The Hispanicize 2013 Film Festival has selected Mission Park as its first competition film of 2013. The film is part of a robust program expansion for 2013 that will spotlight more filmmakers and will include collaboration with other film festivals. The stellar cast includes members of the LatPak® Jeremy Ray Valdez, Walter Perez, Joseph Julian Soria, Douglas Spain, Fernanda Romero, and Vivica A. Fox, Will Rothhaar, Julio Cedillo, David J. Phillips, Will Estes, Jesse Borrego, and Sean Patrick Flanery.
Hispanicize 2013 , the fourth annual Latino trends event for filmmakers, bloggers, journalists, marketers and music artists, takes place April 9-13, 2013 at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach.
“We are proud to announce that our first competition film selected for Hispanicize 2013 is Bryan Anthony Ramirez’ ‘Mission Park’. This film was a joy to watch. Part Michael Bay. Part Scorsese. All Latino,” said Festival Curator and Director Roman Morales.
“Our commitment to film is expanding with a festival that is powerfully sharpened to showcase the works and talent of independent Latino filmmakers like never before,” added Manny Ruiz, founder and creative director of Hispanicize 2013. “Everything we’re doing for 2013 is meant to empower filmmakers.”
About “Mission Park”
Torn apart over time, the ambitions of four childhood friends place them on both sides of the law. Young FBI Agents Bobby (Jeremy Ray Valdez) and Julian (Will Rothhaar) are forced to infiltrate and take down a drug organization run by the untouchable kingpin Jason (Walter Perez) and his right-hand man Derek (Joseph Julian Soria).
About Director Bryan Ramirez:
Bryan Ramirez was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. At a very young age he showed an interest in filmmaking and devoted all of his time creating Ninja Maniacs, which later sold for $.25 at a garage sale.
In 2001 Bryan left San Antonio to attend Full Sail Film School in Orlando, Florida. Upon graduating honors with a degree in Motion Picture Production, he relocated to Austin, Texas. In 2003 Bryan began editing for documentary legend Hector Galan as well as many other post houses, building a strong reputation as a talented Storyteller and Editor. After finding success editing documentaries, Bryan moved back to San Antonio to pursue a career in producing and directing. He spent nearly two years producing promotional pieces for KSAT 12 a local ABC affiliate, where he began to learn the ins and outs of the television business. Currently, Bryan’s spending most his time directing and editing Commercials and Music Videos, as well as Reality Television Pilots for several Major Networks. www.irezproductions.com
About Producer/Actor Douglas Spain:
As an actor he captured critical praise and a 1998 Independent Spirit Award nomination for his feature film debut in Fox Searchlight’s Star Maps. He’s best known as Pvt. Tony Garcia in HBO’s Band of Brothers. In his extensive career he has worked alongside an array of talented directors and actors such as Steven Spielberg, William Friedkin, Tom Hanks, Albert Finney, Kate Hudson, Ossie Davis, Edward James Olmos, Miguel Arteta, Garry Marshall, Ben Stiller, Sally Field and the great Jack Lemmon to name a few.
Spain made the appropriate transition behind the camera to produce and direct short films, two of which had a successful festival run; his directorial debut Charity premiered at Method Fest. His sophomore short film Online premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival in Canada with its US premiere at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). His other short films have won various competitions and three in particular were licensed to Mini Movie Channel for distribution. www.douglasspain.com
The Hispanicize 2013 Film Festival is directed by Morales, who returns to that role with an influential national film committee comprised of Bel Hernandez, CEO of Latin Heat Media and co-founder of the Hispanicize 2013 Film Festival; Calixto Chinchilla, Executive Director of the New York International Latino Film Festival; Jaie Laplante, Executive Director of the Miami International Film Festival; Adam Schlachter, award-winning writer, director, producer; Ivette Rodriguez, CEO of American Entertainment Marketing; Anu Gunn, award-winning cinematographer, actor and musician; Hugo Perez, award winning producer and Director of Hispanic Marketing for The Zocalo Group, and Monica Taher, Business Development Director Getty Images Hispanic and Getty Images Latin America.
The Hispanicize 2013 Film Festival will award the following prizes to the winning film:
Hispanicize Feature Film Jury Prize: $1,000 (This is in addition to a $500 maximum reimbursement for airfare and an additional $500 toward room and board for the winner).
Hispanicize Short Film Jury Prize: $500 (This is in addition to a $500 maximum reimbursement for airfare and an additional $500 toward room and board for the winner).
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