The future looks like bright for Diego Luna’s biopic on Cesar Chavez…
The 34-year-old Mexican actor-turned-director’s film Chavez about the life of the life of Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist earned an audience award at the South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival.
Chavez, which stars Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson and John Malkovich, took home the audience prize in the Narrative Spotlight category.
The film premiered in the Berlinale Special Galas section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival last month.
Here’s a look at the SXSW Film Festival Audience Award winners:
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION Audience Award Winner: Before I Disappear Director: Shawn Christensen
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION Audience Award Winner: Vessel Director: Diana Whitten
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT Audience Award Winner: DamNation Director: Ben Knight & Travis Rummel
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT Audience Award Winner: CESAR CHAVEZ Directors: Diego Luna
VISIONS Audience Award Winner: Yakona Director: Anlo Sepulveda & Paul Collins
MIDNIGHTERS Audience Award Winner: Exists Director: Eduardo Sánchez
EPISODIC Audience Award Winner: Silicon Valley Director: Mike Judge
SXGLOBAL Audience Award Winner: The Special Need Directors: Carlo Zoratti
FESTIVAL FAVORITES Audience Award Winner: The Case Against 8 Director: Ben Cotner & Ryan White
SXSW Film Design Awards EXCELLENCE IN POSTER DESIGN
Audience Award Winner: Big Significant Things Designer: Corey Holms
EXCELLENCE IN TITLE DESIGN Audience Award Winner: True Detective Designer: Patrick Clair for Elastic