LPB Newly Funded Projects Bring Stories Reflecting the Rich Diversity of the Latinx Experience1/31/2021
Awards Go to 14 Film and Digital Media Projects that Tell Powerful, Up-to-the-Minute Stories Reflecting the Rich Diversity of the Latinx ExperienceThis year’s awardees tell particularly timely stories. From North Carolina to Texas to California and from Puerto Rico to Mexico to Venezuela, these stories reflect the enormous impact that the past year has had on the Latino community. From the COVID-19 pandemic to a renewed focus on the devastation wrought by poverty and inequality, these films offer an on-the-ground look at the diversity of experience of Latinos here and abroad. “In a year when the concept of ‘home’ has had more resonance than ever, one of the themes that unites these projects is an exploration of the yearning for home, whether it’s the immigrant’s complex connection to their native land (Lo Que Dejamos Atras, Los Desobedientes, Traces of Home) or the struggle of a community fighting to stand its ground in the midst of change (Bartolo, Slumlord Millionaire),” says LPB Executive Director Sandie Viquez Pedlow. “This year’s projects tell stories that explore complex and timely issues through a moving, personal lens.” More digital projects were funded during this cycle than ever before in an effort to continue nurturing emerging filmmakers, many of whom have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. Says Pedlow, “We wanted to keep fueling the creativity of all Latino makers and enable them to create in a variety of formats, especially in a year where much of traditional filmmaking was shut down. We’re proud to support all of our passionate mediamakers and look forward to bringing their work to a wide audience on PBS’s broadcast and digital platforms.”
Awarded Projects:Bartolo Director/Producer: Leandro Fabrizi Rios Producer: Neyda Martínez Funding: Current Issues Fund Tucked into the rural coffee-growing mountainside of remote western Puerto Rico is a tiny hamlet, Bartolo. It is home to an isolated agricultural community of just 12 families, landless and chronically impoverished, and longing for a new start following Hurricane Maria. The community seizes on a chance for a new beginning when a veteran organizer from outside of Bartolo comes to town with a radical new plan. Niños de Las Brisas (Children of Las Brisas) Director/Producer: Marianela Maldonado Funding: Current Issues Fund In Venezuela's deadly Las Brisas district, three talented young musicians living amid poverty, crime and political turmoil, find hope for a better future in a local youth orchestra. Shot over eight years, the film follows the trio from childhood to young adulthood, as they pursue their dream of becoming professional musicians against seemingly overwhelming odds. Slumlord Millionaire Directors/Producers: Ellen Martinez, Steph Ching Funding: Current Issues Fund Today, seven Manhattan and Brooklyn zip codes are among the 20 most gentrified neighborhoods in the United States and New York City rents have gone up an average of 31% in the past eight years. Many landlords are eager to get rid of long-term tenants and use various tactics, including cutting off heat and gas, refusing to make repairs and ignoring vermin infestations. This documentary profiles a group of determined residents and dedicated nonprofit attorneys fighting corrupt landlords for the fundamental human right to a home, more critical than ever during a deadly pandemic. Lo Que Dejamos Atras (What We Leave Behind) Director/Producer: Iliana Sosa Funding: Public Media Content Fund For as long as she can remember, filmmaker Sosa’s grandfather Julián has traveled from his home in Durango, Mexico, to El Paso once a month to visit her and her mother. Now 89 and unable to make the journey, he begins building a new house in his rural Mexican hometown, where he lives with his blind son Jorge. The film follows Julián in the twilight of his life, as his granddaughter pieces together how their family has built and rebuilt home over decades of separation. Los Desobedientes Director/Producer: Rodrigo Dorfman Funding: Public Media Content Fund After 20 years of living in the U.S., an undocumented family decides to return home. Little do they know it will be the most difficult journey of their lives. Set between the rodeo rings of eastern North Carolina and the spellbinding Mexican hometown they long for, Los Desobedientes (The Disobedient Ones) is a story of reverse migration, rebellion and redemption. Silent Beauty Director/Producer: Jasmin Mara López Funding: Public Media Content Fund Silent Beauty is a moving autobiographical exploration of the filmmaker’s history with child sexual abuse, the culture of silence, and journey of healing as her public acknowledgment of the abuse helps her connect with her family over their shared trauma. Traces of Home Director/Producer: Colette Ghunim Funding: Public Media Content Fund In an attempt to discover her roots, filmmaker Colette Ghunim embarks on a journey with her parents to find their ancestral homes in Mexico and Palestine after being forced to leave decades ago. While navigating physical borders in both lands, her family’s internal barriers break down, exposing the traumas that forced them to leave and continue to challenge dynamics together. Exodus Stories: Voices from the Caravan Director/Producer: Ilse Fernandez Funding: Public Media Content Fund Escape, journey, hope. A dangerous 2,600-mile mass exodus to a promised land where a border separates a Central American nightmare from the American dream. Through intimate access, this powerful documentary follows three immigrants fleeing threats and violence as they journey on the Migrant Caravan through Mexico to an uncertain wait at the U.S. border to seek refuge. Amid anti-immigrant rhetoric, each must face their most decisive battle yet: staking their claim for asylum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paquito D’Rivera: From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall Director/Producer: Juan Mandelbaum Funding: Public Media Content Fund Research and Development for the story of jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera’s extraordinary journey from child prodigy in Havana, Cuba to 14-time Grammy winner international music artist and composer.  Digital Media El Paisa Director/Producer: Daniel Eduvijes Carrera/Co-producer: Jana Diaz-Juhl Funding: Public Media Content Fund This short narrative comedy follows Queer skater punk Fernando, who undergoes an empowering transformation after his encounter with a charming vaquero on the streets of East Los Angeles. Mi Casa Director/Producer: Esau Melendez Producer: Mario Contreras Funding: Public Media Content Fund Descendants of the first Mexican immigrants in Aurora, Illinois, who came in the early 20th century to build new lives as railroad workers in nearby Chicago, recall their family stories about the boxcar communities in which they lived and thrived. My Queerceañera Director/Producer: Marcos Nieves Funding: Public Media Content Fund Upon turning 50 years old, Karyna, a transgender immigrant from Mexico living in Arizona, is determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of celebrating her Quinceañera even if her family and society do not fully accept her. The Next Message Directors/Producers: Jennifer Maytorena Taylor, Mustafa Davis Funding: Public Media Content Fund Set during the ongoing pandemics of COVID-19 and police violence, The Next Message explores the complex and compelling unfolding story of the Latinx/African American Abdul-Shakur family, featured in the 2017 PBS special The Talk. Four years later, the family cares for their loved ones and their larger communities in a time of unprecedented crises and opportunities for change. When It's Good, It's Good Director/Producer: Alejandra Vasquez Funding: Public Media Content Fund Filmed over four years and two election cycles, the film offers an insider’s look at the filmmaker’s hometown of Denver City, Texas, a rural West Texas town struggling to survive through the boom-and-bust cycle of the oil industry.
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 It's a new era. With film release delays and more cinematic content via streaming, theaters have become our living rooms - at least for now. While the fresh smell movie popcorn is difficult to replicate, Netflix has us covered with a new film release every week. This new year, 2021 we can rely on a sit back and enjoy a new movie weekly. Feel free to plan ahead with this Netflix film preview. by IC mag Editors
A sleek new thrilling horror film, Dreamcatcher is coming. Written and directed by Jacob Johnston, the film stars Nikki Coss (TV's Famous In Love), Zachary Gordon (Diary Of A Wimpy Kid), Travis Burns (TV's Neighbours), Blaine Kern III (The Perfect Date), Olivia Sui (SMOSH), Elizabeth Posey (Starz Network's Heels), Emrhys Cooper, Ben J. Pierce, Al Calderon, Eva Shaw, Nazanin Mandi with Adrienne Wilkinson and Lou Ferrigno Jr. (S.W.A.T.). The film was produced by Krystal Vayda and Brandon Vayda, under their new banner Quarzo Studios and Executive Produced by Jacques Kurdian, alongside Jack Sheenan, Scott Martin and Michael Silfkin at Archstone Ent.
"The idea behind Dreamcatcher was to design a film that brings back the whodunnit, the empty house scare and the backyard fright all wrapped up in an original screenplay that's set to entertain a young modern viewer. Distribution with the legendary Goldwyn name allows for this timeless classic to reach audiences globally and to capture market share in our YA demographic" said Vayda. Distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, Dreamcatcher has ranked in the Top 20 movies to stream this winter by Newsday and USA Today. Watch Dreamcatcher On-Demand & Digital March 2021.
Vayda launched Quarzo Studios in 2018 in partnership with her brother Brandon, also an actor and dynamic producer. The company focuses on multi-genre high-brow, character driven projects geared towards young adults. Awards and career milestones include Best Youth Artist, The American Legion Hall (Rotary Club International) & The Girl in the Photographs Official Selection, Toronto International Film Festival's Midnight Madness (2015), Best Supporting Actress, Chelsea Film Festival (2016) and Gold Award, WorldFest Houston (2010). A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Vayda is represented by Corner Booth Entertainment, Cohen & Gardner Law and Espada PR.
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 The worldwide phenomenon, Lupin will return this summer for Part 2. Led by Omar Sy, the series has been Number 1 in Netflix’s Top 10 across more than ten countries. The 5 new episodes are directed by Ludovic Bernard (The Climb) and Hugo Gélin (Love at second sight). Lupin was created by George Kay in collaboration with François Uzan and produced by Gaumont Télévision (Isabelle Degeorges, Nathan Franck). Starring Omar Sy, Hervé Pierre, Nicole Garcia, Clotilde Hesme, Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Shirine Boutella, and Soufiane Guerrab, the series was directed by Ludovic Bernard (episodes 6 &7), Hugo Gélin (episodes 8,9 & 10).  About Gaumont: Formed in France in 1895, Gaumont is the oldest film company in the world, with offices in Paris, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, and Buenos Aires. Gaumont produces and distributes high-quality TV programming worldwide such as the award-winning series Narcos in its 5th season, and F is for Family in its 4th season for Netflix; the German show The Barbarians for Netflix; the 3rd season of the British show Tin Star for Sky and Amazon Prime Video; the French show The Art of Crime in its 4th season for France 2; and the animated show Do Re & Mi with Kristen Bell, for Amazon Prime Video. Gaumont co-produces and distributes around ten films a year in theaters, and the film library encompasses over 1400 titles from prestigious directors such as Louis Malle, Jean-Luc Godard, and more recently, Toledano and Nakache for The Intouchables, the highest-grossing French-language movie ever with over $450 million in revenue to date. About Netflix: Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 204 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. by IC mag Editors
A plant-based lifestyle becomes easier and more available everyday. With its undeniable benefits for both our health and animal welfare, it's a no brainer to join in on the plant-based lifestyle. Recently, Callisto Media announced the release of their new title, The 30-Day Vegan Meal Plan for Beginners by celebrity Chef Eddie Garza. With 100 delicious recipes, this book invites everyone to experience the world of plant-based cuisine. Suitable for beginner cooks and kitchen experts alike, this new cookbook brings a variety of both savory and sweet vegan recipes to the world.
The 30-Day Vegan Meal Plan for Beginners will tell readers what a vegan diet is as well as its health benefits. From delectable and easy breakfasts to salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, snacks all the way through to fabulous desserts, this book is for everyone. Actress and activist, Kate Mara said, “Eddie Garza’s The 30-Day Vegan Meal Plan for Beginners is a fabulous resource for anyone seeking to fight climate change with diet change.”
Eddie has cooked for a host of plant-powered stars in the television, film and music industries, including television host and model Daisy Fuentes, singer-songwriters Richard Marx and Rob Thomas, Latin American television personalities Marco Antonio Regil, Ximena Córdoba, and Catalina Robayo, and actors Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Cybill Shepherd, Maria Conchita Alonso, Daniella Monet, and Harley Quinn Smith, among others. Eddie is a sought-after speaker, culinary coach, and thought leader on issues related to Latinx health. He has lectured extensively and presented at top universities, culinary schools, and major conferences in the United States and Latin America. These include SXSW in Austin, Expo en Verde Ser in Mexico City, and the Nexus Summit in Washington, DC. The 30-Day Vegan Meal Plan for Beginners is now available for pre-orders and will be officially available on February 9, 2021 on Amazon and at all major booksellers. ABOUT CALLISTO MEDIA With deep roots in technology, Callisto Media harnesses the power of data to create unparalleled insights into consumer demand and content. Callisto Media has an extensive portfolio of books in cooking, specialty diet, health and wellness, mind, body and spirit, parenting, kid’s books, business, and more. by IC mag Editors
In Los Angeles during the 1960s, a trailblazing group of nuns, The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, bravely stood up to the patriarchy of the Catholic Church, fighting for equality, their livelihoods, and their own freedom against an all-powerful Cardinal who sought to keep them in their place. Their bold acts of faith, defiance and activism turned the Church upside down, helping to reshape our society in ways that continue to resonate today. Rebel Hearts, an official 2021 Sundance Selection, tells their story in this documentary.  From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they challenged the notion of what a nun and a woman were supposed to be. These unlikely resistance fighters, including Anita Caspary, Helen Kelley, Pat Reif and iconic pop artist Corita Kent, were devoted to a life of service, not only to others but to themselves - forming a community that empowered each sister to live up to her fullest potential. Their desire to bring the church into modern life was met with forceful opposition at every turn. As each of them discovered their own talents and voices, they fully stepped into their roles as leaders in a movement that is still making waves. In the feature documentary Rebel Hearts, director Pedro Kos (image below) combines incredible archival footage, stunning animation and two decades of interviews gathered by the film’s producer Shawnee Isaac-Smith, to beautifully illuminate the story of these incredible women.  Kos explains, "The film is about a rebellion and the birth of a movement. Rebel Hearts is the extraordinary story of a group of highly educated, wildly creative, social justice-minded Catholic nuns in 1960s Los Angeles who bravely stood up to the oppressive patriarchy of the Catholic Church... We are so excited and honored to bring it to audiences here at Sundance." Rebel Hearts is an official 2021 Sundance Selection. To learn more, follow this link. By IC mag Editors
 A new dark comedy lands on Netflix and we've got the details. Written and directed by J Blakeson, I Care A Lot tells the story of a court-appointed legal guardian who drains the savings of her elderly clients. But her latest mark comes with unexpected baggage. Here's the full synopsis.
But when their mark turns out to have an equally shady secret of her own and connections to a volatile gangster (Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage), Marla is forced to level up in a game only predators can play — one that’s neither fair, nor square. Starring Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Chris Messina, Macon Blair, Alicia Witt, Damian Young, with Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Dianne Wiest, the film is executive produced by Andrea Ajemian and Sacha Guttenstein. Producers include Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a., Ben Stillman, Michael Heimler, p.g.a., and J Blakeson, p.g.a.. I Care A Lot premieres February 19, 2021. For more, visit www.netflix.com/icarealot. #ICareALot  Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice. The two-part coming-of-age drama Selena: The Series explores the once-in-a-generation performer's journey as a young artist, from singing small gigs in Corpus Christi with her family to becoming one of the most successful Latin artists of all time — and the years of grit and sacrifice the Quintanilla family navigated together before Selena's meteoric rise to fame. In the first four weeks after it premiered in December 2020, 25 million households around the world sang Como la Flor.  The series reached the Top 10 list in 23 countries - including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Peru - and spent 26 consecutive days on the Top 10 list in Mexico. Half of the fans came from the U.S., where it spent its first week in the #1 spot on the Top 10 list.
The final part of the two-part series will conclude in nine episodes. Selena: The Series will return on May 14, 2021. by IC mag Editors
 A new comedy-adventure is coming to Disney+, Flora & Ulysses. The film is based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers, which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora's life--and her outlook--forever.
Based on the novel Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, the film's screenplay is by Brad Copeland. Katterli Frauenfelder and James Powers served as executive producers. Flora & Ulysses premiers exclusively on Disney+ Friday, February 19, 2021. by IC mag Editors
 The romantic comedy and unforgettable story, To All The Boys: Always and Forever sets up for its global premiere next month. Just in time for Valentine's Day, the film arrives on February 12. In case you need a quick summary, here's the official synopsis.
Mark your calendars for Valentine's weekend when To All The Boys: Always and Forever closes its final chapter, only on Netflix. Learn more at www.netflix.com/toalltheboysalwaysandforever. by IC mag Editors
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