“Arrive at the Gates” Column By Judi Jordan for Latin Heat
Inclusive Excellence. The IMAGEN Awards are a four-decade-long Latino awards tradition. transcending borders to honor excellence in entertainment both in English and Spanish. They are a bridge that reaches across the cultural board of Chicano, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Venezuelan, Dominican, Chilean, Colombian, Spanish, Brazilian, Argentine…and those who collaborate creatively with the Latino community.
Twenty-seven categories embrace the creative contributions of the individuals whose extraordinary work alternately brings joy, understanding, hilarity, clarity, and hope to audiences of all ages.
The Imagen Foundation’s beginning dates back to a 1983 meeting between Television Producer Norman Lear and Helen Hernandez, Vice President of Public Affairs for his company, Embassy Communications. Out of this meeting emerged the Imagen Awards competition, which aimed at recognizing and celebrating the positive portrayals of Latinos in film and television.
“As we celebrate 40 years of the Imagen Awards, I am filled with pride for how far we’ve come in elevating Latino voices in Hollywood, Hernandez said. “What began as a vision to create greater opportunity and representation has become a steadfast movement that continues to showcase the extraordinary talent and cultural richness of our creative community.”
The complete list of Honorees and Winners is as follows: Gustavo Dudamel [Presidents’ Award, Dailyn Rodriguez [Norman Lear Writer’s Award] top acting honors went to: John Leguizamo, Barbie Ferreira, Sofia Carson, Benjamín Bratt, Sasha Calle, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Gabriel Luna, Rafael Cebrián, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Camila Perez, London Garcia, Liza Colón-Zayas, Brice Gonzalez, Natalia del Riego, Danny Trejo. Directors Alonso Ruizpalacios, Andor and Fede Álvarez Alien: Romulus. Composers Gustavo Santaolalla, Javier Nuño & Joe Rodríguez.
Winning Shows: The Last of Us, Land of Women tied with Y Llegaron de Noche, Documentary Voces: American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos, Dora won for Animation. Best Documentary Las Amazonas de Yaxunah (ESPN) Best Informational Program ABC News Studios – “Latinos in Hollywood: Owning Our Destiny” (ABC News; ABC News Studios) Short Film Remember Us.
The Imagen Awards are scheduled to air on PBS during Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. (PST). Check your local listings.
*Interviews with Nominees and Guests to Follow. LINKS: Full list of nominees: Imagen Awards Nominees 2025; More information: imagen.org; Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @imagenfoundation
