Colman Domingo to Receive London Critics’ Circle’s Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is the critics’ choice for a special recognition…

The 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist will receive the first-ever Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation from the United Kingdom’s leading film critics.

The award is named after the legendary critic and film historian who died in August at the age of 91. Named in his honor, the award will be part of the 44^th London Critics’ Circle Awards that take place on February 4, 2024.

Domingo is being recognized for his work as an actor, producer, writer, and director in a career that spans film, television and theater.

He won an Emmy for his role in Euphoria and received a Tony nomination as a producer of Fat Ham, a retelling of Hamlet. In film, his recent credits include The Color Purple and Rustin and other work includes appearances in Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, Lee Daniels’ The Butler and Ava DuVernay’s Selma.

“It’s an honor to receive the inaugural Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation and to be recognized in this way by the London Film Critics’ Circle, a group of journalists I deeply respect,” Domingo said. “This has been an incredible year for film, and having the opportunity to play Bayard Rustin, a man who embodied the word ‘trailblazer’, has been a great privilege.”

Malcolm was a long-standing member of the Critics’ Circle, serving a term as its president. He was variously chief critic for British newspapers The Guardian and The Evening Standard and hosted The Film Club on the BBC, as well as publishing several books. He was also a former director of London Film Festival and governor of the British Film Institute.

Jharrel Jerome to Star as Anthony Robles in “Unstoppable”

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jharrel Jerome is unstoppable…

The 25-year-old Afro-Dominican American actor, an Emmy winner and EP/star of the upcoming Prime Video series I’m a Virgo that just premiered at SXSW, has signed on to star in Unstoppable, the film starring Jennifer Lopez and directed by Billy Goldenberg.

The film follows the true story of Anthony Robles, a three-time All-American wrestler born with one leg who won a national championship at Arizona State.

Robles will reportedly be heavily involved in the project, which Amazon Studios is in talks to acquire.

The second big project from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity and Amazon is coming together rather quickly before the April 5 opening of their first movie, Air, which is getting a theatrical release and debuted at SXSW on Saturday. Artists Equity is co-founded by RedBird Capital.

Robles was born without a right leg. At the age of 14, he tried wrestling for the first time, at a mere 90 pounds. His first year he went 5-8, but remained determined that he could be a champion in the sport one day. Robles is also an inspirational speaker.

In 2019 he broke the Guinness world record for most pull-ups in a minute with 62 reps.

Jerome won an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series for the Ava DuVernay Netflix series When They See Us. His other credits include the film Concrete Cowboy and the Stephen King series Mr. Mercedes. He’ll soon be seen co-starring in HBO Max’s Steven Soderbergh series Full Circle.

Jerome is an EP on the Boots Riley Amazon series I’m a Virgo. The darkly comedic, fantastical coming-of-age joyride center son Cootie (Jerome), a 13-foot-tall young Black man in Oakland, CA. Having grown up hidden away, passing time on a diet of comic books and TV shows, he escapes to experience the beauty and contradictions of the real world. He forms friendships, finds love, navigates awkward situations, and encounters his idol, a real-life superhero named The Hero, played by Walton Goggins. I’m A Virgo is a mythical odyssey that questions the purpose of the mythical odyssey.

Tenoch Huerta Earns NAACP Image Award for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Performance

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Tenoch Huerta is an Image Award winner…

This year’s NAACP Image Awards winners have been announced, with the 42-year-old Mexican actor picking up a prize.

Huerta, who recently earned two Critics Choice Super Awards nominations, was named Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which took the award for Outstanding Motion Picture.

Ivan Herrera’s drama Bantú Mama, acquired for distribution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand by Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing, picked up an award.

The 45-year-old Dominican filmmaker’s drama was named Outstanding International Motion Picture.

Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, picked up the Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special award alongside Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams for Entergalactic.

Bruno Mars picked up the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) award for his Silk Sonic track “Love’s Train.”

The weeklong event honors the achievements and performances of people of color in more than 80 categories.

Here’s a look at this year’s NAACP Image Awards winners:

Entertainer of the Year Angela Bassett
Outstanding Motion Picture Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Viola Davis – The Woman King
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Will Smith – Emancipation
Outstanding Comedy Series Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Angela Bassett – 9-1-1
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nicco Annan – P-Valley
Jackie Robinson Sports Award Serena Williams
Chairman’s Award Congressman Bennie G. Thompson
Social Justice Impact Award Benjamin Crump
President’s Award Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Power Book II: Ghost
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Loretta Devine – P-Valley
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special Morris Chestnut – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special Niecy Nash-Betts – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Outstanding Talk Series Sherri
Outstanding New Artist Coco Jones – ICU
Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal Legacy – Adam Blackstone
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Tenoch Huerta – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture The Inspection
Outstanding International Motion Picture Bantú Mama
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture Jalyn Hall – TILL
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture Wendell & Wild
Outstanding Documentary (Film) CIVIL
Outstanding Documentary (Television) Everything’s Gonna be All White
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Woman King
Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast Two Funny Mamas
Outstanding Social Media Personality Kevon Stage
Outstanding Podcast – News and Information Beyond the Scenes, The Daily Show
Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture LeVar Burton Reads
Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle / Self-Help Therapy for Black Girls
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Brittani Nichols, Abbott Elementary – “Student Transfer”
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series Marissa Jo Cerar, Women of the Movement – Episode 101
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special, Scott Mescudi (Story By), Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams, Entergalactic
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series Angela Barnes, Atlanta – “The Homeliest Little Horse”
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul – Season 6, Episode 6: “Axe and Grind”
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special Anton Cropper, Fantasy Football
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary Reginald Hudlin, Sidney
Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film) Camille Friend, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film) Debi Young, Sandra Linn, Ngozi Olandu Young, Gina Bateman, We Own This City
Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film) Ruth Carter, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama “Between The Scenes,” The Daily Show
Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction Daring Simone Biles
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action) Dear Mama…
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated) More Than I Want To Remember
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture Keke Palmer,
Lightyear
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television) Kyla Pratt, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–series) Ja’Siah Young, Raising Dion
Outstanding Children’s Program Tab Time
Outstanding Animated Series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Outstanding Guest Performance Glynn Turman, Queen Sugar
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) Ericka Nicole Malone, Remember Me The Mahalia Jackson Story
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television) Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special Nia Long, The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special Keith David, From Scratch
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, Take My Hand, Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction Finding Me, Viola Davis
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen, George McCalman
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography Scenes from My Life, Michael K. Williams, Jon Sternfeld
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration, Tracey Lewis-Giggetts
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry To the Realization of Perfect Helplessness, Robin Coste Lewis
Outstanding Literary Work – Children Stacey’s Remarkable Books, Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens Cookies & Milk, Shawn Amos
Outstanding Variety or Game Show (Series or Special) The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble Tabitha Brown, Tab Time
Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special) ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts
Outstanding International Song “No Woman No Cry” – Tems
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental “JID014 (Jazz is Dead)” – Henry Franklin, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song “Positive” – Erica Campbell
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album “Kingdom Book One” – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) Silk Sonic – “Love’s Train”
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) Chris Brown feat. Wizkid – “Call Me Every Day”
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album “Lift Me Up” – Rihanna
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan
Outstanding Male Artist Chris Brown – “BREEZY” (Deluxe)
Outstanding Female Artist Beyoncé – “Renaissance”
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song Cuff It – “Beyoncé”
Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song “Hotel Lobby” – Quavo, Takeoff
Outstanding Album “Renaissance” – Beyoncé

Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing Acquires Ivan Herrera’s Drama “Bantú Mama” Across Several Markets

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ivan Herrera’s latest project is going international…

Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing has acquired the 45-year-old Dominican filmmaker’s drama Bantú Mama for distribution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The company will be presenting the film — which has been named as the Dominican Republic’s 2023 entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar — on select screens and on Netflix beginning on November 17.

Bantú Mama follows a French woman of African descent who manages to escape after being arrested in the Dominican Republic. She finds shelter in the most dangerous district of Santo Domingo, where she is taken in by a group of children. By becoming their protégée and maternal figure, she then experiences an unimaginable change in her destiny.

“We are honored to distribute the Dominican Republic’s official Oscar submission,” said Array President Tilane Jones. “This deeply moving and vividly drawn drama, beautifully directed by Ivan Herrera and co-written with producer Clarisse Albrecht, is a bold vision that we’re thrilled to share with audiences.”

The film had its world premiere at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, before going on to screen at fests including BFI London Film Festival and Urbanworld.

Herrera, Albrecht, Franmiris Lombert & Nicolas LaMadrid produced the film, which has picked up awards from the Durban Film Festival, Latino and Iberian Film Festival at Yale, 47/Festival de Huelva, Festival de Cine Fine Arts, Nova Frontier Film Festival and Quibdó África Film Festival.

José Andrés to be Honored During National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait of a Nation Awards

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

José Andrés is being honored for his transformative contributions…

The 53-year-old Spanish chef, philanthropist and activist will be honored at the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait of a Nation Awards on November 12.

Andres will be honored alongside Clive Davis, Ava DuVernay, Marian Wright Edelman, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

The event, which launched in 2015, “honor[s] extraordinary individuals who have made transformative contributions to the United States and its people across all fields of endeavor from the arts and sciences,” according to the Smithsonian gallery.

Andres is the founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. It has provided aid and meals in the United States and Puerto Rico and has helped during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

He is often credited with bringing the small plates dining concept to America.

An exhibition featuring portraits of the honorees will open at the museum on November 10.

Baratunde Thurston will host the event, with Laurene Powell Jobs presenting to Andres; Alicia Keys to Davis; Isabel Wilkerson to DuVernay; Hillary Clinton to Edelman; David M. Rubenstein to Fauci; Mellody Hobson to Serena Williams and Sonya Haffey and Isha Price to Venus Williams.

Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Galley, said in a statement, “It is important to honor and celebrate the people who are making a difference and inspiring others. The presenters, each of whom have a special relationship with the honorees, help us to offer meaningful thanks to this year’s awardees for their significant contributions to our nation.”

HBO Max Releases Trailer for DC Limited Series “DMZ,” Starring Rosario Dawson

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson is fightin’ for survival…

HBO Max has released a first look clip for limited series DMZ, starring the 42-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress and activist.

The series “leaps off the pages of the DC acclaimed graphic novel into the visual landscape of a dangerous and distorted Manhattan as one woman navigates a demilitarized zone in a harrowing quest to find her lost son,” according to the series’ logline.

The trailer teases an overgrown Manhattan, tensions among survivors, and highlights all that Dawson’s character is willing to do to bring her son back into her arms.

DMZ also stars Benjamin Bratt, Hoon Lee, Freddy Miyares, Jordan Preston Carter, Venus Ariel.

Also cast in the series are Rutina Wesley, Nora Dunn, Jade Wu, Rey Gallegos, Mamie Gummer, Agam Darshi, Juani Feliz and Henry G. Sanders.

DMZ hails from creator Roberto Patino, who executive produces with Ava DuVernay and ARRAY Filmworks’ Paul Garnes.

The limited series is based on the comic book series published by DC written by Brian Wood and illustrated by Riccardo Burchielli. Patino serves as showrunner and wrote the first episode, which was directed by DuVernay.

Ernest Dickerson directs and executive produces three episodes.

DMZ is produced by DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Rey Gallegos Joins Cast of Rosario Dawson’s Limited DC Comic-Based Series “DMZ”

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Rey Gallegos is in the Zone… the demilitarized zone.

The Mexican actor will star in HBO Max’s DMZ, a limited series based on the DC comic series from Ava DuVernay, Roberto Patino and Warner Bros. Television.

Gallegos joins a cast that includes Rutina Wesley, Mamie Gummer, Nora Dunn and Henry G. Sanders.

Also joining stars Rosario Dawson and Benjamin Bratt are Venus Ariel, Jade Wu, Agam Darshi and Juani Feliz.

Joining the creative team are filmmaker Ernest Dickerson and Emmy winner Carly Wray.

Dickerson will direct and executive produce three episodes of the four-part series. DuVernay directed the first episode and executive produces the series.

DMZ is set in the near future, when America is embroiled in a bitter civil war, leaving Manhattan a demilitarized zone (DMZ), destroyed and isolated from the rest of the world. It chronicles the harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega (Dawson) to find the son she lost in the evacuation of New York City at the onset of the conflict. Throwing gasoline on the flames of that conflict is Parco Delgado (Bratt), the popular, and deadly, leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule this new world and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome.

The drama will examine the stark political and cultural divide in American society, where Alma must contend with the gangs, militias, demagogues and warlords that control this lawless no man’s land. In doing so, she becomes the unlikely source of what everyone there has lost…hope.

Ariel will play the series regular role of Nico, a foul-mouthed scavenger with a hankering for mischief.

Gallegos will play Cesar, a ruthless and devoted consigliere who’ll stop at nothing to secure his gang’s authority in the DMZ.

Feliz will play Carmen, the fearless and fiery partner to the biggest bad in the DMZ, and a critical source of power and community in her native Spanish Harlem.

They join previously announced cast members Hoon Lee, Jordan Preston Carter and Freddy Miyares.

DMZ is produced by DuVernay’s Array Filmworks in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Gallegos previous credits include Gang Related, American Sniper and Spider-Man 3.

Carmen Marrón to Direct Episode of Ava DuVernay’s Drama “Queen Sugar”

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a sweet opportunity for Carmen Marrón…

The Mexican-American writer/director will helm an episode of Ava DuVernay’s drama Queen Sugar for Season 6.

Marrón joins a list of series helmers that includes, Lisa France, Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, Cierra Glaude, Keisha Rae Witherspoon, Marie Jamora, Shari L. Carpenter, Shaz Bennett and Stephanie Turner.

Queen Sugar, currently in production in New Orleans, is set to premiere later in the fall.

The addition of the nine directors continues DuVernay’s commitment to hiring an entirely woman-led directing team for the show. The latest addition brings the series’ total women director count to 42 filmmakers, 39 of whom are first-time television directors.

Set in rural Louisiana and the fictional community of St. Josephine, Queen Sugar focuses on the trio of Bordelon siblings, played by Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Rutina Wesley and Kofi Siriboe, and their extended family.

Also joining as a recurring character is Marquis Rodriguez.

He will play Isaiah, a college student wise beyond his years who befriends Micah West.

Queen Sugar, created by DuVernay, airs Tuesday nights on OWN.

Camila Moreno to Star in Ava DuVernay’s Superhero DC Drama Pilot “Naomi”

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Moreno has landed a super role…

The Latina actress and Hollywood newcomer has been cast in Ava DuVernay’s superhero DC drama Naomi.

Moreno joins a cast that includes Kaci Walfall as Naomi, Alexander Wraith, Cranston Johnson, Barry Watson, Mouzam Makkar, Mary-Charles Jones, Aidan Gemme, Daniel Puig and Will Meyers.

Based on the eponymous comic book series that debuted in 2019, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker and illustrated by breakout artist Jamal Campbell, the show follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about our heroes.

Amanda Marsalis will direct and co-executive produce the pilot, from DuVernay’s Array Filmworks and Warner Bros. Television.

Naomi, the network’s latest DC adaptation, comes from DuVernay and Arrow writer and co-executive producer Jill Blankenship.

HBO Max Gives Series Order to Rosario Dawson’s Futuristic Drama “DMZ”

Posted on November 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson is heading to the demilitarized zone…

HBO Max has given a series order to Ava DuVernay and Roberto Patino’s DMZ, starring the 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress and activist.

HBO Max ordered four episodes of the limited series, a futuristic drama set amid a second American civil war and based on the DC Comics series.

Production on the series is scheduled to start in 2021.

DMZ stars Dawson and Benjamin Bratt in the lead roles, alongside Hoon Lee, Freddy Miyares and Jordan Preston Carter.

DMZ is set in the near future, when America is embroiled in a bitter civil war, leaving Manhattan a demilitarized zone (DMZ), destroyed and isolated from the rest of the world. It chronicles the harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega (Dawson) to find the son she lost in the evacuation of New York City at the onset of the conflict. Throwing gasoline on the flames of that conflict is Parco Delgado (Bratt), the popular, and deadly, leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule this new world and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome.

Patino, who will write all episodes and showrun the series, wrote the pilot episode, which was directed by DuVernay. Patino and DuVernay serve as executive producers on the series.

DMZ is produced by DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks in association with Warner Bros. Television.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this epic to the screen with my boundary-pushing partners at WBTV and HBO Max, a sublime cast led by Rosario and Benjamin, and my partner and friend, the inimitable and ever-inspiring Ava DuVernay,” said Patino. “DMZ offers up an explosive playground which, more than anything else, exalts the resilience of community and the human spirit. I can’t wait to welcome the die-hard fans of the comic books and new viewers alike to this intoxicating, haunting and inspiring world.”

Dawson’s television credits include The Mandalorian, Briarpatch and Jane the Virgin. She’ll soon appear in the upcoming miniseries Dopesick.

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