las Vegas 6 Drive-In – Las Vegas, NV
Shankweiler’s Drive-In – Philadelphia, PA
Galaxy Drive-In – Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
Showboat Drive-In – Houston, TX
Ford Wyoming Drive-In – Detroit, MI
Springmill Drive-In – Cleveland, OH
South Drive-In Twin – Columbus, OH
Jesup Drive-In Twin – Savannah, GA|
Bengies Drive-In – Baltimore, MD
Ocala Drive-In – Orlando, FL
Parkway Drive-In – Knoxville, TN
Midway Twin Drive-In – Cleveland, OH
Glendale Drive-in – Phoenix, AZTransit Drive-In – Buffalo, NY
Badin Drive-In – Charlotte, NC
Monetta Drive-In – Augusta-Aiken, SC

Sebastian Yatra’s “TBT” with Rauw Alejandro & Manuel Turizo Hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart

Sebastian Yatra is at the top of his singing game…

The 25-year-old Colombian singer’s “TBT” single with Rauw Alejandro and Manuel Turizo has reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart dated June 27.

Sebastian Yatra

The track rises to the top spot after spending three weeks in the top 10.

“TBT” ascends 3-1 thanks to a lofty 62% in audience impressions (to 12 million) earned in the week ending June 21, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data, and pushes up the overall Latin Airplay chart, jumping 5-2.

“TBT” dethrones the Black Eyed Peas’ one-week reign with “Mamacita,” with Ozuna and J.Rey Soul on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart.

Maite Alberdi Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Maite Alberdi has new representation…

The 37-year-old Chilean producer, director, documentarianand screenwriter has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation in all areas. 

Maite Alberdi,

Alberdi runs the production company Micromundo Productions and is known for making documentaries that paint intimate portraits of characters in small-scale worlds.

Most recently, Alberdi directed and wrote the documentary The Mole Agent, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for “World Cinema – Documentary” at the 2020 Sundance Film FestivalThe Mole Agent was also nominated for awards at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Miami Film Festival, among others.

Ahead of the film’s Sundance screening, Alberdi won the prestigious 2020 Chicken & Egg Award, which annually recognizes six experienced documentarians.

Previously, Alberdi directed, produced, and wrote the 2016 feature documentary The Grown-Ups. Her additional credits include the documentary short I’m Not From Here and the feature documentaries Tea Time and The Lifeguard

Alberdi also co-authored the book Teorías de cine documental en Chile 1957-1973.

Quibi to Stream All-Star Remake of “The Princess Bride” Featuring Jenna Ortega

It’s a royal moment for Jenna Ortega

Starting Monday, Quibi will stream an all-star remake of The Princess Bride filmed by actors at home while in quarantine, including the 17-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress.

Jenna Ortega

In addition to Ortega, the re-creation will feature an A-list cast that includes couples Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner,Common and Tiffany HaddishNeil Patrick Harris and David Burtka and Chris Pine and Annabelle Wallis, along with Hugh JackmanJennifer GarnerElijah Wood, Jon HammBeanie FeldsteinLucas HedgesJack BlackDavid OyelowoKeegan-Michael KeyPatton OswaltJosh GadAndy SerkisDiego LunaTaika Waititi and Zazie Beetz and more.

Directed by Jason Reitman, the project will see Common playing the heroic Westley (originated by Cary Elwes), Haddish as Princess Buttercup (first played by Robin Wright), and Jackman as the villainous Humperdinck, to name a few.

The Princess Bride’s director, Rob Reiner, will also appear in the remake, along with Fred Savage, who reprises his role as the grandson in the film.

Beginning June 29, Quibi will release chapters of the made-at-home movie daily for two weeks.

The remake also is aiding a good cause. As part of the project, Quibi has donated $1 million to chef José Andrés’ charity World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those who have been most affected by the coronaviruspandemic.

The remake of The Princess Bridewas first reported by Vanity Fair.

YouTube Greenlights Four-Part Docuseries About Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato’s opening up to the world…

YouTube has given the green light to a four-part documentary series following the 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress.

Demi Lovato

The still-untitled series will be directed by Michael D. Ratner, who directed and executive produced Quibi’s recent &Music series.

The new docuseries will follow Lovato on her personal and musical journey over the past three years. Earlier this year, Lovato gave an emotional performance at the Grammys after taking time off after a highly publicized overdose, and later sang the National Anthem before Super Bowl 54 between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The project comes nearly two years after the digital platform and the This Is Me singer were set to do a follow-up doc to Demi Lovato: Simply Confidential.

That film, which was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, was released in 2017 and has been viewed more than 32 million times. It chronicled the recording of her Tell Me You Love Me record and her life and career including her stint on the Disney Channel and her struggles with bipolar disorder and addition.

The Google-owned service had been in talks to make a follow-up film in 2018 before Lovato overdosed and that project was put on hold. 

She reportedly recently watched Justin Bieber’s docuseries and reached out to YouTube to say she’s ready to make another doc.