The 3rd Annual Mexican Film & Television Festival (MAFTF) is doing something that is long overdue “Celebrating the Mexican-Amerian/Chicana Filmmaker”. The celebration will be the culmination of their two day film festival that which takes place on Saturday 20 and the 21 at Harmony Gold in Hollywood with the Illustrious Awards closing the festival the evening of April 21.

“Mexican-American woman have always been in the forefront of the progress of our community, including film,” said Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz, President of the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation, the entity that produces the MAFTF.  “I felt it was time to thank and recognize this effort”.

Noted filmmaker Lourdes Portillo, a documentarian originally form Chihuahua, Mexico is epitome of the Chicana Filmmaker.  Although her first films were focused on the experience of a Nicaraguan refugee of the 1972 Managua earthquake and the  Argentinian story of The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, her work has been dedicated to documenting the stories of the Chicano/Mexican-American experience. Her projects have won Oscar and Emmy nominations and Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival among other accolades.  A true pioneer in filmmaking and someone whose work cannot be forgotten for lack of attention.

Not many film festival dedicate space to Chicano filmmakers. The two that come to mind are the Chicano International Film Festival which has been around for 20 years in Los Angeles and the Xicano Independent Filmmakers Festival in Denver. However, neither have dedicated a whole festival to the Mexican-American filmmakers and in particular Chicana filmmakers.

Indeed, MAFTF decided it was time to shine a bright light on Mexican-American filmmakers and the stories they tell, to document their excellence and inform and showcase their work that will live on through generations.

It was with this in mind that MAFTF selected their 2024 Mexican-American/Chicana filmmaker honorees to recognize their artistry with the Illustrious Award. The Honorees are, Academy Award winning producer Yvette Merino for her work as a producer for Disney’s  hit film Encanto, Patricia Riggen (Miracles From Heaven, Under the Same Moon)who started her career by winning a student Academy Award, has two major box office hit movies and just wrapped her  film G20 in South Africa. Real Women Have Curves playwright and screenwriter Josefina Lopez, whose play is on the way to Broadway as I write this.  Esperanza Esparza will receive the Pioneer award in recognition of her film work in the 70’s, and Academy Award nominated short documentary, Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our Country.  The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Bel Hernandez Castillo (Latin Heat Magazine) for providing media coverage and documenting the expansion of Latinos in Hollywood for over 30 years.

Looking towards the future, there is a wave of upcoming Latina storytellers, directors, producers and writers.  One of those new directors is Academy Award nominee America Ferrera who is currently in pre-production to direct her first film, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.  Eva Longoria’s first time out directing resulted in last year’s hit film Flamin’ Hot.  Gigi Saul Guerrero another Mexican American via Canada, is fast becoming a talent in the horror genre.  Selected as a filmmaker to watch by Variety Magazine, she directed the film Bingo Hell and various episodes of TV shows The Purge and Into the Dark. Linda Yvette Chavez’s writing career is on the fast track.  Having co-written and produced the hit TV show Gentefied, she then went on to co-write the hit film Flamin’ Hot and just finished penning Ferrera’s directorial film.

The group of Latina filmmakers continues to grow and this year, over a dozen Latina directors, producers, writers whose projects are screening at this year at MAFTF.  Among them, we are sure, are the filmmaking start of tomorrow.

MAFTF’s celebration of the Chicana/Mexican-American filmmaker, was long overdue.  It’s an exciting time for women filmmakers, Latina filmmakers, Chicana/Mexican-American filmmakers…!Que Viva La Mujer! 

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The acclaimed Mexican director and producer Patricia Riggen has a body of work as a director and producer that is enviable. This year the Imagen Awards have nominated Riggen for the 38th Annual Imagen Award for Best Director – Television for her moving work on the critically acclaimed streaming series Little America on Apple TV. The Imagen Award will take place in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 3rd at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. This is Riggen’s 4th Imagen Award nomination for a Best Director and has previously won for the feature films Under the Same Moon (2008), Girl in Progress (2012), and The 33 (2016).

The Imagen Awards recognize excellence in Latine representation in the entertainment industry, and have chosen Riggen as a finalist in the Best Director category this year for her exceptional contributions in television. Little America has garnered widespread acclaim for its compelling storytelling that explores the diverse and inspiring stories of immigrants in the United States, offering a unique perspective on the American experience.

Riggen’s nomination is a testament to her talent and consistent dedication to bringing these powerful Latino/e/x narratives to the screen. She masterfully directed the 2nd season finale episode (episode 8) of the Apple TV produced series.

The Little America episode, entitled ‘The Indoor Arm’, tells the true story of Celia (played by Victoria Canal), an El Salvadorian arm amputee who struggles to adjust to her new life after immigrating to America to be with her sister Marianna (played by Teresa Ruiz). This very important episode shines a light on the struggles, triumphs and self-acceptance of an immigrant in the U.S who also deals with daily physical challenges. Both Latina actresses in this episode are also nominated for an Imagen Award. Actress Victoria Canal is nominated for Best Actress – Comedy (Television) in her first acting role ever and the wonderful Teresa Ruiz for Best Supporting Actress – Comedy (Television). The episode also features moving performances by Academy Award nominee June Squibb (Mrs. Danforth) and award-winning actor James Saito (Ray).

“I’m honored to have been nominated once again for an Imagen Award. The support and encouragement that Helen Hernandez and the Imagen Foundation has given me throughout my career is truly humbling. Filming this episode of the “Little America” series holds a very special place in my heart. Having the opportunity to tell a true story about the struggles immigrants in the U.S. have always faced but with the added element of showing the struggles and triumphs of individuals with different abilities was so important to me.  We rarely see stories like this on screen.” – shared Patricia Riggen.

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Riggen is no stranger to accolades, having previously received numerous awards for her work as a director and producer. Riggen gained widespread acclaim with her feature film La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon), which was acquired in an unprecedented sale by Fox Searchlight at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008 and became one of the first  Spanish-language box office sensations in the United States. Riggen’s remarkable career includes receiving a Student Academy Award for her short film, La Milpa (The Cornfield) and earning the Jury Prize at the Sundance for her documentary Family Portrait.

Her filmography includes the features Girl in Progress and the Disney Channel hit Lemonade Mouth, recognized with a DGA Award nomination. In 2015, Patricia helmed The 33, a film recounting the Chilean mining accident in 2010, followed by the successful Sony Pictures feature film Miracles from Heaven, which grossed over $73 million at the box office. Her versatility extends to directing both streaming and network episodic television, where she has excelled with series such as Amazon’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and most recently Hulu’s Dopesick. Currently, Riggen is working on her sixth feature film project, G20, an action-packed thriller featuring Oscar winner Viola Davis, scheduled for release in 2024.

For more information about Little America CLICK HERE.

For more information about the 38th Annual Imagen Awards: 

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The El Capitan Theatre is offering two fan event screenings for Disney Animation’s Newest Feature, Wish.

The Walt Disney Company marks 100 years of magical storytelling today, celebrating beloved characters, big-screen adventures, unforgettable experiences and the fans and storytellers who made it all possible. Inspired by Walt Disney’s musical legacy, Disney Animation’s Wish—in theaters Nov. 22—features an original story and characters, with seven original songs penned by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy®-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice. 

Beginning this week, Disney Music Group will present Wish Wednesdays which will consist of a new song from the movie debuting each Wednesday on YouTube, Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music and all digital service providers. Fans who can’t wait till Wednesday can tune in to SiriusXM’s Disney Hits Channel 302 Tuesdays for a first listen of each song.

Here is a samplye of This Wish, performed by Ariana DeBose as Asha, before the single’s launch on Oct. 18. Each week of the Wish Wednesdays rollout will feature never-before-seen content tied to a new song’s release, including footage reveals, lyric videos, original art and behind-the-scenes featurettes. 

The fan event screenings will take place at 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 21 and Wednesday, November 22, each with their own exclusive items included with a ticket.

• Attendees at the Tuesday Fan Event will receive one randomly selected Funko POP!, one Wish collectible popcorn Tin with popcorn, beverage and event credential with their ticket. Tickets are $50.
• Attendees at the Wednesday Fan Event will receive one Wish collectible popcorn tin with popcorn, one “This Wish” 10” Star Die-Cut Picture Disc provided by Disney Music Emporium, beverage and event credential with their ticket. Tickets are $60.

Daily showtimes for Wish November 22 – January 1 are 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:00pm and 9:55pm. Dates and showtimes are subject to change.
 
Guests are invited to arrive early to snap a picture at a themed photo op and purchase specialty concession items.
 
Tickets are on sale now at www.elcapitantickets.com and https://www.fandango.com/el-capitan-theatre-aacon/theater-page. All seats are reserved. Tickets for showtimes are $22 for adults and $18 for children and seniors.
 
Sensory Inclusive Screenings are available December 5 at 4:00pm and December 10 at 1:00pm. Open Caption screenings are available December 9 at 1:00pm and December 13 at 4:00pm. Spanish Dubbed screenings are available December 6 at 4:00pm and December 16 at 1:00pm.
 
The El Capitan Theatre has taken enhanced health and safety measures for its guests and cast members. All guests must follow posted instructions while visiting. For health and safety information including theatre policies and procedures visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/safetyinformation/
 

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See the Fiesta of Lights featuring music from the movie before each screening. Plus, see the Mariachi Divas and Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles Live on Stage as you enter the theatre.

The fan event screening will take place at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 15. Tickets are $50 and include a reserved seat, Light Up Coco Skull Sipper, popcorn, beverage, and event credentials. Daily showtimes for Coco from September 15 through October 1 are 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.

Tickets are on sale now at www.elcapitantickets.com and https://www.fandango.com/el-capitan-theatre-aacon/theater-page or by calling 1-800 Disney-6 (347-6396). All seats are reserved. Tickets are $18 for all ages.

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Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Rated PG.

 In Disney/Pixar’s vibrant tale of family, fun and adventure, aspiring young musician named Miguel embarks on an extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors. There, the charming trickster Hector, becomes an unexpected friend who helps Miguel uncover the mysteries behind his family’s stories and traditions. Rated PG.

 Tickets are on sale now to watch Disney and Pixar’s Coco September 9-12 and Disney’s Encanto September 16-22 presented by Disney+ at the El Capitan Theatre this September.
 
Before each showing of Coco, guests can see the Mariachi Divas, Ballet Folkórico De Los Ángeles and a Fiesta of Lights featuring music from the movie as they enter the theatre. Guests can also take photos at a Coco-themed photo op featuring a replica of Ernesto de la Cruz’s guitar.
 
Moviegoers can watch Mirabel live on stage before each showing of Encanto.
 
Showtimes for Coco and Encanto are 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:00pm daily. Showtimes are subject to change.
 
Tickets for Coco and Encanto are $16 for all ages. Tickets are on sale now at www.elcapitantickets.com and https://www.fandango.com/el-capitan-theatre-aacon/theater-page. All seats are reserved. For more information on tickets, call 1-800-Disney-6.
 
All guests must follow posted instructions while visiting. For health and safety information including theatre policies and procedures visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/safetyinformation/

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The upcoming 94th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony scheduled to air on ABCon March 27 could be a Starry, Starry Night for Latino Hollywood. This year saw an amazing array of Latino talent become strong contenders in several different competitive categories plus the emergence of one exceptionally bright star in the Latino Hollywood night sky. Here’s a look at the nominees, their categories, and their chances of taking home the coveted gold-plated statue.

Best Animated Feature

Two good to be true?  There are two excellent Disney Studio animated feature films up for Best Animated Feature with Latino talent: 

Encanto the Latino-themed story about the Columbian family, the Madrigals. Directed by Byron Howard  and Jared Bush who also shares the screenplay credit with Charise Castro Smith.  Yvette Merino is one of the producers and the music is by Germaine Franco.  

Raya and the Last Dragon is directed by Mexico City-born Carlos López Estrada along with Don Hall both nominated for Best Director.

There is frequently the possibility two Disney Studio nominees will cancel each other out. But these are two very different animated features with radically different approaches to animation.  Encanto uses a more traditional narrative animation style that is the hallmark of Disney animation. It’s nice to see the characters in Encanto are unmistakably and decidedly Latino. There are also several marvelous songs and musical segments in Encanto.

Raya and the Last Dragon, on the other hand, is strictly a fantasy narrative. The animation of the human characters in Raya and the Last Dragon is so life-like and realistic in their facial expressions you feel as though they could jump off the screen, sit next to you on the couch and enjoy the story with you. The so-called “last dragon”, voiced by that crazy, rich, funny Asian comic actress, Awkwafina, is an impish feathered serpent who appears to be half Big Bird and half Quetzalcoatl.

What Encanto and Raya and the Last Dragon have in common are two strong female lead characters and stories with underlying messages of hope, detterminationand the triumph of the human spirit.

Best Song

Is there anything this guy can’t do? The multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda gets a richly deserved Oscar nomination for the Encanto song “Dos Oruguitas”. It boggles the mind to ponder what this actor, producer and musical theater genius would have produced had he been at MGM during the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals.

Best Supporting Actress

It’s like deja vu all over again. Ariana DeBose is well-positioned to accomplish an acting awards hat fete by taking the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in West Side Story. As the fiery Anita, DeBose overshadows the two leads in the film and overpowers the screen with her explosive, show-stopping performance of America.

Sound familiar? It should because it is the exact same thing Rita Moreno did sixty years ago when she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her dynamic dominating portrayal of Anita in the 1961 version of West side Story. DeBose has already won the Golden Globe and SAG awards and is the odds on favorite to win the Oscar. The super talented DeBose will hopefully follow in Moreno’s footsteps and become a member of the exclusive EGOT Club, winner of an Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar and Tony. It will be like deja vu all over again…again.

Best (Overlooked) Supporting Actor

Eugenio Derbez was superb as the eccentric but caring and nurturing Mexican music choir teacher, Bernardo Villalobos, in CODA. Derbez puts a nice Latin American spin on his Mr. Holland’s Opus-like character. But the award will likely go to his deaf actor co-star, Tony Kotsur, in a sentimental well-deserved win.

Best Actress

Behold a pale dark horse wearing way too much mascara. The Best Actress race is always a tough one to handicap. There are so many fine actresses working today and this year’s field of Oscar contenders is proof of that.

Penelope Cruz gets her fifth Academy Award nomination for her performance in Parallel Mothers. Cruz won Best Supporting Actress in 2018 for her work in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. But the beautiful Spanish actress faces stiff competition from perennial Academy favorite, Nicole Kidman, for her stellar performance as Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. Kidman won the Best Actress Oscar for The Hours in 2002 for her haunting portrayal of tragic writer Virginia Woolf. Kidman has proven her biopic acting chops.

But I believe the Academy is going to ignore the subtle and the sublime of Parallel Mothers and “Cruz” right past Penelope and go for the quirky and give the Oscar to Jessica Chastain for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Tammy Faye’s grotesque garish harlequin eye makeup could paralyze a clown dead in his tracks and intimidate some Academy members to vote for her.

Best Actor

Javier Bardem should be a shoo-in to win the Oscar for his performance as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos. Bardem shows us the complicated layers that made up this often misunderstood and underappreciated man who was the backbone of I Love Lucy, the Desilu Production empire, and an early TV sitcom innovator. Arnaz was much more than a chronic womanizer, conga drum playing Cuban bandleader singing Babaloo and delivering his lines in his signature Cuban accent. He was an astute businessman, tough negotiator and eternally devoted to Lucille Ball. Bardem shows us all those colors brilliantly in Being the Ricardos.

Bardem’s competition comes from two popular Black Hollywood favorites: Will Smith in King Richard and Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth. The Academy loves anything from the British Isles and feels it must be good due to that cultured British accent. English actor, Benedict Cumberbatch, whose name alone conjures up fish ‘n chips, is nominated for his role in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog.

But like Glen Close in Fatal Attraction, Javier Bardem will not and should not be ignored. If he is ignored and doesn’t win the Oscar for Best Actor, the Academy will have a lot of ‘splaining to do!

Best (Overlooked)Director

Mexicans coming across the border and taking away those good paying jobs. Guillermo del Toro’s remake of Nightmare Alley has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best set Design and Best Production Design. Somehow the maestro, the orchestra conductor, the artist who puts all those musical notes, colors into a finished work of art resulting in a Best Picture nomination gets overlooked. Critics praise Guillermo del Toro, an acknowledged film auteur, for remaking Nightmare Alley with a modern film noir flare and a surprise ending.

The past few years have seen Mexican born directors dominate the Best Director category:  Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Roma), Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman, The Revenant and del Toro won in 2018 for The Shape of Water.  

There are no directors with Spanish surnames on this year’s list of nominees for Best Director. Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) is Variety’s best bet to win.  Bueno, asi es la vida.

Best Picture

Deja vu all over again, part three? West Side Story which is nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture could make motion picture history on March 27 and culminate what could be a glittering, success story for Latino Hollywood

Should West Side Story take home the big cinematic enchilada on Oscar night, it will be the first time in the Academy Awards 94-year history a virtual remake of a movie that had previously won Best Picture wins again.

Sixty years ago, Rita Moreno was the vanguard for Latino pride when she won Best Supporting Actress for her work in West Side Story. In a very moving, emotionally charged scene in the new version of West Side Story, Moreno is the voice of Latino hopes and dreams for Oscar night when she sings There’s A Place For Us.

The 94th Annual Academy Awards airs on ABC on March 27 (Sunday) at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

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The actor posted an Instagram video of himself in his gym unveiling a mirror emblazoned with a silhouette of Zorro mounted on his steed.

In the black and white vid, Valderrama is shown slowly, carefully removing a plastic film off the artwork to unveil the hero he will play in the series reimagined by Disney Branded Television. Valderrama does not say a word, using instead the Spanish-language ballad song “Brillo” by J Balvin and Rosalía as background music until the whole image is uncovered. He then turns to face the viewer before going off view with the camera then getting a close-up of Zorro holding his sword on his neighing horse, Tornado.

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A post shared by Wilmer Valderrama (@wilmervalderrama)

The artwork may be a gift from Valderrama’s wife, Amanda Pacheco, a model and social media personality. The video is accompanied by the message: “Thanks to @seaweanie, I have new inspiration in the gym.. as I begin my next chapter training… #MyHourADay.” @seaweanie is Pacheco’s Instagram handle.

The new series is being produced by John Gertz, who was a co-producer of two movies about the masked vigilante, The Legend of Zorro in 1998 and The Mask of Zorro in 2005–both starring Antonio Banderas. Gertz was also a consultant on a previous TV series Zorro for 87 episodes in the early 1990s.

Also producing is Gary Marsh, former Disney Branded Entertainment president and chief creative officer. 

Disney’s new Zorro series will use a genre style more usually associated with Latin American television. “We’re reimagining this Disney classic as a compelling period piece, set in Pueblo de Los Angeles, but told in a very modern telenovela style – with richly drawn contemporary characters and relationships set against the action, drama, suspense, and humor of the original iconic Zorro,” says Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.

“Wilmer shares our commitment to reflect the interesting and rich diversity of the human experience,” Davis adds. “And, we look forward to delivering a culturally relevant and entertaining story with definitional characters that will connect with our viewers for generations to come.”

Born in Miami and of Venezuelan and Colombian descent, Valderrama knows how important Zorro is for Latinos. “I’m excited to add to the legacy of the masked avenger while representing the Latino community, especially the younger generation that will grow up feeling represented as I have.”

The masked horseman was an inspiration for Valderrama in his youth. “Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero,” he said. “As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility for the stories that I help bring to life.”

Valderrama also stated that “partnering with Gary and Disney to bring Zorro back into the family after 60 years and be a part of the legacy for other children to know they too can be the heroes of their own stories is a dream come true.”

In addition to playing special agent Nicholas Torres in the CBS series NCSI, Valderrama is currently working on various Hollywood projects. He is producing the family comedy series Mexican Beverly Hills with Erick Galindo and Aaron Izek for CBS and Hipster Death Battle with Rafael Agustin and Marvin Lemus for the CW.

Valderrama is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertaining. 

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Hollywood thinks there can never be enough of Zorro and Wilmer Valderrama seems to agree. He is developing for Disney Branded Television a reimagined Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego, the hero masked horseman Zorro.

The series is being produced by John Gertz, a consultant on a previous TV series Zorro for 87 episodes 1990-1993, and Gary Marsh, former Disney Branded Entertainment president and chief creative officer. 

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said to industry media, “We’re reimagining this Disney classic as a compelling period piece, set in Pueblo de Los Angeles, but told in a very modern telenovela style – with richly drawn contemporary characters and relationships set against the action, drama, suspense, and humor of the original iconic Zorro.”

“Wilmer shares our commitment to reflect the interesting and rich diversity of the human experience,” Davis added. “And, we look forward to delivering a culturally relevant and entertaining story with definitional characters that will connect with our viewers for generations to come.”

And what does Valderrama think? 

“I’m excited to add to the legacy of the masked avenger while representing the Latino community, especially the younger generation that will grow up feeling represented as I have.”

The masked horseman was an inspiration for Valderrama in his youth. “Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero,” he said. “As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility for the stories that I help bring to life.”

Valderrama also stated that “partnering with Gary and Disney to bring Zorro back into the family after 60 years and be a part of the legacy for other children to know they too can be the heroes of their own stories is a dream come true.”

Valderrama is currently working on various Hollywood projects. He is producing the family comedy series Mexican Beverly Hills with Erick Galindo and Aaron Izek for CBS and Hipster Death Battle with Rafael Agustin and Marvin Lemus for the CW. His credits also include the voice of the character Agustin in Disney’s Encanto and he continues to portray NCIS Special Agent Nicholas Torres on CBS’ NCIS.

Valderrama is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertaining. 

Featured Photo: Wilmer Valderrama (Photo: CBS) / Artwork for the cover of Zorro 2 (Photo: Mike Mayhew/Dynamite Entertainment)

Check out the video trailer of The Mask of Zorro, the 1998 TriStar Pictures action film featuring Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins.

The post Wilmer Valderrama Takes the Helm on the Reimagined ‘Zorro’ Series first appeared on .

The new West Side Story is Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg’s version, some call it “reimagining,” of the 1961 multiple Academy Award-winning musical film that was an adaptation of the Broadway musical hit of the same title–which in turn was inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic love story Romeo and Juliet.

Check out the video of the world premiere featuring the film’s stars, including Latinos like Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez sharing the spotlight with Spielberg and Moreno, who is also an executive producer of the feature. The film is a production of 20th Century Fox, a subdivision of Walt Disney Studios which is also distributing the musical.

Featured Photo: Screenshot of video of West Side Story’s world premiere (Photo: 20th Century Fox/Disney)

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All screenings of Encanto, including the one on Sunday, include a live performance featuring Maribel–the film’s central character–on the movie theater stage before each show. Moviegoers can also take a picture at a themed photo op in the lobby and purchase Encanto-themed concession items.
El Capitan shows first-run films from Disney.

Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, vibrant town, a wondrous, charming place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. The film is directed by Jared Bush (Zootopia) and Byron Howard (Zootopia, Tangled), co-directed by Charise Castro Smith (writer, The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez), and produced by Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer. The screenplay is by Castro Smith and Bush. Encanto features original songs by Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana); Germaine Franco (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) composed the original score.

Currently the number one film in the U.S., Encanto topped the box office on its premiere weekend with $27.2 million.

The Dec. 5 Encanto event will be historic for El Capitan. It will be the first time that the theatre holds a screening en español of a Disney feature, according to Teresa Saenz, senior manager of sales and marketing at Walt Disney Studios.

Special Disney movie presentations at El Capitan are often preceded by a live stage show, a feature unique to the historic theatre. Previous Latino-theme films screened include Coco, which held its world premiere at El Capitan. Another movie with some Latino flavor slated for screening there in December is West Side Story, a remake of the acclaimed musical film directed by Academy Award-winner Steven Spielberg for 20th Century Fox. Unlike the 1961 original, Spielberg’s version includes a large Latino cast properly in the roles of Puerto Rican characters. Disney is now a distributor of 20th Century Fox features.  

All seats for Encanto’s Dec. 5 engagement need to be reserved. Tickets cost $24 for adults and $18 for children of age 3 through 11 and seniors of age 60 and above. 

Family packs are also available for $75 each and include four reserved tickets, four 64-oz popcorn tubs, four bottle beverages and parking at Hollywood & Highland. Additional tickets can be added by calling 1-800-Disney6 (347-6396). 

Daily showtimes for Encanto are 10 a.m. and 1, 4, 7 and 9:55 p.m.  

For tickets visit www.elcapitantickets.com and https://www.fandango.com/el-capitan-theatre-aacon/theater-page.  

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