Rita Moreno to Be Honored at This Year’s Academy Museum Gala

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Rita Moreno is earning special icon honors…

The Academy Museum will host its fourth annual star-studded gala on October 19, with the 92-year-old Puerto Rican Emmy, Oscar, Tony Award and Grammy-winning (EGOT) actress, singer and dancer among this year’s honorees.

Moreno is among a roster of honorees that includes Paul Mescal and Quentin Tarantino.

The fundraising event will celebrate the museum’s third anniversary and help raise funds to support museum exhibitions, education initiatives and public programming.

Moreno the Icon Award, celebrating an artist whose career has had a significant global cultural impact.

She has performed on stage and screen in a career spanning over eight decades, including her Oscar-winning turn as Anita in West Side Story.

Moreno is one of the last remaining stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Mescal will receive the Vantage Award, honoring an emerging artist or scholar who is helping to contextualize and challenge dominant narratives around cinema; Tarantino the Luminary Award, given to an artist whose singular contributions have expanded the creative possibilities of cinema.

The gala is being co-chaired by Dr. Eric Esrailian, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nicole Kidman, Eva Longoria and Tyler Perry.

“The Academy Museum Gala celebrates the power, global impact, and indelible importance of cinema, and I am thrilled we can gather for a fourth year and honor these three amazing artists — Rita Moreno, Quentin Tarantino and Paul Mescal — whose groundbreaking achievements, filmmaking influence, and demonstrated versatility will continue to inspire generations of artists and filmmakers,” said incoming Academy Museum director and president Amy Homma said in a statement. “We are profoundly grateful to Rolex for their continued support of the museum and cinema worldwide, our co-chairs Dr. Eric Esrailian, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nicole Kidman, Eva Longoria, and Tyler Perry for hosting this special evening.”

The Academy Museum Gala has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most A-list events, at last year‘s ceremony toasting Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola and raising more than $10 million in the process.

The 2024 Academy Gala Host Committee, also announced on Monday, includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo, Jon Bernthal, Orlando Bloom, Sterling K. Brown, Ruth E. Carter, Jon M. Chu, Kieran Culkin, Willem Dafoe, Ariana DeBose, Colman Domingo, Winston Duke, Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons, Cynthia Erivo, Emerald Fennell, Sally Field, Nicholas Galitzine, Jennifer Garner, Ariana Grande, Ludwig Göransson, Regina Hall, Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson, Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Cord Jefferson, Dwayne Johnson, Rashida Jones, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Jessica Lange, Jude Law, Jennifer Lawrence, Greta Lee, Demi Moore, Niecy Nash-Betts, Josh O’Connor, Ke Huy Quan, Questlove, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eddie Redmayne, Saoirse Ronan, Meg Ryan, Celine Song, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang, Jeffrey Wright, Letitia Wright, Steven Yeun and Hans Zimmer.

Elena Martín Gimeno’s “Creaturas” Wins Europa Cinemas Best European Film at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Elena Martín Gimeno is celebrating a special recognition…

The Spanish director’s film Creatura won the Europa Cinemas prize as Best European Film at Directors’ Fortnight on Thursday.

The prize was announced ahead of the evening closing ceremony for the non-competitive parallel Directors Fortnight section.

The Europa Cinema is one of the key collateral prizes awarded to films world premiering in the section.

Under the Europa Cinema prize, the release of Creatura will receive the support of cinemas belonging to the independent exhibitor network representing 3,060 screens in 38 countries.

The jury consists of four exhibitor members of the network.

Creatura centers on a seemingly perfect couple who no longer manage to have sex, prompting one partner to probe her past and her sexual awakening, from adolescence back to early childhood.

Directors Fortnights’ final day hosted a special event with Quentin Tarantino and closes with Hong Sangsoo’s In Our Day, in the presence of the Korean director.

“Elena Martin Gimeno’s Creatura is a really well-written and impressive portrayal of a woman as she tries to come to terms with her sexuality and intimacy while reflecting on her childhood and teenage experiences. This is a subject that has been covered before, but each character is so multi-layered and believable that the film is easy to relate to – both the female and the male characters,” the Europa Cinema Jury said in a statement.

“There are challenging moments but there is humor too. It is dynamic and beautifully shot. We are sure that this is a film that will touch people all around Europe, and we welcome the opportunity of encouraging the career of a very talented director, writer and actress.”

The cast includes Gimeno (Mila), Clàudia Dalmau (Mila), Clàudia Borràs (Mila), Oriol Pla (Marcel), Alex Brendemühl (Gerard), Clara Segura (Diana), Marc Cartanyà (Gerard) and Carla Linares (Diana).

Elena Martín is an actress, screenwriter and director from Barcelona. Her debut as a director for which she also took the leading role, Júlia ist, was praised by the festival circuit. As an actress, she starred in Watermelon Juice, Facing the Wind or Agatha’s Friends. On TV for HBO, she was in the writer’s room of Veneno, directed two episodes of Perfect Life and created an episode of En casa.

The Cannes Europa Cinemas Label Jury this year comprised Laurent Callonnec (Cinéma l’Ecran, Saint-Denis, France), Sofie Mercier (Sphinx Cinema, Ghent, Belgium), Viviane Thill (Ciné Starlight, Dudelange, Luxembourg) and Justė Vyšniauskaitė (Kaunas cinema centre Romuva, Kaunas, Lithuania).

Jenna Ortega To Serve as Presenter at This Week’s Golden Globes Awards Show

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jenna Ortega is preparing for an extra golden night…

The 20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress will serve as a presenter at this year’s Golden Globes awards ceremony.

Ortega, who is a first-time nominee this year for her starring role in Netflix’s Wednesday, was among the latest list of presenters announced today.

But she isn’t the only Latinx talent to be added to the presenter’s list.

Harvey Guillén, who rose to acclaim in What We Do in The Shadows, and former Golden Globe-nominee Salma Hayek Pinault will also take the stage.

Other newly announced presenters include Jennifer Hudson, Claire Danes, Cole Hauser, Henry Golding, Hilary Swank, Glen Powell, Jay Ellis, Jennifer Coolidge, Letitia Wright, Mo Brings Plenty and Regina Hall.

Also participating on the telecast will be Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, offering a special message of peace which will be introduced by actor Sean Penn.

They join the previously announced presenters, which include Ana De Armas, Ana Gasteyer, Colman Domingo, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Natasha Lyonne, Niecy Nash-Betts, Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tracy Morgan and Nicole Byer.

The Golden Globes are set to air live coast-to-coast on January. 10 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. PT/8:00-11:00 pm ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Jerrod Carmichael will host the ceremony, which will held at the Globes’ usual home, the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Calif.

Eddie Murphy will be the recipient of the 2023 Cecil B. DeMille Award. Ryan Murphy will receive the Carol Burnett Award.

Ana de Armas Among First Presenters Announced for Upcoming Golden Globe Awards

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armas is pretty for her golden hour…

The first string of presenters for the 80th Golden Globe Awards have been announced, with the 34-year-old Cuban and Spanish actress among those set to take the stage.

de Armas, who previously earned a Golden Globe nod for her breakout role in Knives Out, is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama this year for her performance as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez will also present at this year’s awards show.

The 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress made history when she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, becoming the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe in the history of the awards.

Colman Domingo has also made the presenters list…

The 52-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist is an Emmy Award winner for his performance on HBO’s Euphoria.

Others set to present Ana Gasteyer, Billy Porter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Natasha Lyonne, Nicole Byer, Niecy Nash-Betts, Quentin Tarantino and Tracy Morgan.

As the Hollywood Foreign Press Association looks to get back on its feet after weathering diversity controversies, it has been buzzed that personal reps wouldn’t allow their clients to get back on stage. However, as the HFPA has expanded its ranks with journalists of color, it appears that the industry is pivoting in its attitude toward the organization.

Jerrod Carmichael will host the ceremony airing live coast-to-coast on January 10 from 5-8 p.m. PT/8-11 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Produced by dick clark productions and Jesse Collins Entertainment in association with the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards are viewed in more than 210 territories worldwide. Helen Hoehne is president of the HFPA. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will serve as executive producers.

Paul Calderón to Star on the Marvel Studios Disney+ Series “Ironheart”

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Paul Calderón has ironed out details on his next project…

The 63-year-old Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast of the Marvel Studios Disney+ series Ironheart in an undisclosed role.

The 6-episode series, created by Chinaka Hodge, will star Dominique Thorne as Marvel character Riri Williams, a genius inventor and creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.

Previously announced cast also includes Anthony Ramos, Shakira Barrera, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.

Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes are directing, with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity among the production entities.

Coogler, Ironheart head writer Chinaka Hodge, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian serve as executive producers alongside Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum and Zoie Nagelhout.

Calderón is a writer, actor, and director who most recently appeared in one of the final episodes of NBC’s This Is Us titled “Miguel,” which focused on the character of Miguel Rivas (Jon Huertas).

Additionally, Calderón starred in multiple seasons of Amazon’s Bosch in the role of Detective Jimmy Robertson.

His other notable TV credits include AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Hostages for CBS, NBC’s Law & Order, and Miami Vice.

On the big screen, he served as co-writer of Abel Ferrera’s Bad Lieutenant starring Harvey Keitel. Calderón also played a cop in the 1992 film. Film credits also include Sydney Pollack’s The Firm, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Cop Land by James Mangold, Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s 21 Grams.

The U.S. Army veteran who studied acting under the G.I. Bill went on to become a founding member of the LAByrinth Theater Company where he mentored Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Rockwell and Lauren Luna Velez, among others.

Guillermo del Toro to Receive ‘Hall of Fame Award’ During Final Draft Awards

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro has earned a spot in the Final (Draft)…

The 57-year-old Mexican Oscar-winning filmmaker will be among the honorees for screenwriting excellence at the 17th annual Final Draft Awards, which will be presented in a virtual ceremony on March 16.

del Toro will be honored alongside Jane Campion, Nicole Holofcener, Danny Strong, Jeymes Samuel, and Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson.

del Toro, whose current film is Nightmare Alley, will be presented with the Hall of Fame Award, honoring a writer whose body of work has had a profound influence on the industry.

The inaugural Trailblazer Award will go to Oscar-winning filmmaker Campion who is currently winning much acclaim for her latest film The Power of the Dog; the honor recognizes a writer whose career exudes excellence and who consistently tells compelling and bold stories.

Two Storyteller Awards will be presented recognizing writers who consistently maintain a level of excellence and surpass expectations. Academy Award nominee Holofcener will receive the Storyteller Award (Film) for The Last Duel, on which she collaborated with stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Two-time Emmy winner Strong will receive the Storyteller Award (TV) for the limited series Dopesick, currently streaming on Hulu. Additionally, Final Draft will present two New Voice Awards recognizing rising and vital talents in the industry: The New Voice Award (TV) to Lyle and Nickerson, the husband-and-wife writer-producer team behind Showtime’s Yellowjackets, and The New Voice Award (Film) to Samuel whose feature debut The Harder They Fall is currently streaming on Netflix.

“Storytellers have been revered throughout history for their ability to connect us,” Final Draft president Shelly Mellott said Wednesday. “This year’s honorees are using their considerable talents to tell brave, audacious stories in imaginative ways that entertain, provoke and enlighten audiences. We could not be more proud to honor them and their outstanding work and the impact their stories have on our culture.”

Final Draft, the screenwriting software company, has previously honored the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Nancy Meyers, Aaron Sorkin, Lawrence Kasdan, Paul Schrader, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski, Callie Khouri, Steven Zaillian, Robert Towne, Oliver Stone and Sydney Pollack, among others.

The Storyteller Award was introduced in 2021 and was presented to Steve McQueen and Sofia Coppola. The New Voice Award was introduced in 2017 with recipients including Ramy Yousef, Steven Canals, Lulu Wang, Liz Hannah, Issa Rae, Boots Riley, Radha Blank and Tanya Saracho.

Lorenza Izzo Signs with M88 for Representation

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Lorenza Izzo has new representation…

The 32-year-old Chilean actress and producer has signed with M88 and its sister company Uncmmn for representation.

Izzo will next be seen in Greg Mottola’s Miramax comedy, Confess, Fletch, opposite Jon Hamm.

She can currently be seen in HBO Max’s Emmy-winning comedy series Hacks, and in Lissette Feliciano’s award-winning film Women Is Losers, which was released by HBO Max after premiering in competition at SXSW. Izzo also produced the latter title, in which she stars opposite Shang-Chi‘s Simu Liu.

Izzo has previously appeared on the film side in Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar winner Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood; Universal and Amblin’s The House with a Clock in Its Walls, opposite Jack Black and Cate Blanchett; and writer-director Dan Fogelman’s multigenerational Amazon drama, Life Itself, opposite Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde.

She also starred opposite Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas in the Lionsgate psychological thriller Knock Knock, from director Eli Roth.

Izzo also recently starred on the television side in John Logan’s Penny Dreadful spin-off, City of Angels. Additional TV credits include AMC’s Feed the Beast, in which she starred alongside David Schwimmer and Jim Sturgess, the Gaumont/Netflix series Hemlock Grove, Hulu’s Dimension 404 and the fourth and final season of Hulu’s Casual.

Izzo is well known in Chile for starring in a pair of comedies from director Nicolas Lopez: Que Pena Tu Boda and Que Pena Tu Familia.

She continues to be represented by ICM and Viewpoint.

Former WME Partner Phillip Sun and Macro Founder & CEO Charles D. King launched M88 in 2020, with an eye toward supporting the work of the next generation of artists and cultural leaders. Sun leads the firm with partners Oronde Garrett and Gaby Mena.

Maurice Compte Signs with APA

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Maurice Compte has new representation…

The Cuban American actor, best known for his role as tough Colombian cop Carillo on the first two seasons of Netflix’s Narcos, has signed with APA (Agency for the Performing Arts) in all areas.

Compte, who stars as Kevin on Mayans MC, has also starred as high-level drug dealer Diego on the hit Starz series Power, and a season-long arc on From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.

He’s also appeared on Kevin Can Wait, The Last Ship, CSI, 24, Burn Notice, Lie To Me, Southland and most recently on the CW’s In The Dark.

On the film side, Compte also recently starred in Den Of Thieves opposite Gerard Butler, and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

Other feature credits include The Dream Catcher, Before Night Falls, All The Real Girls, End Of Watch and A Walk Among The Tombstones.

Lorenza Izzo to Star in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood”

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Lorenza Izzo is heading to Hollywood…

The 28-year-old Chilean actress and model has landed a role in the Quentin Tarantino-helmed film Once Upon a Time In Hollywood.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, the film visits 1969 Los Angeles, where one-time TV star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt) make their way in an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The plot features multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.

The large ensemble cast also includes Margot Robbie, Timothy Olyphant, Luke Perry, Damian Lewis, Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Scoot McNairy, Keith Jefferson and Nicholas Hammond.

Tarantino,David Heyman and Shannon McIntosh are producers on the film, which is slated for release July 26.

Izzo recurs in the final season of Hulu’s Casual series and appears in Universal Pictures’ The House with a Clock in Its Walls.

Marco Rodriguez to Star in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Hollywoodscreen moment for Marco Rodriguez…

The 65-year-old Latino actor is among the just-added cast members of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Along with Rodriguez, who starred in 1981’s Zoot Suit, the new additions include

Spencer Garrett, Martin Kove, James Remar, Brenda Vaccaro, Nichole Galicia, Mike Moh, Craig Stark, Ramon Franco and Raul Cardona.

They play a variety of characters alongside stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Burt Reynolds, Kurt Russell,Timothy Olyphant, Damian Lewis, Dakota Fanning, Scoot McNairyand Al Pacino.

Once Upon a Time takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippie Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), former star of a Western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognize anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor: Sharon Tate (Robbie).

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is produced by David Heyman, Tarantino and Shannon McIntosh.

Sony Pictureswill release the film on August 9, 2019.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Quentin Tarantino