Latino Filmmakers, Celebrities, Industry Executives , Media and Bloggers Mix it Up
Miami, FL – Hispanicize 2012 today unveiled its line-up of feature length, short and documentary films as well as more than a dozen professional development sessions that together comprise the first annual Hispanicize 2012 National Latino Film Showcase.
“With this inaugural showcase Latino filmmakers and filmmaking officially become a core part of our event’s DNA,” said Manny Ruiz, organizer and creative director of Hispanicize 2012, the third annual Latino trends event taking place in Miami, April 10-13. The National Latino Film Showcase, a co-production of Hispanicize 2012 with Latin Heat Media and Getty Images Hispanic, is title sponsored by BlackBerry and Diageo. Other sponsors include Cricket Wireless, Starz, Regal Cinemas, Bacardi USA and HATUEY Cuban-Style Ale.
Focus is on Propelling U.S. Latino Filmmakers
“This year’s medley of films and sessions represent a strong start to what we feel will be a growing program specifically tailored to advance the careers of U.S. Latino filmmakers and actors,” said Roman Morales, the event’s film curator. “Hispanicize already gathers so many journalists, bloggers and cultural influencers that it’s perfectly positioned to be the launch pad for the careers of many future Latino directors, actors and producers.”
Latino filmmakers, producers, actors and their films will be showcased on all four nights of Hispanicize 2012, beginning with the world premiere of Kiki Melendez’s The Journey of a Female Comic-La Trayectoria De Una Comediante on April 10th, continuing with Adam Schlachter’s drama Hollywood Whores; and Andres Ramirez’s thriller Unknowns/Los Desconocidos, as well as others. (The roster of films selected for the showcase is at the end of this release).
Among the filmmakers, actors and celebrities confirmed to attend Hispanicize 2012 are: Steven Bauer (Scarface), Cesar Millian (The Dog Whisperer), Emilio Estefan (19-time GRAMMY-winning Music Producer), Jessy Terrero (director of Gun and Soul Plane), Gina Rodriguez (Filly Brown), Dominik Garcia-Lorido (Magic City), Yul Vazquez (Magic City), Nely Galan (Entrepreneur, The Swan), Pepe Serna (Scarface), Maria Elena Salinas (Univision anchor), Angel Salazar (Scarface), Mauricio Mendoza (Unknowns, Resurrection Blvd.,)and Yeniffer Behrens (Unknowns, Decisions), as well as others.
The stars of this year’s film showcase will shine brightest on the Black Carpet Night of Thursday, April 12 sponsored by BlackBerry. The Black Carpet will feature a parade of Latino stars, directors and producers followed by the screening of several films on four screens at South Beach’s Regal South Beach Stadium 18. The event’s Latino Hollywood after party presented by Diageo will immediately follow the screenings across the street at the world famous 1111 Lincoln Road, South Florida’s most famous after party location. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSaQQ7UA4Xs)
On Friday, April 13, Hispanicize 2012 culminates with an unprecedented oceanside screening of the cult-following film classic Scarface featuring stars Steven Bauer (“Manolo”), Pepe Serna (“Angel“) and Angel Salazar (“Chi Chi”) at the iconic Miami Beach mansion, Villa Vecchia.
The film is being presented by Bacardi, legendary HATUEY Cuban-Style Ale and Cricket Wireless as a benefit and silent auction for ArtesMiami, Inc. a 501C3 the South Florida non-profit organization dedicated to developing South Florida as a cultural center with a special focus on Hispanic culture.
The privately held outdoor film benefit will exclusively feature sponsors, bloggers, media and VIP guests and will also be the place where organizers will present the winners of the film showcase’s best feature length and short film prizes. (A Scarface parody YouTube video for the benefit has been produced by Digibunch at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCXAkEvFL5U).
Professional Development Film Sessions
Overall, more than a dozen film and entertainment related panels will be sprinkled throughout the four-day event. Among the panels are: “From Telenovelas to Mainstream Roles”, a conversation between a top agent and telenovela star making the cross-over into mainstream TV or film; “Latino Writers – Universal Stories” featuring writer Ligiah Villalobos (Firelight, Under the Same Moon); “Re-Thinking the Distribution Deal” looks at traditional avenues of distribution with an eye towards the in the new digital age; “Documentary Storytelling” gives you the 411 on the process of getting your documentary made featuring renown documentarian Hector Galan, (Accordion Dreams) and Ben De Jesus, who is working on the new Ghetto Klown about John Leguizamo’s career trajectory; “The Essentials to a Successful Film Marketing Campaign” is where marketing professionals give you their into market films; “Casting the Role” is where talent executives (Tim McNeal of Disney/ABC) and talent discuss the journey of seeking and getting that coveted role.
In addition to these movie industry panels, filmmakers attending the event have full access to attend any of the event’s other sessions relating to social media, advertising, public relations, entrepreneurship and/or blogging.
Film Programming Schedule of the National Latino Film Showcase
TUESDAY, APRIL 10TH, 2012 AT 7PM The Journey of a Female Comic-La Trayectoria De Una Comediante Producer/Director: Kiki Melendez The life of a Latina female entertainer in America does not come with any guarantees or any easy paths. In Kiki Melendez’ story, she has gone through plenty of disappointments, rejections and heartbreaks, and she has brilliantly translated her adventures into a hilariously funny Movie! Featured Cast: Maria Conchita Alonzo, Marc Anthony, John Travolta, Esai Morales, Lupe Ontiveros, Nadine Velasquez, Jacob Vargas (World Premiere)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11TH, 2012 (STARTING AT 7 PM)
For Greater Glory Director: Dean Wright, Producer: Pablo Jose Barroso A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929), which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican government’s attempt to secularize the country. Cast: Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria, Peter O’Toole, Santiago Cabrera, Catalina Sandino Moreno (Sneak Peek Advance Screening Q&A with talent)
Unknowns/Desconocidos Director: Andres Ramirez, Producer: Manolo Travieso A group of young unknown actors arrive in Hollywood and become the unsuspecting participants in a snuff film – theirs. Cast: Yeniffer Behrens, Sonya Smith, Gabriel Porras
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012
Hollywood Whores Writer-Director: Adam Schlachter, Producers: Adam Schlachter, Van Kassabian Struggling artists in Los Angeles, from studio executive to homeless actor, compromise their identities, integrities, and souls in search of their dreams, ideals, and passions…. Funny, realistic, and heartfelt. Cast: Henrik Larsson, Yeniffer Behrens, Anup Sugunan, Carla Tassara, Michael Gavino, Viviana Vigil, and Joey Medina.
The Cable Directed by Jesse Quiñones, Producer: Ann Marie Goodwin A gripping documentary about two children in Colombia who must use a cable, which is connected to two mountains, as their only means of travelling to and from the outside world.
The Miracle of Spanish Harlem Directed by Derek Velez Partridge Screenplay by Carlos Bermudez Kate Del Castillo (Eva) gives (Tito) Luis Antonio Ramos a second chance at love but he must first overcome a lie and find redemption. This is an emotional drama about a man that tries to make his own miracle, only to find a real one. (Florida Premiere) Cast: Tony Plana, Andre Royo, Fatima Ptacek, Adrian Martinez, Priscilla Lopez, Geraldo Rivera
History of Spaceflight Director: Chris Caraballo, Producer: Chris Caraballo, Lea Dizon, Douglas Jessup When their parents leave them home alone for the afternoon, the Beasley children devise a scheme to sneak up into the attic to uncover their Christmas presents early. It’s one small step for them, but one giant leap for children everywhere. Cast: Christian Kramme, Cole Jensen, Rachel & Amanda Pace
Girl in Progress Director: Patricia Riggen As single mom Grace juggles work, bills, and her affair with a married doctor, her daughter, Ansiedad, plots a shortcut to adulthood after finding inspiration in the coming-of-age stories she’s reading for school. Cast: Eva Mendes, Cierra Rodriguez, Patricia Arquette, Matthew Modine (Advance Sneak Peek Screening)
Lilia Director: Sam Lerma ‘Lilia’ is a story about a man’s struggle to keep his family together, after losing his job. Cast: Alfredo Lomeli , Aisa Palomares, Lauren Montemayor (Lilia)
Knight to D7: Director: Nathan Scoggins, Executive Producer: Hugo Perez From the award-winning creators of GRANDE DRIP comes a compelling short film about friendship, sacrifice, and the importance of significance over existence. An extraordinary story of sacrifice takes place one ordinary afternoon when a young engineer, Dustin Harper, visits his longtime friend, Brady Collins. Their ongoing game of chess is brought to a halt when Brady reveals that his continuing battle with cancer has taken a turn for the worst. The only thing harder than saying goodbye will be honoring Brady’s last request.
Most Wanted Producer/Director: Dallas King Set in the future, an FBI agent must ”jump” across space to capture the creator of a controversial drug that’s taking over the world. Cast: Michael King, Venus Leone, Yoshua Sudarso, Cris D’Annunzio
Magic City presented by Starz Miami Beach, New Year’s Eve, 1959. Castro’s rebels seize Havana, while the Kennedys, the mob and the CIA all hold court at the luxurious Miramar Playa Hotel. This is Ike Evans’ place, and he used mob boss Ben “The Butcher” Diamond to finance it. With diving clowns by day, and escorts at night, nothing’s what it seems in the STARZ Original Series Magic City. Cast: Jeffery Dean Morgan, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Yul Vazquez
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012 AT 6 PM
Scarface – Oceanside mansion film benefit for ArtesMiami, Inc. with stars Steven Bauer, Pepe Serna and Angel Salazar Director: Brian De Palma Producer: Martin Bregmen In 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel while succumbing to greed. The 1983 film has become a cult film classic much in the same way as the Godfather has. Cast: Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfiffer, Pepe Serna, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Angel Salazar.
Hispanicize 2012 Sponsors and Media Partners
Hispanicize 2012 sponsors include Disney Parks, Target, BlackBerry, Unilever’s ViveMejor, Sprint, Dove Clear Tone, Walmart, McDonald’s, Cricket Wireless, Starz, Pampers, Univision Communications, JeffreyGroup, Southwest Airlines, Diageo, Telemundo, RadioShack, UnitedHealthcare, Clorox, JetBlue Airways, Fox Hispanic Media, Herbalife, NBC Latino, Terra, Visit Orlando, HATUEY Cuban-Style Ale, Bacardi USA, The Axis Agency, Transitions, Fleishman-Hillard, Newlink America, PR Newswire, Business Wire, Sensis, Critical Mention, Voxxi, Plus Three, Fox News Latino, OfferWise, Reyes Entertainment and others.
Hispanicize 2012 media partners include Getty Images Latin America/Hispanic, Latin Heat Media, Billboard Latin Music, AdWeek, Hispanic Market Weekly, LatinVision and the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP).
The event’s 2012 charity focus is for ArtesMiami, a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing South Florida as a cultural center with a special focus on Hispanic culture.
Sponsorship information is still available by emailing sponsorship@hispanicizeevent.com or contacting tel: 203.364.4779. The conference hashtag is #HISPZ11. To sign up for conference-related Twitter headlines visit www.Twitter.com/Hispanicize.
Hispanicize 2012 is a partnership of Hispanicize, the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
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