By Judi Jordan

Fifteen years of magic, and we’re just getting started! The Guadalajara Film Festival in Los Angeles (GLAFF) is throwing an unforgettable Quinceañera celebration November 6–8, 2025, bringing together the most exciting voices in cinema from across the Americas. This isn’t just a film festival – it’s a three-day cultural fiesta you won’t want to miss!

Opening Night Magic: We’re kicking off in spectacular style with Guillermo del Toro’s breathtaking Frankenstein adaptation. The Guadalajara native has assembled a powerhouse cast – Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz – for what everyone’s calling the year’s most anticipated film. Catch the magic November 6th at downtown LA’s stunning United Theater, then watch it again on Netflix starting November 7th!

The Festival Lineup:

Olmo is the coming-of-age story we’ve been waiting for – a gorgeous exploration of life between cultures, brought to you by Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment and the brilliant Fernando Eimbcke.

Vainilla made waves at Venice, and now it’s our turn! Mayra Hermosillo’s debut feature transports you to 1980s Mexico through young Roberta’s eyes as her family fights to keep their world intact. It’s intimate, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable.

Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo Y Quiero – Because legends deserve legendary tributes. This Netflix docuseries reveals rare treasures from El Divo de Juárez’s incredible life.

Plus there’s art forgery intrigue in Forge, magical favela tales in Kites, and shorts featuring Rosie O’Donnell and rising stars!

Here’s what makes us proud: 55% of our filmmakers are women, representing Latinx, Black, Asian-American, Indigenous, Queer, Filipino, and Arab communities. That’s the future of cinema, and it’s happening right now.

Join us for red-carpet glamour, intimate filmmaker conversations, hands-on workshops, and screenings that’ll stay with you forever!November 6–8, 2025 | Los AngelesAll the details at: www.glaff.org

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GUEST SPEAKERS  Surprise guest speakers

EMCEE Walk of Famer and iHeart Media personality Ellen K   

WHAT Dedication of the 2,762nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

WHEN Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 11:30 AM PT

WHERE  6284 Hollywood Boulevard

YOU CAN WATCH LIVE  The event will be live-streamed exclusively at walkoffame.com 

Award-winning performer Marc Anthony will be honored on Thursday, September 7, with the 2,762^nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star will be unveiled at 6284 Hollywood Boulevard near the historic corner of Hollywood & Vine. Anthony will be awarded his star in the category of Recording. There will be a street closure that morning.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted globally iconic ceremonies for decades.  Millions of people from here and around the world have visited this cultural landmark since 1960. 

“We are very proud to honor Marc Anthony, one of the world’s most influential artists known on a global level as the top-selling tropical salsa artist of all time. I need to know how he does it!” stated Walk of Fame Producer, Ana Martinez. “Fans have been waiting with anticipation for his star ever since the announcement so I know Marc’s star will be a huge draw to the Walk of Fame! This day will make for a wonderful birthday celebration for Marc!” added Martinez.

Marc Anthony began his career as a session vocalist for freestyle music and underground New York house music acts and his big hit in the Latin music scene came in when he first recorded the salsa version of the late Juan Gabriel’s hit “Hasta Que Te Conoc?.” The rest is history! Marc Anthony is known as one of the most influential artists of his time and a true ambassador of Latin music and culture. He has received countless gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has been credited with more than 50 Billboard chart #1 hits and over 7.1 billion views on YouTube.

On May 10, 2019, Marc Anthony released OPUS, his first new studio album in six years on Magnus Media / Sony Latin Music. OPUS is his eighth salsa album in the 26 years since Otra Nota (1993) established him. In addition to winning the 2020 Grammy for Best Tropical Album, Opus has earned Marc Anthony a #1 at Billboard’s Tropical Airplay list with “Parecen Viernes”, and four nominations to Latin American Music Awards for Favorite Album (OPUS), Favorite Artist Tropical, Favorite Song (Parecen Viernes), and Favorite Tour.  He was a finalist in four categories for the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards: Tropical Album of the Year (OPUS), Tropical Song of the Year (Parecen Viernes), Tropical Artist of the Year – Solo, and Tour of the Year (OPUS TOUR).

ARRIVE EARLY IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE CEREMONY IN PERSON.

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Having sold an estimated 60 million records worldwide, Juan Gabriel is considered one of the greatest Mexican composers of all time and among the most beloved Spanish language artists known the world over.  His early hits, No Tengo Dinero (1971, focused on his humble beginnings and thrust him into the limelight making him a folklore type of hero. 

Juan Gabriel received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002 and in 2009, the singer was honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year.

Billboard listed Gabriel, in their list of the 30 most influential Latino artists in history.  He received three Latin Grammys Awards after his death.

Some of Gabriel’s famous award-winning songs include Abrazame Muy Fuerte, Te Sigo Amando, El Destino (a duet with Rocio Durcal), Yo No Se Que Me Paso, No Tengo Dinero, and Amor Eterno is perhaps his most famous, an homage to his mother. 

His album Recuerdos is said to be the best-selling album of all time in Mexico, having sold over eight million copies.

Juanga, as he was affectionately called by his adoring fans performed in prestigious venues worldwide and in the U.S. In Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay, and in Los Angeles, at the Universal Amphitheater, the Rose Bowl, and The Forum. Nationwide and globally, Gabriel performed at the largest and most famous venues. 

Juan Gabriel was a generous philanthropist donating to orphanages and children’s homes, and their families. He especially doted on single mothers struggling to raise their children.

Featured Photo: Facebook

— Latin Heat News Service

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In honor of the 20^th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, The GRAMMY Museum with the Latin Recording Academy debuted the first permanent Latin music gallery of Los Angeles, the Latin GRAMMY: 20 Years of Excellence, on November 18, 2019. To further recognize the importance of this event, L.A. City Council proclaimed November 18^th, 2019 “Latin GRAMMY Day”.

As Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy and host of this monumental event announced, “Latin music is a worldwide influence and we are honored to partner with the GRAMMY Museum to showcase the talented musicians, monumental Latin music moments, and significant milestones that have contributed to its popularity…and look to the feature to showcase this beautiful art form”.

Michael Sticka, President of the Grammy Museum also added, “Our expanded partnership with The Latin Recording Academy will significantly increase the GRAMMY Museum’s impact by creating a consistent presence dedicated to celebrating the many genres of Latin music”.

A year of planning and months of construction for this two-million-dollar project has created a breathtaking exhibit on the third floor of the first Grammy Museum, established in 2008.  The exhibit displays an array of memorabilia highlighting two decades of the Latin GRAMMY show and its most iconic performances and special moments. This exhibit also features the cultural and social impact of this music nationally and internationally.

On hand for the unveiling were (Pictured in the featured photo), Gabriel Abaroa Jr., The Latin Recording Academy® President/CEO; Christian Nodal, Ángela Aguilar, Giselle Fernández, Michael Sticka, President of the GRAMMY Museum®; supervisor Hilda Solis, and Albert Lord (Los Angeles City Council)

Highlighted memorabilia of the exhibit include:

Juan Gabriel’s outfit from his show-stopping 10^th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards performance.

Ricky Martin’s shirt from his musically innovative performance with the Blue Man Group, at the Latin GRAMMY Awards:

And the first professional drum set of Mana’s drummer Alex Gonzales. Plus, many other featured iconic artists, such as Gloria and Emilio Estefan Jr., Shakira, Julio Iglesias, Thalia, Los Tigres del Norte, and Sheila E.

The Latin Recording Academy (previously known as the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) was founded in 1997, by the Recording Academy (previously known as the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) responsible for the GRAMMY awards. It was created as a response to properly cover the vast and growing diversity of Latin music genres. 

The first Latin GRAMMY Awards were held on September 13, 2000, with 39 categories. Today, it’s grown to an astounding 50 categories!    

Having this exhibit in Los Angeles is monumental, due to this city being both “The entertainment capital of the world”, and the American city with the largest Hispanic/Latino population of 4.9 million (Pew, 2018).  A further donation by the Latin Academy, over half a million dollars, will be used over a three-year period to further extend this exhibit and other “Latin-inspired exhibits”. Further emphasizing the cultural and social influence Latinos and Latin music has had on the city and the music industry. 

This historical exhibit is now open to the public as of November 20^th, 2019 to Spring 2020. A must-see for anyone who’s passionate about music, L.A. culture, history, and/or the Latino experience.

For further information: https://www.grammymuseum.org/exhibits/latin-grammy-20-years-of-excellence

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