Eva Longoria to Direct Film Adaptation of Xochitl Gonzalez’s Novel “Anita de Monte Laughs Last”

Eva Longoria is laughin’ last

The 50-year-old Mexican American actress, director and producer will re-team with Searchlight Pictures to helm author Xochitl Gonzalez’s film adaptation of her novel Anita de Monte Laughs Last.

Eva LongoriaLongoria also will produce the film through Hyphenate Media Group, her production company with Cris Abrego, along with Jada Miranda.

The New York Times bestseller tells the story of a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death. Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite.

The book was on Reese’s Book Club Pick and listed as Best Book of 2024 by Kirkus, Time, NPR, Goodreads, Electric Lit and more.

Longoria and Searchlight last teamed on the 2023 feature Flamin’ Hot, which served as the multi-

hyphenate’s feature directorial debut. Based on the novel A Boy, a Burrito and a Cookie: From Janitor to Executive by Richard Montañez, the feature stars Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez and Tony Shalhoub. The dramedy received written by Yvette Chávez and Lewis Colick earned multiple awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

SVP Production’s Taylor Friedman and creative executive Daniel Yu will be overseeing Anita de Monte Laughs Last for Searchlight Pictures, reporting to co-heads of production and development DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas.

Gonzalez published her debut novel Olga Dies Dreaming in 2022, which became a New York Times bestseller and was ordered to pilot by Hulu, which Gonzalez adapted.

She is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for her work there

Longoria’s recent work also includes Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain, an eight-part CNN Original series chronicling her immersive gastronomic journey across Spain, following the success of her previous Searching for Mexico.

It was also recently announced that Longoria will expand the “Searching For” franchise with Searching for France, which is in production.

Through her Hyphenate Media Group, Longoria champions creator-led stories for global audiences.

She has a history of directing over the last decade, with past credits including the boxing documentary La Guerra Civil for DAZN.

Up next, she will also direct the Paula Pell-penned Netflix comedy The Fifth Wheel with Gloria Sanchez producing.

Bobby Soto Signs with Innovative Artists Entertainment

Bobby Soto has new representation…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actor has signed with Innovative Artists Entertainment for talent, lit, comedy and crossover representation.

Bobby SotoSoto most recently appeared in the Amazon feature film, A Million Miles Away, starring opposite Michael Peña and Rosa Salazar.

From director Alejandra Marquez Abella, the bio-drama tells the real-life story of José M. Hernández, a Mexican American astronaut who was formerly a migrant farm worker.

The project is available to stream via Prime Video.

Before that, Soto starred in the Disney/Searchlight feature film, Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria.

As part of the ensemble cast, Soto traveled to Washington, D.C., for a special screening of Flamin’ Hot for the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, both of whom hosted the celebration.

On the television front, Soto recently appeared in CBS’ FBI: International, and Seasons 1 and 2 of the Netflix hit crime drama, Narcos: Mexico, created and developed by Jose Padilha and Eric Newman.

His additional film credits include The Listener with Tessa Thompson and director Steve Buscemi, and Scott Teems’ The Quarry, opposite Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham.

Soto played the lead of David Ayer’s film The Tax Collector opposite Shia LaBeouf, which takes Ayer back to his film roots of End of Watch and Training Day.

Becky G Performs Oscar-Nominated “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot” During Oscars

Becky G brings the fire to the 2024 Oscars

The 27-year-old Mexican American rapper/singer performed “The Fire Inside,” the Academy Award nominated track from the Eva Longoria-directed film Flamin’ Hot, at Sunday’s Oscars.

Becky GDiane Warren penned the inspirational track for the film about Richard Montañez, the Frito-Lay janitor who became an executive after inventing Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Ahead of the ceremony at the Dolby Theater, Longoria talked about the excitement her directorial debut getting some recognition at the Academy Awards.

“I have goosebumps. I can’t believe it. I can because Diane Warren wrote the song, so she’s a genius and Becky G is a genius,” Longoria told Laverne Cox on Live from E! red carpet coverage. “Their performance tonight… You will never be more proud to be a Latino and a Chicano, but Becky’s thought and love that she put into this performance tonight is going to blow everybody away. She has some special guest from Inglewood.”

She continued, “We don’t ever get this platform. We, people of color, we don’t really get this stage. We wanted to bring our whole community with us tonight. We wanted to thank everybody for watching the movie [and] making it a success.”

Flamin’ Hot starred Jesse García as Richard Montañez and the cast included Annie González, Emilio Rivera, Vanessa Martínez, Hunter Jones, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Matt Walsh and Brice Gonzalez.

Bad Bunny to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards

Bad Bunny has a date with Oscar…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has been added to the list of presenters for this year’s Academy Awards show.

Bad BunnyBut the “Monaco” singer is not the only Puerto Rican artist set to take the stage.

West Side Story star Rita Moreno, an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony Award) winner, will also serve as a presenter.

Bad Bunny and Moreno are among the list of recently added presenters for the March 10th Oscars telecast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Keaton, Regina King, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate McKinnon, John Mulaney, Catherine O’Hara, Octavia Spencer and Ramy Youssef.

Moreno won an Oscar in 1962 for West Side Story. In 1977, she became the first Latina (and just the third person overall) to complete the EGOT.

In 2022, Bad Bunny made history when Un Verano Sin Ti became the first Spanish-language album to top Billboard’s year-end chart and to receive a Grammy nod for album of the year. His acting credits include Bullet Train, Narcos: Mexico and Cassandro,

Earlier this week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced that another popular Latin star, Becky G, would perform the nominated “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot on the telecast.

Previously announced Oscars presenters are Mahershala Ali, Nicolas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyong’o, Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ke Huy Quan, Sam Rockwell, Michelle Yeoh and Zendaya.

The 96th Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast to outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 10, at the new, earlier time of 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT.

Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the show for the fourth time. It will be held at its usual home, the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Raj Kapoor is executive producer and showrunner for the 2024 Oscars. Molly McNearney and Katy Mullan are also executive producers. Hamish Hamilton is directing. Rickey Minor is music director.

Becky G to Perform Oscar-Nominated “The Fire Inside” at This Year’s Academy Awards

Becky G has a date with Oscar…

The 26-year-old Mexican American singer, rapper and actress will perform at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.

Becky GBecky G will perform “The Fire Inside,” a single with music and lyrics by Diane Warren for the film Flamin’ Hot.

The track is one of this year’s Best Song nominees.

Becky G is among a roster of Oscar performers that includes Jon Batiste, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, Scott George and the Osage Singers, and Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson.

They’ll take the stage to perform the trophy hopefuls during the 96th Oscars hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on March 10.

The announcement was made by Oscars executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor and EPs Molly McNearney and Katy Mullan.

ABC will air the show live coast-to-coast starting at the new time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Here’s the list of the Best Song nominees, songwriters and Oscarcast performers:

“The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot” – Performed by Becky G
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

“I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie” – Performed by Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson
Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt

“It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony” – Performed by Jon Batiste
Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson

“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon” – Performed by Scott George and the Osage Singers
Music and Lyric by Scott George

“What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie” – Performed by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

America Ferrara to Receive Groundbreaker Award at Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements

America Ferrara is receiving a special Critics Choice honor…

The 39-year-old Honduran American Golden Globe– and Emmy-winning actress is among the honorees for the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements.

America FerreraHosted by Nicco Annan, the event is slated for December 4 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.

Unlike last year, when the CCA held separate ceremonies for Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements, this year, because of the strikes, the CCA is presenting a one-time-only combination show, featuring more than 20 honorees who created some of this year’s most acclaimed films and television shows.

“For the last few years, the CCA has hosted individual Celebrations of Black, Latino and AAPI Cinema & Television. CCA will return to individual shows in 2024, but doing this special celebration allows us to continue the CCA’s tradition of supporting inclusion and creativity in our industry,” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “I am extremely proud to recognize this diverse group of honorees together on this one special night.”

This year’s honorees include:

Emmy Award-winning actor and producer Edward James Olmos who will receive the Icon Award for his incredible career including Zoot Suit, Selena, Stand and Deliver, Blade Runner, Miami Vice and most recently FX’s Mayans M.C.

Emmy Award-winning actress, producer and advocate Sheryl Lee Ralph will receive the Career Achievement Award for her extensive work in film & television with over 100 credits including ABC’s Abbott Elementary as well as Instant Mom, Ray DonovanMoesha, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Mistress, The Distinguished Gentlemen and To Sleep with Anger.

The Comedy Trailblazer Award will be bestowed upon comedian and actor Ken Jeong, whose notable credits include The Masked SingerThe AfterpartyCommunityCrazy Rich Asians, I Can See Your Voice and The Hangover franchise.

Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright will be honored with the Visionary Award for his performance in Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios’ American Fiction.

Emmy- and SAG Award-winning actress America Ferrara will accept the Groundbreaker Award for her performances in Warner Bros.’ Barbie and Sony Pictures/Black Bear Pictures’ Dumb Money.

Oscar-nominated Charles D. King will receive the Producer Award for his most recent work on Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone.

Award-winning director, producer, actress and advocate Eva Longoria will be recognized with the Breakthrough Director Award (Film) for her feature directorial debut, Searchlight Pictures’ Flamin’ Hot.

Greta Lee will receive the Actress Award (Film) for her performance in A24’s film Past Lives, while Colman Domingo will be recognized with the Actor Award (Film) for his performance in Netflix’s Rustin.

The Ensemble Award will be awarded to Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Fantasia Barrino, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Domingo and Corey Hawkins for their performances in Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple.

Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph will be honored with the Supporting Actress Award (Film) for her performance in Focus Features’ The Holdovers.

Emmy-nominated narrative filmmaker and documentarian Allen Hughes will be celebrated with the Documentary Series Award for his work directing FX’s Dear Mama.

Oscar-nominated filmmaker and playwright Kemp Powers will be honored with the Animation Award for his directorial work on Sony Pictures’ film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Animator and filmmaker Makoto Shinkai will accept the International Animation Award for Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures’ film Suzume.

Actor and producer Damson Idris will receive the Actor Award (TV) for his performance in FX’s Snowfall.

Current Emmy-nominated actress and comedian Jessica Williams will be recognized with the Supporting Actress Award (TV) for her performance in Apple TV+’s Shrinking.

Actor Oscar Montoya will be honored with the Supporting Actor Award (TV) for his performance in Starz’s Minx.

Breakthrough Performance Awards will be bestowed upon Teyana Taylor for her performance in Focus Features’ A Thousand and One, Emmy-nominee Camila Morrone for her performance in Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & The Six, and Charles Melton for his performance in Netflix’s May December.

Current multiple Emmy-nominated director and writer Lee Sung Jin will be honored with the Breakthrough Director Award (TV) for his work on Netflix’s series Beef.

Receiving the Rising Star Awards will be Xolo Mariduena for his performance in Warner Bros.’ The Blue Beetle, and current Emmy nominee Keivonn Woodard for his performance in HBO’s The Last of Us.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Earns Three Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations for “The Little Mermaid” Music

Lin-Manuel Miranda is this year’s Hollywood Music in Media Awards darling. 

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican songwriter, actor, filmmaker and playwright has earned three HMMA award nominations in the film categories.

Lin-Manuel MirandaMiranda earned two nods in the Song – sci-fi / fantasy category for writing the lyrics for two tracks from The Little Mermaid: “For The First Time,” performed by Halle Bailey, and “Wild Uncharted Waters,” performed by Jonah Hauer-King.

In addition, Miranda is up for the Music themed film, biopic or musical award for being a producer on The Little Mermaid soundtrack. He’ll compete against Mimi Valdez, who is nominated for producing Carmen.

Gaby Moreno is nominated in the Song – independent film category for writing and performing the single “El Saber” for the film Radical.

Carla Morrison is nominated in the Song – documentary film category for co-writing and performing “Todo Fue Por Amor,” for the film With This Light.

In the Score – independent film (foreign language) category, Carla F. Benedicto is nominated for Last Wishes, while Arturo Cardelús is up for Los Reyes Magos: La Verdad. 

Ariana DeBose’s “This Wish” from Wish is up for Song – animated film, while Becky G’s “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot is up for Song – feature film.

The HMMAs are often seen as a bellwether for the Oscars. Past HMMA winners who’ve gone on to win Oscars include Billie Eilish and Finneas for No Time to Die; Hans Zimmer for Dune; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste for Soul; Hildur Guðnadóttir for Joker; Ludwig Göransson for Black Panther and Alexandre Desplat for The Shape of Water.

Unlike the Oscars, which have just one category each for songs and scores, the HMMAs have six categories for songs and seven for scores.

Not all of the nominated films have been released yet. The HMMAs allow films to compete if the composers “submit up to 15 minutes of score to picture as it appears in the visual media project.” The HMMAs note that “several films were only available to see in the context of the scenes provided.”

The HMMA presents awards for a wide range of visual media, including film, television series and video games.

The awards will be presented on Wednesday, November 15, at 8:00 pm PT at The Avalon in Hollywood, Calif.

Here are the nominees in the film categories. For a complete list of nominees in all categories, visit the HMMA site.

Score – feature film
American Fiction – Laura Karpman
Chevalier – Kris Bowers
Killers of the Flower Moon – Robbie Robertson
Nyad – Alexandre Desplat
Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson
Rustin – Branford Marsalis
Saltburn – Anthony Willis, Music By
The Killer – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross 

Score – animated film
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget – Harry Gregson-Williams
Elemental – Thomas Newman
Migration – John Powell
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken – Stephanie Economou
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Daniel Pemberton
The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Brian Tyler 

Score – sci-fi / fantasy film
Asteroid City – Alexandre Desplat
Barbie – Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
The Creator – Hans Zimmer
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – James Newton Howard
The Marvels – Laura Karpman
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Jongnic Bontemps

Score – horror/thriller film
A Haunting in Venice – Hildur Guđnadóttir
Deliver Us – Tóti Guðnason
Knock at the Cabin – Herdís Stefánsdóttir
M3gan – Anthony Willis
The Boogeyman – Patrick Jonsson
The Exorcist: Believer – David Wingo, Amman Abbasi

Score – documentary
Kangaroo Valley – H. Scott Salinas and Logan Stahley
Split at the Root – Lili Haydn
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie – John Powell
The Deepest Breath – Nainita Desai
The Pigeon Tunnel – Philip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan 

Score – independent film
Dalíland – Edmund Butt
Dream Scenario – Owen Pallett
Jules – Volker Bertelmann
Miranda’s Victim – Holly Amber Church
She Came to Me – Bryce Dessner
The Zone of Interest – Mica Levi 

Score – independent film (foreign language)
Society of the Snow – Michael Giacchino
Control – Taisuke Kimura
Last Wishes – Carla F. Benedicto
Los Reyes Magos: La Verdad – Arturo Cardelús
Paradice – Sandrine Rudaz
The Promised Land – Dan Romer

Song – feature film
“I’m Just Ken” from Barbie. Written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. Performed by Ryan Gosling (featuring Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen)
“What Was I Made For?” from Barbie. Written by Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell. Performed by Billie Eilish.
“The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot. Written by Diane Warren. Performed by Becky G.
“High Life” From Flora and Son. Written by Gary Clark, John Carney, Eve Hewson. Performed by Eve Hewson, Orén Kinlan, Jack Reynor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
“I Am” From Origin. Written by Stan Walker, Michael Fatkin, Vince Harder, Te Kanapu Anasta. Performed by Stan Walker.
“Road to Freedom” from Rustin. Written and performed by Lenny Kravitz.
“This” From The Beanie Bubble. Written by Damian Kulash, Jr. and Timothy Nordwind. Performed by OK Go.
“Keep It Movin’” from The Color Purple. Written by Halle Bailey, Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney, and Morten Ristorp. Performed by Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.

Song – animated film
“Steal the Show” from Elemental. Written by Ari Leff, Michael Matosic, Thomas Newman. Performed by Lauv.
“Down Like That” from Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Written by Bryson Tiller, Chantry Johnson, Michelle Zarlenga, and Charlie Heath. Performed by Bryson Tiller.
“Am I Dreaming” from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Written by Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson, Rakim Mayers, Roisee, Landon Wayne and Leland Wayne. Performed by A$AP Rocky, Metro Boomin and Roisee.
“Better Place” from Trolls Band Together. Written by Shellback, Justin Timberlake, Amy Allen. Performed by NSYNC.
“Peaches” from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Written by Jack Black, John Spiker, Eric Osmond, Michael Jelenic, Aaron Horvath. Performed by Jack Black.
“This Wish” from Wish. Written by Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, and JP Saxe. Performed by Ariana DeBose.

Song – sci-fi / fantasy
“A World of Your Own” from Wonka. Music written by Neil Hannon, Lyrics by Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, Paul King. Performed by Timothée Chalamet
“Can’t Catch Me Now” from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Written by Dan Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo. Performed by Olivia Rodrigo.
“For The First Time” from The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Halle Bailey
“Wild Uncharted Waters” from The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Jonah Hauer-King
“You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This” from Wonka. Written by Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, Paul King. Performed by Timothée Chalamet & Cast. 

Song – independent film
“Stardust” from A Good Person. Written by Cary Brothers & Scott Effman. Performed By Cary Brothers.
“I Got You” from Holiday Twist. Written by Michael Jay and Alan Demoss. Performed by Jake Miller
“Space and Time” from Master Gardener. Written by S.G. Goodman, Performed by Mereba
“Quiet Eyes” from Past Lives. Written by Sharon Van Etten and Zachary Dawes. Performed by Sharon Van Etten.
“El Saber” from Radical. Written and performed by Gaby Moreno.
“Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” from Sons 2 The Grave. Written by Sean Jones, Michael Shand, Miku Graham. Performed by Sean Jones.

Song – onscreen performance
Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Orén Kinlan, Jack Reynor – “High Life” from Flora and Son
Halle Bailey – “For the First Time” from The Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mapsi – “Keep It Movin’” from The Color Purple
Megan Thee Stallion – “Out Alpha The Alpha” from Dicks: The Musical
NSYNC – “Better Place” from Trolls Band Together
Oil Factory feat. Chlöe, Jekalyn Carr, Loren Lott – “Praise Nationals Finale” from Praise This
Ryan Gosling – “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie
Timothée Chalamet – “A World of Your Own” from Wonka 

Song – documentary film
“Everything Is Gonna Be Alright” from Bobi Wine: The People’s President. Written and performed by Bobi Wine
“Forty Foot Man” from Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming With Dave Letterman. Written and performed by Bono and The Edge.
“Speechless” from Louder Than Rock. Written by Israel Houghton and Adam Ranney. Performed by Caleb Quaye and Judith Hill.
“Dream Your Little Dream” from The Jewel Thief. Written by Dan Braun and Josh Braun. Performed by The Braun Brothers.
“Todo Fue Por Amor” from With This Light. Written by Carla Morrison, Carla Patricia Morrison Flores, Juan Alejandro Jimenez Perez, Mario Demian Jimenez Perez. Performed by Carla Morrison.

Music themed film, biopic or musical
Carmen – Produced by Rosemary Blight, Dimitri Rassam and Mimi Valdes. Directed by Benjamin Millepied.
The Little Mermaid – Produced by John Deluca, Rob Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marc Platt. Directed by Rob Marshall.
Theater Camp – Produced by Jessica Elbaum, Erik Feig, Will Ferrell and Noah Galvin. Directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman.
Trolls Band Together – Produced by Gina Shay. Directed by Walt Dohrn and Tim Heitz.
Wonka – Produced by Alexandra Derbyshire, David Heyman and Luke Kelly. Directed by Paul King.

Music documentary – special program
Dear Mama: “Panther Power” – Directed by Allen Hughes. Produced by Joshua Garcia, Loren Gomez, Quincy Jones III, Stef Smith.
Immediate Family – Directed by Denny Tedesco. Produced by Greg Richling, Jack Piatt, Jonathan Sheldon.
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop – Directed by Hannah Beachler, Dream Hampton, Raeshem Nijhon. Produced by Shawna Carroll, Syreeta Gates, Cherice Hunt, Janice James, Princess A. Hairston.
Little Richard: I Am Everything – Directed by Lisa Cortés. Produced by Robert Friedman, Lisa Cortés, Liz Yale Marsh, Caryn Capotosto.
San Francisco Sounds: A Place in Time – Directed by Alison Ellwood & Anoosh Tertzakian. Produced by Michael Wright, Jill Burkhart, Mark Pinkus, Charlie Cohen, Tom Mackay, Richard Story, Jeff Jampol, Aly Parker, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Stacey Offman, Richard Perello, Jeff Pollack, Frank Marshall, Alison Ellwood.
Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah – Directed by Patty Ivins Specht. Produced by Reese Witherspoon, Sara Rea, Wynonna Judd, Cactus Moser, Jason Owen, Bruce Gillmer, Margaret Comeaux, Leslie Fram, Patty Ivins Specht; Producer: Cassie Lambert Scalettar.

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.

Eva Longoria’s “Flamin’ Hot” to Get Special Screening at the White House

Eva Longoria is bringing the Flamin’ heat to the White House.

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress’ directorial debut film Flamin’ Hot, recently released on Hulu and Disney+, will get a special screening at the White House.

Eva LongoriaPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host the screening on the South Lawn of the White House, joined by Longoria, as well as the cast and crew of the film and Latino community leaders.

The film is based on the true story of a Frito-Lay janitor Richard Montañez (portrayed by Jesse Garcia) who tapped into his Mexican-American heritage to invent Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which became a cultural phenomenon.

Jesse Garcia, Flamin' HotAnnie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, Hunter Jones also star in the Searchlight Pictures film, which debuted on the streaming sites on June 9.

The White House hosted a screening last month of the Disney+ series American Born Chinese, and in February for Till. The screenings traditionally have been for projects that are tied to social issues, including diversity and equality.

Longoria has long been active in Democratic politics, having campaigned for Biden in 2020 and spoken at the last three Democratic National Conventions.

First Trailer Released for Jesse Garcia-Starrer “Flamin’ Hot,” Directed by Eva Longoria

Jesse Garcia is ready to spice up the streaming world…

The first trailer has been released for Flamin’ Hot starring the 40-year-old Mexican and Spanish American actor.

Jesse Garcia, Flamin' Hot “I know I don’t look it, but I got a Ph.D.,” Richard Montañez (Garcia) tells his new supervisor at the Frito-Lay plant. After a doubting “Hmm?” from the boss, he continues, “I’m poor, hungry and determined, sir.”

Replies the button-down manager, “OK, I can see you’re gonna be a weird one.”

Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, is a tale of a janitor who channeled his Mexican-American heritage and upbringing into an idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which disrupted the food industry and became a pop culture phenomenon.

As Montañez says in the trailer, “I’m the guy who helped bring the world the most popular snack it’s ever seen.”

Layoffs are hitting the PepsiCo snack-food giant because “Frito-Lay isn’t getting enough orders to keep the factory open,” the workers are told. But Montañez has the answer: “It’s a spicy chip. It’s gonna change everything.” Doubts converge among the higher-ups — “Why are we wasting time on this janitor’s crazy idea?” — but he starts to convincing.

Talking to roomful of execs, Montañez says, “If we knew there was a product out there for us, we’d say, ‘Take all our money, cabrones!” A mini-montage later, he admits, “I got a little ‘hood there at the end, but…”

Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, Hunter Jones also star in the Searchlight Pictures film, which will be the first film to hit both Disney+ and Hulu in its streaming debut, on June 9.