Apple TV+ began this May with the unveiling of the third season of Acapulco, which originally premiered in October 2021. The global bilingual hit series is highlighted by the understated comedic timing of its star and executive producer, Emmy and SAG-Award winner Eugenio Derbez. He returns as Máximo in season three, debuted internationally on Wednesday, May 1, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through June 26.

The ten episodes explore the story of Maximo Gallardo, told in two timelines: present day and the mid-80s, as he makes a valiant effort to reconcile past mistakes and heal old wounds. In the present day, older Máximo (Derbez) finds himself returning to Las Colinas resort which he no longer recognizes. Flashbacks to 1985 reveal a younger Máximo (Enrique Arrizon), relentlessly climbing the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build, especially a budding romance with fellow hotel employee Julia (Camila Perez).  

The series admirably creates the glamour of a posh Mexican seaside resort.  The present-day episodes now find successful Maximo explaining to his nephew Hugo (Raphael Alejandro) the history of his past life at Las Colinas. But most of the comedy happens in the past, as we are made privy to the adventures of Maximo and a colorful array of fellow resort employees. Ruling the roost is Diane Davies (Jessica Collins), owner of Las Colinas. In the meantime, Maximo is constantly seeking advice from kindly Don Pablo Bonilla (Damian Alcazar), Head of Hotel Operations. Much of the fun is provided by laundry worker Guillermo (Fernando Carsa) and Hector (Rafael Cebrian), head pool boy with a talent for knowing how to fleece the wealthy resort guests. The action is highlighted by the talented song-and-dance routines of poolside performers Augusto (Rodigo Urquidi) and Adriana (Rosana de Leon).     

To round out the story, young Maximo’s family life comes under scrutiny, underscored by Nora (Vanessa Bauche), Maximo’s widowed mother and his sister Sara (Regina Reynoso). An intriguing subplot juxtaposes Nora’s marriage to a new love as her bisexual daughter struggles to find her own lasting romance. The returning “Acapulco” ensemble cast includes Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco, and Carlos Corona with recurring guest stars Jaime Camil and Cristo Fernandez. Kudos to the phenomenal production values, providing a glimpse of how just enjoyable a visit to Las Colinas could be.  And there is already a planned Season Four (TBA). Acapulco should enjoy long run. The series regular characters are specifically realized, making it is easy to imagine many of them branching out to series of their own. 

In addition to starring in the series, Derbez serves as executive producer alongside Ben Odell. Actor Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin) makes an appearance in the first episode of the season.

Hailing from Lionsgate Television, Acapulco is inspired by 3Pas Studios and Pantelion Films’ box office hit How to Be A Latin Lover, and is produced for Apple by Lionsgate Television. The series is created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Sam Laybourne who serves as the showrunner.
Acapulco can be streamed for free on Apple TV+ and Roku.

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Fan favorite , Acapulco returns for season three with the first two episodes debuting globally on Wednesday, May 1, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through June 26.

Fans on Reddit agree that Acapulco is a fav of theirs and even have some advice to other streamers. Jonathan Oberg commented “I’m all in. One of the best shows on any streamer. Apple needs to avoid the Netflix trap of canceling shows too soon.”

The Apple TV+ teases season three with a new trailer that gives us a peek to what we will see in the global popular, bilingual hit comedy series starring and executive produced by Emmy and SAG-Award winner Eugenio Derbez. 

This new season Acapulco brings the reconciliation of past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. The older Máximo (Derbez) finds himself returning to Las Colinas a place he no longer recognizes. While in 1985, younger Máximo (Enrique Arrizon) continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build.

Returning to Acapulco is the winning ensemble cast which includes Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco, and Carlos Corona with recurring guest stars Jaime Camil (Schmigadoon) and Cristo Fernandez (Ted Lasso) joining the cast in season three.

Acapulco the series is produced for Apple by Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions and The Tannenbaum Company. The inspiration for the show was the box office hit How to Be A Latin Lover produced by 3Pas Studios and Pantelion Films’, in which Derbez played “Maximo” a kid with humble beginnings who grows up searching for the wealthiest women to marry. The series is executive produced by Derbez alongside Ben Odell and is created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman.

Acapulco is in good company at Apple Original films, where their documentaries and series have earned 482 wins and 2,142 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy Ted Lasso and historic Oscar Best Picture winner CODA.

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This year’s New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) will open with the NYC premiere of Amazon Prime’s film Cassandro (2023, 99 min. USA), starring Gael Garcia Bernal; the film follows the true story of a gay wrestler from El Paso who rose to international stardom. NYLFF, the nation’s premier Latino film festival, will once again be held at Regal Union Square (850 Broadway, NYC) and kicks off on September 15 to 24, 2023, during Latino Heritage Month with an impressive roster of 116 films from nearly 20 countries.

Presented by Kino Lorber, the Festival will screen Aristotle Torres‘ debut feature Story Ave (2023, 94 min. USA), starring Luis Guzman as an MTA worker held up by young graffiti artist Kadir (Asante Blackk) in a robbery gone right. HBO Documentaries will present You Were My First Boyfriend (2023, 97 min. USA), the heart-warming story of Cecilia Aldarondo as she revisits her 1990s adolescence. Also showing is Radical (2023, 122 min., USA), the story of actor Eugenio Derbez as a teacher in a Mexican border town who tries a radical new method to unlock their students’ potential. Music lovers can enjoy Sony Pictures Classics’ film Carlos (2023, 88 min., USA), which follows Santana‘s journey from a 14-year-old street musician to a 10-time Grammy-winning global sensation.

“Amidst this historic moment in the entertainment industry, NYLFF continues to uphold the importance of stories as a powerful and important tool for collective social change,” said Calixto Chinchilla, Founder New York Latino Film Festival. “The Festival, for 23 years, has and will continue to offer Latino filmmakers and content creators a platform to highlight our stories”

“We are thrilled to shine a light on independent film production in NYC by once again supporting the New York Latino Film Festival,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Pat Swinney Kaufman. “This year’s opening night film, Story Ave, directed by up-and-coming NYC filmmaker Aristotle Torres, is the perfect example of why this festival, and others like it, are so important; to provide a global platform to amplify diverse storytelling. Congratulations to Calixto Chinchilla and team on what is sure to be another terrific festival.”

Festival Highlights

This year, NYLFF will present an exciting line-up of feature films in various forms, including feature, documentary, and shorts from the United States and Latin America. Highlights include: Sony Pictures’ Dumb Money (2023, 104 min., USA), the ultimate David vs. Goliath tale based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (yes, the mall video game store) into the world’s hottest company; in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the Festival will present a special screening of Beat Street (1984, 105 min., USA), the story of a DJ from the South Bronx and his best friend, a promoter, who try to get into show business; celebrating its 30th anniversary, NYLFF presents the film Blood in, Blood Out (1993, 180 min., USA) based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo; Playing Sam (2023, 89 min., USA), the story of a non-Spanish-speaking Latina actress from the Bronx who struggles to fit into Hollywood; and Simón (2023, 99 min., USA) follows a Venezuelan freedom fighter exiled in Miami who has to cope with trauma and guilt. From the Caribbean, the Festival will present Boca Chica (2022, 90 min., Dominican Republic), the tale of a musically gifted young woman determined to find her voice and escape the threats of betrayal and prostitution on the beaches of her hometown in the Dominican Republic.

The Futuro Digital Conference returns, presented by OFF THE CUFF, with a day-long forum spotlighting leaders and top social influencers in digital content (creators and distributors), mobile app companies, and mobile technology leaders targeting the market. To complement the Festival, FUTURO presents an exciting new roster of web series, including Dominicanyork (2022, 12 min., USA), which dives into the breakups, secrets, purpose, and identity of 8 Dominican-American millennials; Amor en Cuarentena (2022, 30 min., USA), a Spanglish series that follows Emi, a funny, dedicated and complicated Mexican-American teacher, as she looks for love with the help of friends and family during a global pandemic; Migrants (2022, 7 min., USA), the story of two naive Brooklyn hipsters who set up a “Migrant Integration Initiative” in response to the news that the Texas governor was shipping migrants from Latin America to Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Click HERE for festival information and tickets. 

Click HERE to watch the NYLFF 2023 Trailer.

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Fresh off the world premiere of his latest film Radical at Sundance 2023 which took the Best Film Award, Eugenio Derbez’s Apple TV+ TV series Acapulco is also winning. The Apple Original comedy, starring and executive produced by Emmy and SAG-Award winner Derbez, has been picked up for a 10-episode third season, set to go into production this spring.

Following a globally acclaimed second season, the bilingual comedy series was recently hailed as “consistently hilarious,” “feel-good,” “a candy-colored neon dream of a show,” and was ranked as one of the top shows for 2022, reaching a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. 

“We at 3Pas Studios are thankful to Apple TV+, the perfect home for Acapulco, along with our production partner Lionsgate, filmmakers and cast and crew,” said Derbez. “We have always believed that the stories we tell about our communities and cultures can resonate with global audiences, so crank up the AC, it’s about to get a lot hotter at Las Colinas Resort.”

“We’ve seen an overwhelming response from audiences all over the world who have fallen in love with with Acapulco,” said Morgan Wandell, head of international programming for Apple TV+. “Eugenio, Austin, Ben, Eric, Kim and the talented cast and crew behind Acapulco have created a feel-good show that has a lot of heart, emotion, and laughs, and we can’t wait to bring even more of that into season three.”

In Season Three of Acapulco, it’s a time of reconciling past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In our present story, older Maximo (Derbez) finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognizes. While in 1985, younger Maximo continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build… 

The upcoming third season will be showrun by Sam Laybourne (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Black-ish). In addition to Derbez, the Acapulco ensemble cast returning includes Enrique Arrizon (as Máximo Gallardo), Fernando Carsa (as Memo), Damián Alcázar (Don Pablo), Camila Perez (Julia), Chord Overstreet (Chad), Vanessa Bauche (Nora), Regina Reynoso (Sara), Raphael Alejandro (Hugo), Jessica Collins (Diane), Rafael Cebrián (Hector), Carlos Corona (Esteban) and Regina Orozco (Lupe).

Acapulco season two picked up right on the heels of season one, telling the story of 20-something Máximo Gallardo (Arrizon), whose dream comes true when he scores the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco, Las Colinas. In 1985, Máximo must contend with upheaval at the resort, unexpected problems at home and a new love interest who just might rival the girl of his dreams. Under Don Pablo’s guidance, he sets his eyes on one day running the entire Las Colinas operation by becoming the right-hand man of Diane. Meanwhile, in present day, older Máximo (Derbez) returns to Acapulco to make peace with the recent passing of Don Pablo, where he is forced to confront some unfinished business young Máximo left behind.

Seasons one and two of Acapulco are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

Hailing from Lionsgate Television, Acapulco is inspired by 3Pas Studios and Pantelion Films’ box office hit How to Be A Latin Lover, and is produced for Apple by Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions and The Tannenbaum Company. The series is created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Winsberg (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) also serves as executive producer on the project. Jay Karas (Abbott Elementary, Ghosts) serves as an executive producer and director. In addition to starring in the series, Derbez serves as executive producer alongside Ben Odell and co-executive producer Sonia Almanza Gambaro on behalf of 3Pas Studios. Eric and Kim Tannenbaum executive produce along with Jason Wang on behalf of The Tannenbaum Company.

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Season two picks up right on the heels of season one, telling the story of twenty-something Máximo Gallardo (Enrique Arrizon), whose dream comes true when he scores the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco, Las Colinas. In 1985, Máximo must contend with upheaval at the resort, unexpected problems at home and a new love interest who just might rival the girl of his dreams. Under Don Pablo’s (Damián Alcázar) guidance, he sets his eyes on one day running the entire Las Colinas operation by becoming Diane’s right-hand man. Meanwhile, in present-day, Older Máximo returns to Acapulco to make peace with the recent passing of Don Pablo, where he is forced to confront some unfinished business young Máximo left behind.

 Acapulco is inspired by the box office hit film How to be a Latin Lover which starred Derbez and Salma Hayek, produced by 3Pas Studios and Pantalion, and released by Lionsgate. The TV show is a global production that includes Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions and The Tannenbaum Company, created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Jay Karas is both executive producer and director. In addition to starring, Derbez serves as executive producer alongside Ben Odell for 3Pas, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum and Jason Wang. Sonia Gambaro is co-executive producer on behalf of 3Pas Studios.

For viewers that want to know why Acapulco is considered a global hit, they can catch season one which is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

Fun fact: Apple TV+ was also behind the distribution of CODA in which Derbez stars as Dr. Bernardo Villalobos. The streamer bought the film for a record $25 million after it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival

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Not only is actor/comedian Eugenio Derbez beloved in his home country of Mexico, he has also become a box office name in the U.S. and by extension, the world, recently appearing in the Oscar-winning film CODA.  Next, the world gets to experience his comedic talent in the English-language remake of the French hit The Valet, when it premieres as a  Hulu Original (May 20) in the U.S. and Internationally on Disney+ as a Star Original. Richard Wong is set to direct.

The Valet centers around a movie star Olivia (Samara Weaving) who enlists a parking valet (Derbez) at a Beverly Hills restaurant to pose as her lover to cover-up her relationship with a married billionaire (Max Greenfield). As a valet, hard-working Antonio usually flies under the radar but his ruse with Olivia thrusts him into the spotlight and brings him to see himself more clearly than ever before. “Its message of unity, seeing each other and human connection, is something the world could use right now and no one does that better than Hulu and Disney+,“ said Wong.  

Derbez’s “crossover success” from television and film star in Mexico to the U.S. was sealed when he started appearing in films that were slanted with U.S. Latinos in mind.  One of the first films he made for the U.S. market was Bajo La Misma Luna/Under The Same Moon (2007) which was a Mexico/U.S. co-production written by Lijiah Villalobos and directed by Patricia Riggen.  Derbez had a small but pivotal role in this film, but it was enough for him to realize that he had millions of fans in the U.S. 

Mexican-Americans are 66% of all U.S. Latinos and they are familiar, or their parents are familiar with the show Derbez co-created, co-directed, and starred in, the family sitcom La familia P. Luche, as they watched it on U.S. Spanish language networks.  He realized that there was a substantial audience that would support his content in the U.S.

This notion was put to the test when he produced his first film marketed in the U.S., Instructions Not Included (2013) which he directed, co-wrote, and starred in.  It became the most successful Spanish-language film in the U.S. and worldwide broke numerous box-office records, earning more than $100 million worldwide. $44.4 million of that was earned in the U.S., with the help of the U.S. Latino market with MPAA has noted purchase 26% of all movie tickets.

Derbez produced and starred in a string of films beginning with Instructions Not Included which was followed by How To Be A Latin Lover (2017), and Overboard (2018).  In between producing his films he took on co-starring roles in high-profile studio films like Miracles From Heaven (2016) for Columbia Pictures, Dora and the Lost City of Gold for Paramount, and recently CODA for Apple TV+.  He has solidified his role in the U.S. as an actor that can “carry” a movie, meaning it will make a return on investment at the box office. 

Some would say that Derbez has found a winning formula. The one thing his films have in common is the casting, mixing known general market actors in the U.S. and Mexican actors.  This winning combination has worked for his previous films and it is the same formula in play with The Valet.  Betsy Brandt (Life in Pieces), Marisol Nichols (Riverdale, Criminal Minds), Noemi Gonzalez (Selena: The Series), Carmen Salinas (legendary Mexican actress who recently died), Ravi Patel (Wonder Woman), Tiana Okoye, Diany Rodriguez (The Blacklist), Mexican actor Armando Hernández, Carlos Santos (Gentefied), Amaury Nolasco (Hightown, Prison Break), John Pirucello (Godzilla vs. Kong) and Alex Fernandez (Mayans MC) round out the rest of the cast with Reggaeton superstar Lunay set to make his film acting debut. 

“The Valet is a multi-generational, multicultural comedy in which people from two different worlds discover the humanity in each other, Derbez and his 3Pas production company partner Benjamin Odell said in a joint statement. “ At 3pas studios we tell stories that try to unite us all and we love partnering with Hulu+ and Disney+ to bring this to the largest global audience possible.”

For the most part, in the domestic film world, Derbez has established himself as an actor that can carry, as well as produce a film that delivers box office numbers.  He is now looking to conquer the international market.

The Valet is written by Rob Greenberg & Bob Fisher, the team that penned Derbez’s hit film Overboard, which took in $95 million worldwide. Derbez and Odell’s 3Pas Studios banner is currently producing the television series Acapulco, which recently got picked up for a 2nd season by Apple TV.  

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Film:  MARRY ME

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Music

Director: Kat Coiro

Writers: John Rogers, Tami Sagher, Harper Dill

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluna, John Bradley, Sarah Silverman

REVIEW

An improbable premise begets an improbable marriage which begets a funny, warm rom-com. At first glance, Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson don’t seem like a match made in Heaven. Let’s face it, a love affair between J-Lo and O-Wil is not going to make the cover of any supermarket tabloid.

Kat (Lopez) is a mega superstar who gets stood up during a worldwide telecast concert. In a moment of despair Kat spots an unsuspecting nerdy math teacher, Charlie (Owen Wilson), coaxes him on stage, and.…say it ain’t so, J-Lo!..marries him! It’s just a phony-baloney publicity stunt resulting from a heartbroken Kat being humiliated in front of the whole world, right?

It starts out that way, but slowly but surely these two “accidental” lovers begin to find common ground and begin to bond as humans. Lopez is especially good at shedding her diva persona in the story and revealing a softer more vulnerable side. Wilson has perfected his reliable “everyman” character with his uneven good looks that underscore and complement Lopez’s smoky, sexy charm.

Marry Me probably won’t win any Oscars. But there is some good music by J-Lo and Marry Me is a nice, cozy little date movie.

Studio: Universal

Producers: Courtney Baxter, Kevin Beisler, Alex Brow

Available: In Theaters, Peacock

Rating:

________________________________________________________________________________

TV Series  ACAPULCO 

Genre: Bilingual Comedy, Romance

CreatorS: EduardoCisneros, Jason Shuman, Austin Winsberg

Writers: Eduardo Cisneros, Eddie Quintana,  Jason Shunan, Chris Spain

Cast: Enrique Arizon, Fernando Carsa, Eqmián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Vanessa Bauche, Raphael alejandroEugenio Derbez, Chrod Oversteet

REVIEW

Will success spoil Maximo Gallardo? That’s the ultimate question underlying this funny, sparkling bi-lingual comedy set in gorgeous Acapulco, Mexico. Every episode begins with Old Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) telling his curious nephew, Hugo, (Raphael Alejandro) the story of how he acquired all his current fabulous wealth and property.

Acapulco begins when Young Maximo (Enrique Arizan) and his buddy, Memo (Fernando Carsa) land jobs at the ritzy Las Colimas Resort. Memo ends up working in the laundry room, while Maximo finds himself hobnobbing with the wealthy guests as a pool boy.  Maximo is ambitious and aims to please his boss, Diane (Jessica Collins) with well-intended, but often mixed results.

Acapulco is a morality tale within a comedy. Every story contains a moral lesson Old Maximo learned as Young Maximo, such as dealing with the special needs and secrets of certain guests, competing with a workplace rival, handling a delicate personal romantic situation, coping with his mother’s disapproval for working in a “den of sin” resort.

The real joy and pleasure of Acapulco is watching the irrepressibly charming Arizan, as young Maximo, encounter, overcome and learn from each new challenge he faces. The writing in Acapulco is 14-carat gold. Each supporting cast performance is a gem that adds value to this priceless jewel of a comedy.

Will success spoil Maximo Gallardo? Acapulco has been picked up for a second season so Hugo and the rest of us will find out.

 Production Company: 3Pas Studios

Producers: Eduardo cisneros, Alehandro Cárdenas, Chris Harris, Jake Harris

Available: AppleTV+

Rating:

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Apple TV+ is extending its stay at the Las Colinas resort with a season two renewal of Acapulco, a comedy series shot in Mexico.

The Spanish and English-language series, with a current 100% rating on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, stars executive producer Eugenio Derbez, who recently took home a SAG Award as part of the celebrated ensemble of Apple Original Film CODA.

Though set in the 1980s port of Acapulco, the series is actually filmed in the also world-famous beach resort of Puerto Vallarta. Production of season two is slated to start this spring.

Acapulco tells the story of twenty-something Máximo Gallardo (Enrique Arrizon), whose dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco. Season two picks up right on the heels of season one. In 1985, Máximo must contend with upheaval at the resort, unexpected problems at home, and a new love interest who just might rival the girl of his dreams. In the present day, older Máximo (Derbez, who also narrates the series) arrives in Acapulco, where he encounters various people from his past — for better and worse.

In addition to Derbez and Arrizon, the ensemble cast includes Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco and Carlos Corona.

Hailing from Lionsgate Television, Acapulco is inspired by 3Pas Studios and Pantelion Films’ 2017 box office hit How to Be A Latin Lover–which starred Derbez himself along with Salma Hayek–and is produced by Lionsgate Television and The Tannenbaum Company along with 3Pas Studios. The series is created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Chris Harris serves as showrunner. Winsberg, Cisneros, Shuman and Harris also serve as executive producers on the project. Jay Karas serves as an executive producer and director. Joining Derbez as executive producers are Ben Odell and co-producer Sonia Gambaro on behalf of 3Pas Studios. Also, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum executive produce along with Jason Wang on behalf of The Tannenbaum Company.

The post Bilingual Comedy ‘Acapulco’ Gets Second Season on Apple TV+  first appeared on .

DeBose recived the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role in West Side Story. The honor adds to more than a dozen awards, including a Golden Globe, that the proud Afro-Latina has won for playing Anita in the reimagined version of the musical film by Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg.

“It’s taken a long time for me to feel comfortable calling myself an actor,” said DeBose, before talking about her background in musical theater. “I really do believe that when you recognize one of us, you recognize all of us.” She said her Anita took a decade to make and that she was proud of the character and expressed gratitude to Spielberg for believing in her talent and her colleague actors. In thanking the musical’s cast and crew, she called WSS a “labor of love” and “beautiful cinematic experience.”

DeBose is also an Academy Award nominee for the same role this year.

For their part, Mexican actors Derbez and Fernandez won their awards as part of ensemble casts the former for a film, the latter for a TV series. It is notable that both actors played characters with Spanish surnames that defy Latino stereotypes.

Derbez received his prize for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in the indie film CODA. The feature centers on a young woman who is the only hearing person in her deaf family who is torn between going away to college to study music and staying with her deaf parents. The Mexico City-born actor plays Bernardo Villalobos, the music teacher of the central character. The Derbez shared the honor with Daniel Durant, Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo.

“We’re smiling from ear to ear: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture,” tweeted Derbez, adding the hashtags #sagawards and #CODAFilm. He concluded with, “My CODA Family!!!”

??

We’re smiling from ear to ear:
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture #sagawards #CODAFilm
My CODA Family!!! pic.twitter.com/bi3hRM6Xs7

— Eugenio Derbez (@EugenioDerbez) February 28, 2022

Fernandez earned his honor for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for his role in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso. The series follows American college football coach Ted Lasso, who heads to London to manage AFC Richmond, a struggling English Premier League soccer team. Guadalajara-born Fernandez plays Dani Rojas, a striker for AFC Richmond. Incidentally, the actor once wanted to be a professional soccer player.

Ay ay ay ay ay Dios mío, ganamos, we won, thank you to everyone watching and supporting us @TedLasso @SAGawards @sagaftra @sagaftraFOUND ???? https://t.co/qjMH6cvGwW pic.twitter.com/VRfsMeh5bF

— Cristo Fernández (@cristofernandez) February 28, 2022

“Ay ay ay ay ay Dios mío, ganamos, we won, thank you to everyone watching and supporting us,” tweeted in Spanglish Fernandez, adding the handles @TedLasso @SAGawards @sagaftra @sagaftraFOUND.

Fernandez shared the prize with Annette Badland, Kola Bokinni, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Nick Mohammed, Sarah Niles, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple and Hannah Waddingham.

This is the second award Fernandez has won for Ted Lasso. Last year the series also won best ensemble at the Pena de Prata Awards in Portugal. His role also earned him an Imagen Award nom in 2021.

Other actors honored with individual awards were Will Smith, Jessica Chastain and Troy Kotsur for performances in motion pictures, and Michael Keaton, Kate Winslet, Lee Jung-Jae, Jung Ho-Yeon, Jean Smart and Ted Lasso’s Sudeikis for performances in television. The award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series went to HBO’s Succession.

The stunt ensemble from the James Bond sequel film No Time to Die was honored for motion picture and the stunt ensemble from South Korea’s Squid Game was honored for television.

Actresses Winslet and Cate Blanchett presented the legendary thespian Helen Mirren with the 57th Life Achievement Award.

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Actor and filmmaker Eugenio Derbez will create an animated series for Encantos, an application that teaches kids through storytelling.

The still-untitled series is part of a development deal that Derbez and his 3Pas Studios partner Ben Odell has struck with Encantos Media Studios PBC, an entertainment and education company based in Culver City, California.  

The show will feature a “confident, street-smart, brilliant boy who unwittingly gets into trouble and uses his humor, wit, and ingenuity to get himself out of sticky situations” along with an “ensemble cast of odd-ball multi-generational characters,” says 3Pas in a press release. It is part of an intellectual property aiming to encourage critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills in entertaining ways that are also culturally authentic and relatable, according to Debez’s company. There will also be consumer products, publishing and interactive content in the Encantos app associated with the series. 

It is clear yet if the series will also be available on television. Encantos’s previous, bilingual and Daytime Emmy-nominated Canticos aired on Nick Jr. Channel. 

Making the new series with a Latino angle seems to be a must for Derbez, whose company reportedly prefers family-oriented projects. “Making a child laugh is the best feeling in the world,” says the actor in a press statement. “Now just imagine if they can also learn while they are being entertained! We want it to be universal but through a specific Latino lens.” 

For the Instructions Not Included and Overboard star this new enterprise with Encantos is also personal. “I have a seven-year-old daughter and I just never feel like there is enough content that speaks to her and reflects who she is,” says the Mexican actor. “We want 3pas to be part of the solution and Encantos is the perfect partner to help us achieve this.”

Derbez and Odell will serve as executive producers on the property on behalf of 3Pas Studios, along with Susie Jaramillo and Steven Wolfe Pereira on behalf of Encantos. 

“Eugenio has a special gift for connecting with children and it shines through his work,” says Jaramillo, chief story officer and president of Encantos. “He is a natural story teacher who understands the power of humor to help kids learn. We can’t wait to channel his bigheartedness and comedic genius into a property that entertains and engages kids while teaching them valuable new fundamental skills like critical thinking, problem-solving and perseverance.”

Encantos CEO Wolfe Pereira says there is a need for more inclusive and culturally relevant content in American media for children. “While over 50 percent of kids in the United States are multicultural, children’s entertainment and education does not reflect today’s diverse world,” he states. “Families expect and deserve greater representation in what their kids are seeing and learning. Encantos is bringing culturally authentic voices together on a platform that provides the broader range of perspectives that has been missing.”

Making fun content with purpose is a priority for the Los Angeles-based 3Pas, according to Odell. “One of our priorities at 3Pas is bringing more diverse-focused content to the kids and family space and we love Steven and Susie’s vision for Encantos,” he says. “We want to swing big and build out a lasting property that can teach kids using all of the multimedia platforms available to them. And as always, we want to do it with humor and heart and we love to work with and support talented Latinx partners to get there.”

3Pas Studios is represented by UTA & attorney Howard Abramson. Encantos is represented by attorney Lisa E. Davis at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC.

Featured Photo: Eugenio Derbez (Credit: 3Pas Studios)

Check out this this video episode of Canticos, an example of the animated work of the Encantos company.

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