Omni Cultural TV Fest is a 5-Star television and film festival that merges diverse independent producers with buyers and distributors of content to showcase their ideas for television and Over-The-Top (OTT) distribution. The festival is a celebration of diversity founded in 2019 by actress, comedian and producer Kiki Melendez (Hot Tamales Live!, Journey of a Female Comic) and Emmy-winning producer Cindy Cowan (Dr. T & The Women)

Omni Cultural TV Fest in partnership with NATPE announces its honorees for this year’s all-day festival on Streamworld’s metaverse on June 9, 2022.  www.omniculturaltvfest.com

The main event gives content creators the access and ability to pitch to more than 16 networks and streamers, Kontakto Management and Star Search. Attendees will also enjoy top industry panels, get access to screen this year’s selections, award show and VIP after party via avatar. 

Omni Cultural TV Fest 2022 honorees will be recognized for their outstanding work on television and film. These include:  Kuno Becker (From Prada to Nada) who will receive the International Icon Award, Rene Rosado (The Conners) will be recognized with The Pioneer Award, Jimmy Jean Louise (Tears of The Sun) will receive The Heroes Award, Ivette Nicole Brown (Community) will be acknowledged with Circle of Excellence Award, Nadine Velazquez (Queens, Flight) will receive The Superstar Award and Gersh Talent Agent Roy Ashton will receive The Visionary Award.

Actresses Zulay Henao (Takers) and Gabrielle Walsh (Paranormal Activity) will host the award night and will announce the best selection in 11 categories of television. 

“Omni Cultural TV Fest is the culmination of many years of visualizing, planning and making strong industry alliances all with the goal of helping filmmakers go to the next level. Omni Cultural TV Fest has surpassed our own expectations, it has filled up a huge information and access gap in our communities of color” said Kiki Melendez, Co-Founder of Omni Cultural TV Festival. 

“We are so excited to introduce you to our honorees and once again bring Omni Cultural Fest to wonderful creators who might not have a way to get in front of the industries’ biggest professionals” added Cindy Cowan. 

Attendees will be able to sign up now and enter the metaverse at Streamworld to build their own avatar and be ready for the main event on June 9th.

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Omni Cultural TV Fest was created and co-founded by Actress/Producer Kiki Melendez and co-founded award-winning Executive Producer Cindy Cowan. Its launch in 2019 drew over 3,800 filmmakers and executives to the Egyptian Theater. 

Content buyers participating this year include:

A&E Networks, TLC Networks, Roundtable Entertainment, Shorts TV, Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios, John Legend’s Get Gifted Film Company, Cactus Tree Entertainment, The Cartel, The Format People, Industry Media, Scott Sternberg productions, Canela Media, Culture Creative, Maverick Entertainment, and Liverpool West Productions.

In order to participants to enable the participants to prepare to pitch, Omni Cultural TV Fest will provide mandates ahead of time so that participants know what companies seek in regards to genre, format and target demos. OCTVF will also offer Pitch Etiquette (how to pitch) for participants to learn the do’s and don’ts needed to put their best pitch forward.

Participants will choose who they pitch to based on the companies’ mandates. On event day, they will have an allotted time to pitch their projects directly to the companies they selected. Scripted, Non-Scripted, Talk, Comedy Specials, Documentaries, Shorts and Movies of all genres are welcomed. Creators must sign up before the May 19^th Deadline.

“OCTVF is a labor of love from the staff and partners involved. Our goal is to positively impact the entertainment industry, making it more inclusive, and we have countless success stories to prove this multicultural international platform is working!” said creator and co-founder Melendez.

In celebration of its 3rd year, OCTVF and NATPE will be honoring the Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges, the Advisory Board and the 2022 festival selections by holding two live events. The first on April 6th at Allure Banquet in Los Angeles and the other in New York City on Thursday, April 21st at 44 Lounge on Broadway. For a complete list of honorees go to www.Omniculturaltvfest.com

“It is an incredibly exciting time to be an indie content creator! We are grateful for the participation and support of these renowned companies towards our growing global independent content community,” stated Jenean Atwood Baynes, the Festival and Programming Director.

Creators and Independent producers can register for Pitch it! starting June 9th. Click on Link. here: 

The deadline to register is May 19th 2022

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Latin Heat Media Services

Omni Cultural TV Fest (OCTVF) in partnership with NATPE launches its second annual television festival showcasing more than 60 selections of thousands received from diverse content creators worldwide. The Omni Cultural TV Fest, all-day event on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, is a unique platform for independent producers of all cultures worldwide to showcase new ideas for television and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, offering content creators the opportunity of presenting their original work in front of legitimate buyers.

OCTVF co-founders Kiki Melendez and Cindy Cowan pivoted to online as production and special events came to an abrupt halt this year due to COVID-19. The innovative OCTF team found a way to execute this year’s festival using an interactive and animated virtual platform The Omni Cultural TV Fest is designed to connect independent producers, creators, and talent through innovative networking activities and panels and the screening of their projects to content buyers.

This year’s OCTVF will build on the success of the 2019 inaugural event at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood which attracted over 2K attendees. For this year’s edition, Omni Cultural TV Fest has joined forces with Southern California’s nonprofit organization S.T.R.E.A.M. Global Innovations, creators of the “virtual world” platform that will allow content to be streamed live offering interactive access to all festival guests. 

Last year’s OCTVF festival was instrumental in getting five projects distributed through ShortsTV,  a distribution deal for our comedy special winner from Comedy Dynamics, a movie deal with  Maverick Entertainment, and pitch meetings with GRB, Disney, and All 3 Media, and requests to view participants’ content from prominent networks and studios.

Attendees will participate in the 2020 Omni Cultural TV Fest from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Using their computer or smart device, they will create their avatar to “walk” through the sponsor expo, attend panel discussions and screenings and award shows, and even dance at the after party. Guests will be able to ask questions, talk to one another, set up private meetings and networking as if they were at the live festival. They will also get the latest intel on technology and production trends.

“We are excited to partner with S.T.R.E.A.M. Global on this year’s festival. First, we are supporting a nonprofit that promotes youth empowerment in technology, and second, we are offering our attendees a superior networking experience,” said Melendez, Omni Cultural TV Founder and CEO of Latin Hollywood Films. 

“I am so eager to execute this year’s Omni Cultural TV Fest! Our selections are superb, and we are doing something completely unique and positive for our creative community around the world. This will be a must-attend event,” said Festival Director and CEO of Anannke Entertainment, Elvia Barboa.

This year’s panels will be programmed by veteran executive Jenean Atwood Baynes and will include: Writing for Television, Perfecting the Pitch, Directing, New Media, Worldwide Distribution, Capturing the Latino Market, Surviving COVID in Hollywood and Celebrating Diversity with today’s top entertainment movers, shakers and change agents. The line-up is impressive with professionals from the industry’s ecosystem participating on panels and some serving as judges on our Blue-Ribbon panel.

 “We have been showcasing vetted producers with show teasers through our Omni Cultural TV Fest Virtual Pre-Shows all summer, now it is time for the world to see their work,” said festival Co-Founder Cindy Cowan.

For tickets go to: www.OmniCulturalTvFest.com  or at Eventbrite.

OCTVF has received support from Nickelodeon, Viacom, A&E, Lifetime, The History Channel, The Nacelle Company, CBS Diversity, NBC/Telemundo, Spectrum TV1, WIF, NYWIFT, Greenlight Women, HRTS and Vimeo.

YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLHvz5-XcDZkL1etwIH7vBQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OmniCulturalTVFestLA/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omniculturaltv   

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Los Angeles, CA – Omni Cultural TV Fest (“Omni”) in partnership with the National Association of Television Program Executives (”NATPE”) was slated to present its Second Annual Festival on June 14, 2020 at the Directors Guild of America when, like many other festivals, it was placed on hold until next year due to the current pandemic. However they have pivoted to virtual programming to continue supporting independent filmmakers.

The have turned their attention to streaming media to showcase 60 of the hundreds of submissions they received for the Omni Festival to showcase. The participating filmmakers who have worked  to bring their projects to life will now get a chance to promote their projects in the Virtual Pre-Show.  It will be comprised of seven (7-10) minute webisodes in the form of one-on-one interviews with the filmmakers with the screening of taped promo footage submitted by the film makers.

The Omni Virtual Pre-Show will air on Thursdays starting June 11th, 2020 at 4pm PST on Omni’s YOUTUBE Channel and on their social media platforms, and also including Omni’s own website.

The Kick-Off Lineup includes: 

June 11, 2020 – “Ever After” by Anita and Bonnie /The Pointer Sisters (Documentary) 

June 18, 2020 – “Rosie” by Destry Allen Spielberg (Short Film)

July 25, 2020 – Isaac Fuentes has 4 submissions accepted. His Idol Emilio Rivera surprises him!

July 2, 2020 – “Pregnish and IVF Journey” by Actor Yancy Arias and Anna Arias (Unscripted)

Celebrity guests will participate throughout the pre-show to inspire the emerging filmmakers. 

In 2019, Omni was successful in showcasing emerging producers and eliminated the gap between multi-cultural talent and legitimate content buyers. Omni set up countless pitch meetings and 8 projects received worldwide distribution. The attending networks, studios, distributors, and digital platforms have been incredibly supportive of this celebration of diversity and inclusion.

“During the shelter-at home we can reinvent ourselves and keep reaching for our goals. We need to be ready and able to come out and move forward” said Co-Founder Cindy Cowan. “This is our way of getting our filmmakers to showcase their work and receive the exposure, recognition and opportunities to sell their projects” said Kiki Melendez, OCTVF founder.

The stage is ready for the next Omni Cultural Tv Fest and it has already received hundreds of submissions through Film Freeway. Submission remains open so more film makers can participate.

Executive Producer – Marco Gomez

Producers: Gian Shine, Anthony Vega, Rama Kingston

Director: Elvia Barboa
Strategic Partnerships available through Nancy Santiago at Nancy@Omniculturaltv.com

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After selling her stake in IEG, Cowan started Cindy Cowan Entertainment where she has produced Scorched, Fifty Dead Men Walking, and Red Lights starring Robert DeNiro and Sigourney Weaver.   Recently she optioned Edwin F. Becker’s book True Haunting about NBC’s 1971 televised exorcism, which she will produce for Screen Gems along with Steve Bersch and Scott Strauss.  She is also working on the upcoming film Arkansas which stars Vince Vaughn and Liam Hemsworth.

With an incredible film production resume, Cowan is now entering the TV arena, partnering with one of TV’s most prolific producer of hit TV shows, among them Jane the Virgin, and Charmed. “ Most of my work is in film…but I am getting into TV,” she confirmed.  “I Just partnered with Ben Silverman and we have a couple of huge TV projects that I cannot announce yet.”

Transitioning into TV is a natural for Cowan, however, she realizes the difficulty for many indie producers to break into the business. So when Kiki Melendez of Latin Hollywood Films approached her about joining her in co-founding the Omni Cultural TV Fest it was an easy decision. Both women are joined by Sarkis Semerjyan also a Co-Founder of the Fest.

The Omni Cultural TV Fest is a one of a kind opportunity for independent content creators to showcase their ideas for television, cable, and Over-The-Top (OTT) distribution. A panel of judges comprised of industry professionals have had the hard taske of selecting projects ranging from TV series dramas, comedy, animation, reality, webseries and talk shows to screen at the Egyptian theater on May 1st.  

As busy as Cowan is with her producing she is making time to launch this TV festival in a major way.  She recognizes the importance of looking at content from diverse communities and working with Melendez to do so. “Kiki is a force to be reckoned. I met her during the Hot Tamales Days [a comedy show created by Melendez],” she explained. “She would come in to pitch her different projects. She has been a friend for 20 years…and although I liked her ideas,  I think this is the best idea she has had in 20 years.”

Beside the “Kiki factor” Cowan believes it’s the time for this TV fest to happen.  “It’s amazing, there are a lot of film festivals, but not many TV festivals and the ones there are, are all for finished projects.”  

Omni Cultural TV Fest is an idea which has resonated with established industry organizations in Hollywood whose business is the promotion and sales of syndicated TV content.  The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) is a co-presenter of the Festival, as well as Women in Film.  The good news for the indie projects, selected from the hundreds of submission, is that studio and TV network, cablers and OTT executives will have an opportunity to watch their shows at the fest, content they otherwise might never see.

Cowan believes the TV and film landscape is changing and that the time is now for an event like the Omni Cultural TV Fest.  “There is now a huge demand in both tv and film for projects with diversity, with funding actually coming in quicker because of it,” Cowan explained. “The trend for females and people of color, across the board from directors, to writers, to talent, is there.  After the industry initially claimed that a film with black leads would not sell, there is now a mandate. Black Panther changed the whole landscape.

And that trend continues on TV.  Although, Jane the Virgin is going off the air after a five year run, executive producers Jennie Snyder Urman, star Gina Rodriguez, and exec producers Ben Silverman have already secured a pilot order for a spinoff called Jane The Telenovela;  And Jaime Camil who plays Jane’s father Rogelio is re-teaming with CBS for his own, as of yet untitled show, which he will star in and executive produce.

Diversity is the next big thing.  “Omni culture will be putting diverse content creators and their projects in front of the biggest TV executives,” Cowan confirmed.  “We will have Amazon, Netflix execs and others in the audience”. She also adds that her company will also be taking a serious look at the festival projects.

Omni Cultural TV Fest will make its debut on May 1st at the Egyptian Theater with a full day of panels featuring the content buyer and development executives, distribution and panel where content producers can pitch their project and of course the screening of all the projects selected. Also, panels that will teach you about storyboarding all the way to finish production and talent panels

In June, Cowan will receive The Hollywood Women’s Film Festiva’s Humanitarian Award which recognizes women pioneers in writing, directing and producing.  It alsoencompasses her philanthropy work which included her board position of of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free instruments and lessons to underserved public schools, and Children Mending Hearts, a dynamic arts-based enrichment education program that helps empower disadvantaged youth, building empathy and global citizenry.

Cowan’s career has always been propelled by doing the right thing. Early l on in her career she quit her job as a producer at a TV station when they wanted her to place hidden cameras to capture a father of a decapitated boy who refused to do an on-camera interview. Then there was a time when while working as the executive on a movie, she uncovered a million dollars was missing. She reported to the bond company and was still able to deliver the picture and on budget. Both these incidents changed the course of her career or served to enhance her work as a producer.

Now, as a co-founder of the Omni Cultural TV Fest, she is once again on the right side, providing an opportunity to other producers to propel their careers.

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