Open Television and the Sundance Institute have joined forces for a new initiative aimed at expanding support for intersectional storytellers.
Launching amid the fifth anniversary of the annual #OTVFellows program, Pitch, Please! will serve as a launching pad for fellowship participants — a collection of independent artists marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, disability or nationality — and their creative projects. As part of the program, selected members of the cohort will pitch their series, short films and video art concepts to a panel of creative advisors and a live audience.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the Sundance Institute to bring Pitch, Please! to life,” Elijah McKinnon, co-founder and executive director of Open Television, said. “Feedback is the ultimate gift when you are crafting your skill as a storyteller and this initiative provides an intentional opportunity for our fellows to share their pitches in an innovative format that...
Launching amid the fifth anniversary of the annual #OTVFellows program, Pitch, Please! will serve as a launching pad for fellowship participants — a collection of independent artists marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, disability or nationality — and their creative projects. As part of the program, selected members of the cohort will pitch their series, short films and video art concepts to a panel of creative advisors and a live audience.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the Sundance Institute to bring Pitch, Please! to life,” Elijah McKinnon, co-founder and executive director of Open Television, said. “Feedback is the ultimate gift when you are crafting your skill as a storyteller and this initiative provides an intentional opportunity for our fellows to share their pitches in an innovative format that...
- 11/2/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Old Young Crow,” an American/Japanese short film directed by Liam LoPinto, took top honors at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, winning the Best of the Festival Award along with a cash prize of $5,000, the festival announced Sunday.
The win makes LoPinto’s film one of five at the festival that now qualify for the 2024 Academy Awards.
Other Oscars-qualifying short films from the Palm Springs ShortFest include: Lithuania’s “Way Better,” the Best Animated Short winner from director Skirmanta Jakaitė; China’s “Will You Look at Me,” director Shuli Huang’s Best Documentary Short winner; the French entry “Sèt Lam,” directed by Vincent Fontano, won Best Live Action Short over 15 minutes; and Spain’s “Mystic Tiger,” winner of Best Live Action Short under 15 minutes by director Marc Martínez.
The winners received a total of $25,000 in prizes in categories judged by industry luminaries, festival organizers and journalists. Read on for the complete list of winners.
The win makes LoPinto’s film one of five at the festival that now qualify for the 2024 Academy Awards.
Other Oscars-qualifying short films from the Palm Springs ShortFest include: Lithuania’s “Way Better,” the Best Animated Short winner from director Skirmanta Jakaitė; China’s “Will You Look at Me,” director Shuli Huang’s Best Documentary Short winner; the French entry “Sèt Lam,” directed by Vincent Fontano, won Best Live Action Short over 15 minutes; and Spain’s “Mystic Tiger,” winner of Best Live Action Short under 15 minutes by director Marc Martínez.
The winners received a total of $25,000 in prizes in categories judged by industry luminaries, festival organizers and journalists. Read on for the complete list of winners.
- 6/25/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Once a month, Tanya Saracho’s Ojalá Production’s headquarters in Los Angeles transforms into a safe circle of trust for the Latina Squad — where more than 80 Latin executives gather to recommend projects and up-and-comers to their Hollywood peers whose companies may be a better fit.
The uber-connected Latina Squad may seem like a well-kept industry secret. But within the entertainment industry powers-that-be, the coalition is making moves. Founded by Ojalá’s head of development and production Christine Dávila in 2021, the group consists of female executives who get together to discuss their creative needs, provide emotional support and share about the film and television projects they’re working on. The high-powered Squad includes CBS’ Adriana Martínez Barrón, Showtime’s Danielle De Jesus, Entertainment One’s Jacqueline Sacerio and Skydance’s Aimee Rivera, who tell The Hollywood Reporter that countless success stories have come out of their meet-ups,...
Once a month, Tanya Saracho’s Ojalá Production’s headquarters in Los Angeles transforms into a safe circle of trust for the Latina Squad — where more than 80 Latin executives gather to recommend projects and up-and-comers to their Hollywood peers whose companies may be a better fit.
The uber-connected Latina Squad may seem like a well-kept industry secret. But within the entertainment industry powers-that-be, the coalition is making moves. Founded by Ojalá’s head of development and production Christine Dávila in 2021, the group consists of female executives who get together to discuss their creative needs, provide emotional support and share about the film and television projects they’re working on. The high-powered Squad includes CBS’ Adriana Martínez Barrón, Showtime’s Danielle De Jesus, Entertainment One’s Jacqueline Sacerio and Skydance’s Aimee Rivera, who tell The Hollywood Reporter that countless success stories have come out of their meet-ups,...
- 12/21/2022
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2022 edition of InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema Film Festival from NewFilmmakers LA (Nfmla) will be held from Sept. 23-24 in association with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
For the first time since 2019, the festival will be held in-person at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The lineup consists of three short film programs showcasing a variety of genres. The festival, which is co-presented by The Mbs Group, includes screenings, filmmaker Q&a sessions, industry development programs and educational panels.
The festival features independent films from emerging talent hailing from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela and the United States. Two world premieres will be held at the festival, and one film will see its North American premiere.
“This program is incredibly special to the Nfmla community and to Los Angelenos,” Bojana Sandic, Nfmla programming director, and Larry Laboe, executive director and co-founder,...
For the first time since 2019, the festival will be held in-person at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The lineup consists of three short film programs showcasing a variety of genres. The festival, which is co-presented by The Mbs Group, includes screenings, filmmaker Q&a sessions, industry development programs and educational panels.
The festival features independent films from emerging talent hailing from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela and the United States. Two world premieres will be held at the festival, and one film will see its North American premiere.
“This program is incredibly special to the Nfmla community and to Los Angelenos,” Bojana Sandic, Nfmla programming director, and Larry Laboe, executive director and co-founder,...
- 9/15/2022
- by Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Starz has given the greenlight to a new series from “Vida” creator Tanya Saracho.
“Lovesong,” which is currently in development, is a half-hour drama that will follow two Mexican American childhood friends living in London as they both become entangled in a torturous love-triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter. A love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship.
“Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose and the price of happiness,” a description for the series reads.
Also Read:
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 3 Trailer Finds the Umbrellas Going Toe-to-Toe with the Sparrows (Video)
“This story is very much a child of the pandemic, born from those times when we were yearning for love stories to soothe the soul and light the way through the dark times. This is also when the light of...
“Lovesong,” which is currently in development, is a half-hour drama that will follow two Mexican American childhood friends living in London as they both become entangled in a torturous love-triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter. A love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship.
“Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose and the price of happiness,” a description for the series reads.
Also Read:
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 3 Trailer Finds the Umbrellas Going Toe-to-Toe with the Sparrows (Video)
“This story is very much a child of the pandemic, born from those times when we were yearning for love stories to soothe the soul and light the way through the dark times. This is also when the light of...
- 5/19/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
Tanya Saracho, who created the Starz series Vida which ran for three seasons, has set a new project at the streamer. Saracho is currently developing the half-hour drama Lovesong, it was announced on Thursday.
Musician and actor Johnny Flynn will also co-executive produce and serve as composer.
Lovesong follows two Mexican American childhood friends living in London as they both become entangled in a torturous love triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter. A love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship. Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose, and the price of happiness.
The news arrives ahead of Starz’ inaugural #TakeTheLead summit on Thursday that’ll count with Saracho’s participation in the “Power of Allyship” panel about fighting for representation.
“We are beyond thrilled to partner with Tanya to bring her...
Musician and actor Johnny Flynn will also co-executive produce and serve as composer.
Lovesong follows two Mexican American childhood friends living in London as they both become entangled in a torturous love triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter. A love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship. Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose, and the price of happiness.
The news arrives ahead of Starz’ inaugural #TakeTheLead summit on Thursday that’ll count with Saracho’s participation in the “Power of Allyship” panel about fighting for representation.
“We are beyond thrilled to partner with Tanya to bring her...
- 5/19/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz announced the development of “Lovesong,” a half-hour drama series created, written and executive produced by “Vida” creator Tanya Saracho.
The series will follow two Mexican American childhood friends living in London as they become entangled in a torturous love triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter — a love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship. Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose and the price of happiness. Johnny Flynn will serve as composer.
The news comes ahead of Saracho’s participation in a panel about allyship and representation in Starz’s #TakeTheLead Summit.
“We are beyond thrilled to partner with Tanya to bring her bold and tantalizing love story to life,” said Kathryn Busby, president of original programming at Starz. “Throughout her career and from ‘Vida’ to ‘Lovesong’ on Starz, her dedication...
The series will follow two Mexican American childhood friends living in London as they become entangled in a torturous love triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter — a love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship. Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose and the price of happiness. Johnny Flynn will serve as composer.
The news comes ahead of Saracho’s participation in a panel about allyship and representation in Starz’s #TakeTheLead Summit.
“We are beyond thrilled to partner with Tanya to bring her bold and tantalizing love story to life,” said Kathryn Busby, president of original programming at Starz. “Throughout her career and from ‘Vida’ to ‘Lovesong’ on Starz, her dedication...
- 5/19/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Molly Ringwald is “so happy” about the Sixteen Candles-inspired series in development from UCP for Peacock, executive produced by Selena Gomez, Tanya Saracho, and Gabriela Lugo.
15 Candles tells the story of four young Latinas starting high school as they overcome their feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind through the lens of the traditional female coming-of-age rite: the quinceañera, Deadline announced exclusively on March 15.
“I am so happy about that,” Ringwald said recently. “I really do feel like when people always ask me about rebooting my movies, I am like, ‘No those movies were wonderful,’ but what they should do is take inspiration from them and do something completely different but inspired, so that just sounds fantastic.”
Ringwald starred in the 1984 John Hughes classic about Samantha, a teen whose 16th birthday was almost ruined after her family forgot her big day.
The Riverdale actress...
15 Candles tells the story of four young Latinas starting high school as they overcome their feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind through the lens of the traditional female coming-of-age rite: the quinceañera, Deadline announced exclusively on March 15.
“I am so happy about that,” Ringwald said recently. “I really do feel like when people always ask me about rebooting my movies, I am like, ‘No those movies were wonderful,’ but what they should do is take inspiration from them and do something completely different but inspired, so that just sounds fantastic.”
Ringwald starred in the 1984 John Hughes classic about Samantha, a teen whose 16th birthday was almost ruined after her family forgot her big day.
The Riverdale actress...
- 3/21/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Selena Gomez, Tanya Saracho and Gabriela Revilla Lugo are teaming up to develop a TV comedy spin on John Hughes’ beloved 1984 coming-of-age film “Sixteen Candles.”
Titled “15 Candles,” the half-hour series will follow four young Latinas in high school, navigating feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind as quinceañera season approaches. The series, set at Peacock, hails from Universal Content Productions.
Saracho, under her Ojalá Productions banner, and Lugo write and executive produce “15 Candles,” while Gomez also executive produces under her July Moon Productions. Ojalá’s Christine Dávila co-executive produces.
Gomez stars in the recently renewed Hulu comedy “Only Murders in the Building” alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. Saracho served as a writer, director and producer of the Starz drama “Vida.” Lugo is a writer, director and producer who has worked on projects like “Whiplash,” “Palm Springs” and “A Million Little Things.”
Written and directed by Hughes,...
Titled “15 Candles,” the half-hour series will follow four young Latinas in high school, navigating feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind as quinceañera season approaches. The series, set at Peacock, hails from Universal Content Productions.
Saracho, under her Ojalá Productions banner, and Lugo write and executive produce “15 Candles,” while Gomez also executive produces under her July Moon Productions. Ojalá’s Christine Dávila co-executive produces.
Gomez stars in the recently renewed Hulu comedy “Only Murders in the Building” alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. Saracho served as a writer, director and producer of the Starz drama “Vida.” Lugo is a writer, director and producer who has worked on projects like “Whiplash,” “Palm Springs” and “A Million Little Things.”
Written and directed by Hughes,...
- 3/15/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Tanya Saracho (Vida), Gabriela Revilla Lugo, and Selena Gomez are developing the single-camera comedy 15 Candles, a reconfiguration of the world of John Hughes‘ 16 Candles.
The half-hour series—from UCP for Peacock—follows four young Latinas starting high school as they overcome their feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind through the lens of the traditional female coming-of-age rite: the quinceañera.
Saracho, under her Ojalá Production banner, and Lugo serve as writers and executive producers of the project. Gomez also executive produces under her July Moon Productions. Christine Dávila of Ojalá Productions co-executive produces.
Saracho is a playwright and TV writer who most recently served as creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Vida on Starz.
She co-founded the Untitled Latinx Project, whose mission is to increase Latine representation in TV, broadcast, cable, and streaming...
The half-hour series—from UCP for Peacock—follows four young Latinas starting high school as they overcome their feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind through the lens of the traditional female coming-of-age rite: the quinceañera.
Saracho, under her Ojalá Production banner, and Lugo serve as writers and executive producers of the project. Gomez also executive produces under her July Moon Productions. Christine Dávila of Ojalá Productions co-executive produces.
Saracho is a playwright and TV writer who most recently served as creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Vida on Starz.
She co-founded the Untitled Latinx Project, whose mission is to increase Latine representation in TV, broadcast, cable, and streaming...
- 3/15/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival announced today the ten visionary Afro Latino and Indigenous Latino directors selected for its second annual Latinx Inclusion Fellowship in collaboration with Netflix.
The fellowship was created to increase opportunities for underrepresented groups within the Latino community.
Indigenous Latino cohorts include William D. Caballero, Evelyn Lorena, Nicole Mejia, Sebastian Rea, and Kristi Uribes. Selected Afro Latino cohorts are Elyssa Aquino, Jeanette Dilone, Alexis Garcia, Gabriella A. Moses, and Eli Vazquez.
Each fellow will be awarded a $20k grant to produce a short and will receive individualized mentorship, as well as various networking opportunities. Their completed films will premiere as part of the 2022 version of Laliff, where the fellows will also participate in the festival’s Industry Week to further develop their careers and gain industry access needed to succeed as working artists.
“We are honored to be able to provide this unique fellowship that,...
The fellowship was created to increase opportunities for underrepresented groups within the Latino community.
Indigenous Latino cohorts include William D. Caballero, Evelyn Lorena, Nicole Mejia, Sebastian Rea, and Kristi Uribes. Selected Afro Latino cohorts are Elyssa Aquino, Jeanette Dilone, Alexis Garcia, Gabriella A. Moses, and Eli Vazquez.
Each fellow will be awarded a $20k grant to produce a short and will receive individualized mentorship, as well as various networking opportunities. Their completed films will premiere as part of the 2022 version of Laliff, where the fellows will also participate in the festival’s Industry Week to further develop their careers and gain industry access needed to succeed as working artists.
“We are honored to be able to provide this unique fellowship that,...
- 12/14/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Tanya Saracho’s 2014 play off-Broadway play, Mala Hierba is coming to the big screen, and the Vida creator will be helming the feature.
In her movie directorial debut, Saracho has teamed up with Anonymous Content to adapt the Texas border town set drama. Mala Hierba the movie will be produced by the Robert Walak and Alisa Tager-run AC Studios, with Dawn Olmstead, David Levine, and Whitney Dibo overseeing the project for the Mr. Robot and True Detective outfit. Former Vida EP Stephanie Langhoff, and Christine Davila, head of development and production at Saracho’s Ojala Productions, will serve as producers on Mala Hierba.
Originally opening at Second Stage Uptown nearly six years ago, the play unravels the coiffured life of a Lone Star state trophy wife who begins to see the cracks in her life of wealth and privilege as her first and perhaps true love reappears. The...
In her movie directorial debut, Saracho has teamed up with Anonymous Content to adapt the Texas border town set drama. Mala Hierba the movie will be produced by the Robert Walak and Alisa Tager-run AC Studios, with Dawn Olmstead, David Levine, and Whitney Dibo overseeing the project for the Mr. Robot and True Detective outfit. Former Vida EP Stephanie Langhoff, and Christine Davila, head of development and production at Saracho’s Ojala Productions, will serve as producers on Mala Hierba.
Originally opening at Second Stage Uptown nearly six years ago, the play unravels the coiffured life of a Lone Star state trophy wife who begins to see the cracks in her life of wealth and privilege as her first and perhaps true love reappears. The...
- 7/7/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (Nfmla) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present the InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema Festival on Sept. 14 at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.
The event gives the opportunity for emerging Latinx filmmakers from around the world to screen their films and network with industry luminaries. This year’s filmmakers hail from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Spain, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Australia, Canada and the United States and will screen short films over three programs.
Nfmla executive director and co-founder Larry Laboe said the festival tends to stay away from pics dominating the film festival circuit, leaving space for those that would otherwise not be seen. “We’re serving a niche of filmmakers that are in the same caliber of what you see in the big film festivals that just may not have made it in those festivals,” he said.
The...
The event gives the opportunity for emerging Latinx filmmakers from around the world to screen their films and network with industry luminaries. This year’s filmmakers hail from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Spain, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Australia, Canada and the United States and will screen short films over three programs.
Nfmla executive director and co-founder Larry Laboe said the festival tends to stay away from pics dominating the film festival circuit, leaving space for those that would otherwise not be seen. “We’re serving a niche of filmmakers that are in the same caliber of what you see in the big film festivals that just may not have made it in those festivals,” he said.
The...
- 9/10/2019
- by Dano Nissen
- Variety Film + TV
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