Tessa Thompson Joins Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees

Tessa Thompson has joined the board…

The nonprofit Sundance Institute has announced four newly appointed additions to the Institute’s Board of Trustees, including the 40-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress.

Tessa Thompson,Thompson, Pete NicksNina Fialkow and Kimberly Steward have joined the leaders who guide the entire organization and also act in an advisory capacity.

They add to the Institute’s Board of values-based leaders, building an enduring, evolving community for storytellers. The distinguished new Trustees will work closely with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente and bring invaluable experience.

“As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs of independent artists, we welcome these new members of our Board, each of whom has an incredible commitment to independent film and a long history with the Institute,” said Burnough. “Together, the Board is poised to identify new and strengthened ways to uplift independent storytellers.”

“We are so pleased to have Tessa, Pete, Nina, and Kimberly join as Trustees on the Board of Sundance Institute. They bring expertise and valuable perspectives that will be meaningful as we continue to evolve as a cultural organization,” said Vicente.

Thompson is an award-winning actor and producer, Nicks is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Fialkow is an award-winning producer, and Steward is an Academy Award-nominated producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

“Both the Sundance Film Festival and the Institute have served as an artistic home for me throughout my career. I’m proud to expand this journey by joining the board to eagerly serve a community that has been so incredibly impactful to me and countless others,” said Thompson.

They join current members on the Institute’s Board: Robert Redford, President & Founder; Burnough, Chair; Sean Bailey, Vice Chair; Gigi Pritzker, Vice Chair; Jason Blum, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Philipp Engelhorn, Caterina Fake, Jeanne Donovan Fisher, Robert J. Frankenberg, Patrick Gaspard, Donna Gruneich, Cindy Harrell Horn, Uzodinma Iweala, Amanda Kelso, Charles D. King, Lyn Davis Lear, Ann Lewnes, Wonya Lucas, Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, Shripriya Mahesh, Pat Mitchell, Bill Plapinger, Amy Redford, Geoffrey K. Sands, Nadine Schiff-Rosen, Barry Tyerman and Lulu Wang.

Here are the bios for the new trustees:

NINA FIALKOW is an Oscar, BAFTA, and Emmy Award-winning producer and a member of Impact Partners, a New York-based film funding group focused on telling stories around social justice. She and her husband David Fialkow also have a production entity, New Lane Media.

Nina served as Chair of the Massachusetts Cultural Council from 2016 until June 2023, an appointment by Governor Charlie Baker. Nina and her husband David have played a direct role in launching the Transmedia Storytelling Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which will teach media-based storytelling from film through augmented reality. In addition, she is on the International Council for The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She also serves on the National Committee for Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. where she sits on the Executive Committee.

PETE NICKS is an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, producer, and director known for his immersive cinema vérité Oakland trilogy. His critically acclaimed feature documentary The Waiting Room won an Independent Spirit Award and was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2012. The Force, the second in the trilogy explores the interconnected narratives of health care, criminal justice and education, and won the 2017 Sundance Directing Prize. Homeroom, the final film in the trilogy, won the inaugural Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. His most recent film, Stephen Curry: Underrated, about the rise of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Nicks co-founded Proximity Media with Ryan Coogler and oversees the Nonfiction Division. He is the recipient of the SFFS/KRF screenwriting grant and a United States Artists Fellow. He received his B.A. from Howard University and his Masters from UC Berkeley.

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KIMBERLY STEWARD is an Academy Award-nominated producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Steward produced the six-time Academy Award nominated Manchester By The Sea; Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria; The True Adventures Of Wolfboy; Topside which premiered at SXSW and the Venice Film Festival; Secret Life Of Bees (theatre); Sing Street (theatre); the Afro-centric documentaries Opposite Field and Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and The Emergence Of A People.

Most recently she produced The Accidental Getaway Driver, which won the US Dramatic Directing Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and The Vanishings at Caddo Lake, which was produced with M. Night Shyamalan.

In 2023, Kimberly and the K Period Media Foundation partnered with Blumhouse and collaborated with Sundance to launch the Screamwriters Fellowship. Kimberly proudly serves on the boards of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, One Community, Ava DuVernay’s Array Alliance, the Fresh Air Fund, and the Ubuntu Council of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.

TESSA THOMPSON is an award-winning actor and producer. She most recently reprised her role as ‘Bianca’ in Creed III directed by Michael B. Jordan. In 2020, Thompson starred in Amazon Prime’s Sylvie’s Love, which she Executive Produced. In 2021, Thompson starred in the indie film, Passing, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and she also Executive Produced. Thompson’s past credits include Thor: Love and Thunder, Creed, Creed II, Men in Black: International, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Little Woods, Annihilation, Sorry to Bother You, Selma, Dear White People, and Westworld.

In 2019, Thompson was featured on the cover of TIME magazine as a trailblazer and “Leader of the Next Generation.” Her upcoming project includes starring in the title role of ‘Hedda Gabler’ in Nia DaCosta’s film Hedda for MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B.

With these additions, the Sundance Institute board comprises 32 people, 14 of whom self-identify as BIPOC. The board is 44% men and 56% women.

Maria Becerra to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Maria Becerra is preparing to hit the Latin Grammys stage…

The 23-year-old Argentine singer and former YouTube content creator will perform at the 24th annual Latin Grammy awards show.

Maria BecerraBecerra is among a roster of A-list performers that includes Bizarrap, FeidKany GarcíaCarin LeónChristian NodalRauw Alejandro and Alejandro Sanz.

The Latin Recording Academy announced the first round of performers on Tuesday, October 17 for the upcoming ceremony, which will broadcast from FIBES in Seville, Spain, on Thursday, November 16.

Four-time nominee Becerra is nominated in categories including song of the year and best reggaeton performance.

Meanwhile, Bizarrap is nominated in six categories, including producer of the year.

Feid is a five-time nominee with entries in best urban music album and best rap/hip-hop song.

García is nominated for best regional song.

León is in the running for best norteño album.

Nodal is up for best ranchero/mariachi album and best regional song.

Alejandro is a best urban music album nominee, and Sanz is nominated in record of the year and song of the year.

This year, Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees with 13 nods, including songwriter of the year, producer of the year and song of the year. Barrera is followed by Colombian stars Camilo, Karol G, Shakira and composer Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (also known as Keityn), each with seven nominations.

The Latin Grammy Week will include the person of the year gala — honoring Laura Pausini — and the special awards ceremony, the leading ladies of entertainment luncheon, the best new artist showcase and a reception for the nominees, among other events.

The 24th annual Latin Grammys will be broadcast on November 16 on Univision starting at 8:00 pm ET, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30 pm CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain. Additional international broadcasting partners and local airings will be available soon.

Swizz Beatz to Perform as Part of Pass The Mic Live! Segment at Spirit of Life Gala

Swizz Beatz is embracing the spirit of life

The 45-year-old half-Puerto Rican recording artist, music producer and entrepreneur will perform at next week’s Spirit of Life Gala honoring Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google.

Swizz BeatzThe event will feature a one-time-only edition of DJ Cassidy’s celebrated Pass The Mic Live!, a segment that will showcase more than a dozen hip-hop and R&B artists, including Swizz Beatz.

Others appearing in the showcase include Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Dru Hill, EPMD, Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek and T.I., all of whom have played a part in Cohen’s 40-year legacy spanning Rush Management, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Warner Music Group, 300 Entertainment and beyond.

The sold-out gala is taking place on October 18 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. It’s a fundraiser for City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic series quickly transformed from viral sensation to primetime TV series on BET. Now a live tour, DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! recently sold out Radio City Music Hall in New York with a one-time-only concert featuring 25 icons of hip-hop’s golden era.

“As a 10-year-old deejay and hip-hop kid growing up in New York City, I idolized Lyor Cohen long before he ever knew my name,” DJ Cassidy said in a statement. “Then, as his Def Jam intern in my high school years, a hero became a mentor. I am truly honored to bring Pass The Mic Live’ to City Of Hope and celebrate Lyor’s commitment to making the best health care available to hip-hop fans and performers by uniting a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of iconic artists who have influenced his massive musical legacy and hip-hop’s global influence as a whole.”

City of Hope is celebrating 50 years of partnership with the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) fundraising group. Over this period, industry executives and influencers have raised nearly $150 million to benefit City of Hope’s mission to transform the future of cancer care.

Kid Cudi Partners with Star Trek Franchise for New “Boldly Be” Campaign

Kid Cudi is releasing an out of this world collaboration…

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer, songwriter and actor is partnering with Star Trek for the sci-fi franchise’s new campaign.

Kid Cudi x Star TrekThe “Day ‘n’ Nite” rapper will be the face of its latest campaign titled “Boldly Be.” 

The collaboration is set to launch at New York Comic Con — held at the Javits Center — on October 12, and features a Fortnite gaming experience, a streetwear capsule collection and a new song from the rapper titled “Heaven’s Galaxy.”

Kid Cudi’s fandom of the franchise inspired “Heaven’s Galaxy,” which was produced by Dot Da Genius. The track will be available on streaming starting on October 12.

The Star Trek x Cudi streetwear collection includes tees, crewnecks, hoodies, a custom button-up T-shirt and a colorful leather varsity jacket.

NYCC attendees can hit up Star Trek x Kid Cudi’s booth 2653 to pre-order items from the collaboration, with the collection dropping on Kid Cudi’s website on October 16.

The Fornite experience, titled Star Trek x Kid Cudi: Mirror Mayhem, will see Kid Cudi stepping into the world of the franchise and the popular video game.

“Heaven’s Galaxy” will be in the game, in addition to previously unheard songs from the rapper’s forthcoming album, INSANO. 

According to the press release, players can “partner with Captain Skyles (Kid Cudi) on a mission to uncover the source of a sonic anomaly that threatens the peaceful planet Vada.”

The collab’s NYCC booth will also offer a first look at the gaming experience.

Selena Gomez Earns Three MTV Europe Music Awards

Selena Gomez is the leader of the Latinx pack…

The 31-year-old Mexican American singer/actress leads all Latino/a nominees for the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards with three nods.

Selena GomezGomez, who had previously earned five MTV EMA nods, is nominated for Best Song and Best Collaboration for her Rema-collaboration “Calm Down,” as well as Biggest Fans.

Anitta is nominated in two categories.

The 30-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter is nominated for Best Latin, an award she won last year, and Biggest Fans.

Ice Spice, a first time MTV EMAs nominee, has picked up three nods.

The 23-year-old half-Dominican American singer/rapper is up for Best New and Best Push, as well as Best Collaboration for her PinkPantheress-collab “Boys A Liar Pt. 2.”

Cardi B has earned two nominations.

The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar and two-time MTV VMAs-winner is up for Best Hip-Hop and Best Video for her Megan Thee Stallion collaboration “Bongos.”

Karol G and Shakira are both nominated in the same two categories. The Colombian artists are up for Best Collaboration for “TQG;” and they’ll compete against each other in the Best Latin category.

Peso Pluma has picked up his first ever MTV EMAs nods.

The 24-year-old Mexican artist, the sole Latino artist with multiple nods, is up for Best New and Best Latin.

Other nominees include Jared Leto (and his Thirty Seconds to Mars band mates), Bad Bunny, Rosalia and Robert Trujillo (and his Metallica band mates).

This year’s event will be broadcast live to more than 150 countries on November 5 from the Paris Nord, marking the first time the ceremony has returned to the City of Light since 1995; the show will also be available in a number of international territories on Pluto TV and on-demand on Paramount+.

Fans can vote for their favorite categories; voting will be open through 11:59 p.m. CET on October 31. Fans in 24 regions around the world will be able to vote for their favorite performers in the best local act category.

Here’s complete list of 2023 MTV EMAs nominees:

Best Song
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”
Jung Kook feat. Latto – “Seven”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” 

Best Video
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos”
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”
Little Simz – “Gorilla”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Best Artist
Doja Cat
Miley Cyrus
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
Taylor Swift  

Best Collaboration
Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter”
David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”
KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG”
Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage – “Creepin’”
PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”
Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” 

Best New
Coi Leray
FLO
Ice Spice
Peso Pluma
PinkPantheress
Reneé Rapp

Best Pop
Billie Eilish
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Miley Cyrus
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift

Best Afrobeats
Asake
Aya Nakamura
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Rema 

Best Rock
Arctic Monkeys
Foo Fighters
Måneskin
Metallica
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Killers

Best Latin
Anitta
Bad Bunny
KAROL G
Peso Pluma
ROSALÍA
Shakira

Best K-pop
FIFTY FIFTY
Jung Kook
NewJeans
SEVENTEEN
Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Best Alternative
Blur
Fall Out Boy
Lana Del Rey
Paramore
Thirty Seconds To Mars
YUNGBLUD

Best Electronic
Alesso
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Swedish House Mafia
Peggy Gou
Tiësto 

Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B
Central Cee
Lil Wayne
Lil Uzi Vert
Metro Boomin
Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott

Best R&B
Chlöe
Chris Brown
Steve Lacy
Summer Walker
SZA
Usher 

Best Live
Beyoncé
Burna Boy
Ed Sheeran
Måneskin
SZA
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd 

Best Push
November 2022: Flo Milli
December 2022: Reneé Rapp
January 2023: Sam Ryder
February 2023: Armani White
March 2023: FLETCHER
April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER
May 2023: Ice Spice
June 2023: FLO
July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith
August 2023: Kaliii
September 2023: GloRilla
October 2023: Benson Boone

Biggest Fans
Anitta
Billie Eilish
BLACKPINK
Jung Kook
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
Sabrina Carpenter
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift

Best Group
aespa
FLO
Jonas Brothers
Måneskin
NewJeans
OneRepublic
SEVENTEEN
TOMORROW X TOGETHER 

2023 MTV EMA Best Local Act Nominees:

Best African Act
Asake
Burna Boy
Libianca
Tyler ICU
Diamond Platnumz 

Best Asia Act
BE:FIRST
BRIGHT
Moria
Tiara Andini
TREASURE 

Best Australian Act
Budjerah
G Flip
Kylie Minogue
The Kid LAROI
Troye Sivan 

Best Brasilian Act
Anavitoria
Kevin O Chris
Luisa Sonza
Manu Gavassi
Matue

Best Canadian Act
Charlotte Cardin
Drake
Jamie Fine
Shania Twain
The Beaches 

Best Caribbean Act
Eladio Carrion
Mora
Myke Towers
Rauw Alejandro
Young Miko

Best Dutch Act
FLEMMING
Idaly
Kriss Kross Amsterdam
S10
Zoë Tauran 

Best French Act
Aime Simone
Aya Nakamura
Bigflo & Oli
Louane
Ninho
Slimane 

Best German Act
Apache 207
AYLIVA
Kontra K
Luciano
Nina Chuba
Ski Aggu 

Best Hungarian Act
ajsa luna
Analog Balaton
Beton.Hofi
Co Lee
Hundred Sins 

Best India Act
Dee MC
DIVINE
Mali
Tsymyoki
When Chai Met Toast 

Best Italian Act
Annalisa
Elodie
Lazza
Måneskin
The Kolors 

Best Israeli Act
Anna Zak
Liad Meir
Noa Kirel
Nunu
Shira Margalit 

Best Lat Am Central Act
Blessd
Feid
Manuel Turizo
Ryan Castro
Sebastian Yatra

Best Lat Am North Act
Danna Paola
Kenia Os
Kevin Kaarl
Siddhartha
Natanael Cano 

Best Lat Am South Act
Bizarrap
Duki
Fito Paez
Lali
Nicki Nicole 

Best New Zealand Act
BENEE
JessB
Jolyon Petch
L.A.B.
SIX60 

Best Nordic Act
Alessandra
Käärijä
Loreen
Swedish House Mafia
Zara Larsson

Best Polish Act
Doda
Kasia Nosowska
Mrozu
Sanah
Vito Bambino

Best Portuguese Act
Bárbara Bandeira
Bispo
Carolina Deslandes
Marisa Liz
PIRUKA 

Best Spanish Act
Abraham Mateo
Álvaro de Luna
Lola Índigo
Quevedo
Samantha Hudson

Best Swiss Act
Danitsa
Gjon’s Tears
KT Gorique
Monet192
Stress 

Best UK & Ireland Act
Calvin Harris
Central Cee
PinkPantheress
Raye
Sam Smith
Tom Grennan 

Best US Act
Doja Cat
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
Taylor Swift

Gael Garcia Bernal to Preside Over Jury at Rome Film Festival

Gael Garcia Bernal is taking a special lead role in Italy…

The 44-year-old Mexican actor and producer will preside over the jury of the upcoming Rome Film Festival.

Gael García BernalGarcia Bernal, who currently stars in the Amazon Prime film Cassandro, will be judging entries and bestowing prizes in the rebooted fest’s main section, which is now known as Progressive Cinema.

Films competing for Rome prizes include Spanish director Isabel Coixet’s Un Amor, about a young woman socially and sexually exploited by a rural patriarchy; Iranian director Farhad Delaram’s Achilles, in which a former filmmaker turned medic decides to help a female political prisoner escape from a psych ward; and French director Mehdi Fikri’s After The Fire, which turns on a French woman of North African descent who seeks justice after her younger brother dies suspiciously after being stopped by the police.

The Eternal City event’s upcoming 18th edition – which will run October 18-29 – will be the second since the appointment of RAI Cinema executive Paola Malanga as the fest’s artistic director and Gian Luca Farinelli, who heads the Bologna film archives, as president.

They have reshaped the Rome fest – which over the years has had it’s ups and downs – as a competitive event that has at its core a mix of mostly auteur titles, many with political themes, plus a panoply of more crowd pleasing films of different types screening out-of-competition.

Ice Spice Among Honorees at Party Celebrating Variety’s 2023 New Power of New York Impact List

Ice Spice will be making a special appearance in New York City…

Variety has announced it will host its annual New York Party on Thursday, October 5, celebrating the 23-year-old half-Dominican American rapper/singer, this year’s cover star honoree,  along with the individuals profiled in Variety’s 2023 New Power of New York Impact List.

Ice SpiceThe New Power of New York Impact List recognizes 50 creatives, executives and entrepreneurs who are making waves in the New York entertainment scene. From film and television to music and theatre, these artists and visionaries personify the spirit of the ever-evolving city and show us what New York offers to the global industry.

The party will celebrate Ice Spice’s meteoric rise over the past year as one of the most exciting rappers in music.

Her recent collaboration with Nicki MinajPrincess Diana” made history, marking the first time that a track co-billed by two women topped the Hot Rap Songs chart, since it launched 34 years ago.

Her second collaboration with Minaj, “Barbie World,” hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and soundtracked the closing credits of Barbie, the summer’s biggest blockbuster, starring Margot Robbie.

“Variety’s annual New York issue is a love letter to the Big Apple and the creativity that it inspires – this year we are thrilled to profile Bronx-born Ice Spice on the cover of our issue,” said Variety’s Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh. “Our story by Steven Horowitz is not to be missed, as it explores Ice Spice’s meteoric rise in music, friendship with Taylor Swift and recent collaborations with Nicki Minaj.”

Sebastián Yatra to Take Part in Star-on-Star Interview with Lasso During Billboard Latin Music Week

Sebastián Yatra is preparing for a special star moment…

The 28-year-old Colombian hitmaker will take part in a star-on-star interview at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week.

Sebastián Yatra Yatra, who has been pushing the boundaries of Latin pop, will be interviewed by by Lasso. The live Q&A will take place on Tuesday, October 3 at the Faena Forum Main Stage at 11:45 am ET.

In his upcoming interview with the Venezuelan singer/songwriter, the two South American artists will discuss Yatra’s creative process, his foray into the film industry, and how a multi-hyphenate artist manages success in a highly demanding Latin pop world. Topics will range from what inspires him and sparks curiosity, planning vs. flowing, mental health, tennis, and the power of one’s voice. The “Tacones Rojos” singer will also reveal what’s next for him.

Yatra continues his skyward ascent this year. Amid releasing a string of viral singles like “Vagabundo” with Manuel Turizo and Beéle and his latest solo hit “Energía Bacana,” Yatra was selected as the official musical opener for the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament.

He also received 2023 RIAA Honors for “driving the rise across American music, culture and society,” alongside global icon Gloria Estefan.

Currently, the Medellín artist is in the running for two 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards: Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo and Latin Pop Song of the Year for “Una Noche Sin Pensar.” Last year, Yatra achieved a No. 36 slot on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 for “Dos Oruguitas” from Disney’s Encanto and has positioned himself multiple times on Billboard’s Global charts.

In 2022, the moderator and Yatra collaborated on the pop-rock ballad “Ojos Marrones.” Lasso’s “Ojos Marrones” is nominated for three Latin Grammys: record of the year, song of the year, and best pop/rock song. The song also became the Venezuelan artist’s first entry into the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US charts.

Eva Longoria to Deliver Keynote Address at Mipcom Cannes Next Month

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.

Eva LongoriaAlongside 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.

Wisin to Pull Double Duty at This Year’s Latin Music Week

Wisin is prepping for a Latin music celebration…

The 44-year-old  Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper, singer and record producer and La Base, the record label he launched in 2020, are confirmed for the 2023 Latin Music Week and Billboard En Vivo concert series, returning to Miami from October 2 to 6.

WisinThe Billboard En Vivo with La Base and Wisin” event, held at Oasis Wynwood, will feature special guests Luny Tunes and DJ Nelson spinning the biggest reggaeton hits of yesterday and today. Also marking the first-ever La Base party out of Puerto Rico, the 21-and-over free event will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

Additionally, reggaeton icon Wisin will be joined by legendary hitmakers Luny, Tunes, DJ Nelson and Hybe for a once-in-a-lifetime conversation where they will share their views on identifying and creating hits. Titled “Wisin & La Base: Eye of the Tiger,” the panel presented by Smirnoff will be tied to Wisin’s visionary label and music company La Base.

In other Latin Music Week news, Billboard will reveal the final talent additions and full event schedule during a press conference held September 20 at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, where Leila Cobo, chief content officer of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español, will be joined by mayor Dan Gelber, Valentina Bueno (director of Karol G’s Con Cora Foundation), as well as artists Fonseca, Mike Bahía and Venesti.

Celebrated for more than 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, and coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, October 5, from the Watsco Center in Miami.