McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado, a multi-year platform created to uplift and amplify Latino voices across different industries, kicked off in April with an open call for all U.S.-based Latino writers, directors and producers to submit their screenplays. Finalists were announced at a celebratory event in LA where acclaimed actress, director, producer, and representation advocate Stephanie Beatriz surprised them with the news, positioning them in the running of being named the grand-prize winner.

“It’s been a long journey for Latino representation on and off-screen, but the creativity, passion and top-notch quality of the three finalist short film narratives fill me with hope for the future,” said Stephanie Beatriz, best known for her role as ‘Mirabel’ in Disney’s Academy Award-winning film, Encanto. “While there’s still work to be done, programs like McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado are essential to support talented creatives and give them the tools they need to bring their stories to life.”

The three finalists were selected by a panel of industry leaders based on criteria across all aspects of filmmaking, including originality, direction, writing, cinematography, and production value, to name a few. Bringing the program full circle, the finalists will also get access to mentorship from renowned leaders in film including Stephanie Beatriz, Director Carlos López Estrada, Showrunner Ilana Peña, Actress Danay Garcia and Writer/Director Nancy C. Mejía.

Meet the Spotlight Dorado finalists

Jazmin Aguilar is a writer and director from South Gate, CA. Her short film The Letter played at numerous Academy Award/BAFTA qualifying festivals and was eventually licensed by HBO in 2020. Aguilar has been recognized as Best Director at the Young Entertainer Awards, and the Official Latino Film Festival. She was also a recipient of NALIP’s Emerging Creator Scholarship.

Jesus Celaya is a Mexican American writer and director who grew up between Washington State and the border state Sonora, Mexico. Celaya studied film at the Brooks Institute in L.A. Since then, he has won various awards, including a Latinx Fellowship at the 2020 Screenwriters and Directors Labs.

Lorena Russi is a queer professional soccer player turned comedian, filmmaker, and educator. Originally from Queens, she recently wrote and performed in HBO’s PAUSE with Sam Jay. In the past, she has been a writer for Spotify and PBS, in addition to writing and producing for the digital team at “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” on CBS.

The finalist short films will debut in November on spotlightdorado.com. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite short film and help determine the grand-prize winner. The winner will be given a year-long opportunity to work with McDonald’s USA in 2023 on future creative initiatives and campaigns and will receive industry-standard creative software subscription services.

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Originally from Miami Florida, Pena received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northwestern University.  Moving to California she began working as a production assistant.  She soon landed an assistant position to Rachel Bloom, the creator and showrunner of the CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.  That is when her writing career stepped into gear. She was promoted to a writing assistant and then writer where she wrote a few episodes for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Peña then created and pitched Diary of a Future President and the rest, as they say, is history.

This past May Disney+ announced that Diary of a Future President would get a second season.  The executive producing team which, aside from Pena includes Gina Rodriguez n(also makes cameo appearances as the President of the United States) includes Robin Shorr, Emily Gipson, Brad Silberling and Lewis Abel.

“Since day one on Diary, CBS Studios has been so supportive of my vision and voice,” said Peña. “I am incredibly grateful to the team for giving me a creative home to tell meaningful, inclusive stories.”

With a hit show and a production deal in place, Peña is creating worlds through her writing that resonate among Latinos and beyond.

Peña is represented by Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.

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