In Partnership with Maverick Entertainment, Latin Hollywood Films introduces a new brand of stand-up and travel specials. Broads Abroad is a comedy and travel hybrid as the girls get into hilarious fish-out-of-water situations and tour the country’s exotic locations while learning the history of the first colonized city in the Americas. The project was filmed entirely on location in Punta Cana Dominican Republic at the Barcelo Bavaro Grand Resort. 

“We believe in supporting female talent in a big way. The diverse backgrounds of these three comediennes reach all corners of the country and appeal to a mass audience, said Doug Schwab, founder and president of Maverick Entertainment. “We are proud to work with Vicki, Crystal, and Kiki and look forward to audiences seeing this hilarious and unique stand-up special.” 

Melendez is president of Latin Hollywood Films, established in 2000, best known for their hit show Hot Tamales Live! on Showtime Networks. 

Comedian Kiki Melendez pioneered the concept of female-driven comedy on a major network.  

“People called me crazy when I brought forward the idea of an all-female comedic lineup on Hot Tamales Live! Now with Broads Abroad, we come back with the same message: Women are just as funny as men!, exclaimedMelendez “We were set to film in LA, and Vicki and I decided we needed a vacation. We added our bestie Crystal and created a one-of-a-kind travel and stand-up comedy special” said Melendez.  

The show features America’s Got Talent stars Vicki Barbolak currently guest host of  AGT Live in Las Vegas at the Luxor, Crystal Powell who is currently hosting the Magic Mike Live Tour and showrunner Kiki Melendez who has just completed a feature film The Wedding Factory with actor Kuno Becker.

Broads Abroad was created by Melendez and Barbolak.  It was directed by Melendez and Ramon Monchi Herrera. Hosted by Rene Rosado (The Conners) and executive producer Sarkis Semerjyan and producers Julia Carias-Linares, Erica Barrabi and Armando Guereno.

Melendez is repped by Culture Creative Entertainment. Barbolak is repped by Maverick Management and The Gersh Agency.  Crystal Powell is repped by PB Talent.

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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.

The post OMNI Cultural TV FEST & NATPE Hold The 3rd Annual Multiverse TV & Film Festival first appeared on .

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

The post “Pitch It” at Upcoming Omni Cultural TV Fest And NATPE Event first appeared on .

The bilingual New York-born Melendez (Hot Tamales Live!/Showtime) will headline Broads Abroad and Reinas de la Risa, two shows—the first in English, the second in Spanish—that are part of a three multicultural, female-led series. 

Slated to be held at Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort in the tourist town of Punta Cana, the shows will be produced by Latin Hollywood Films and Maverick Entertainment, with the latter also distributing. Melendez is co-creator and Sarkis Semerjyan (Kiki Mobile/FYI) executive produces.

Broads Abroad will showcase a trio of US comediennes, Vicki Barbolak (America’s Got Talent/NBC), Crystal Powell (AGT/NBC) and Melendez. The show will be hosted by actress Jessica Camacho (All Rise/CBS) and feature actor Rene Rosado (The Connors/ABC) as a special guest.

CARIBBEAN QUEENS
The other show, the Spanish-language Reinas de la Risa, will feature female comics from the Caribbean region including Cheddy García, Zulema Cruz, Jaquelio Estrella, Jinita Luciano and Melendez. Actor Anderson Mercedes (Botija) will host. Comedian and actor Jochy Jochy (Bemberé) will open with a repertoire of jokes and also serve as producer.

“With this series, I wanted to continue to give talented women a platform to reach audiences worldwide,” says Melendez, the co-creator and producer.
The series will include a show starring African American comediennes. Black Girl Magic will feature Brooklyn Jones, Alycia Cooper, Just Nesh, Kelly Kellz and Ashima Franklin, with the latter also hosting.

All three specials will be directed by Ramon Monchi Herrera (Locos por la Playa) and produced by Erica Barrabi and Julia Carias Linares. Also, Douglas Santiago, Thomas Echavarría and Armando Guareno will join as associate producers.

“In these specials, we are merging two genres—travel and comedy—to create a perfect entertainment mix for these trying times,” says Semerjyan, the executive producer, in an apparent reference to the COVID crisis. The production will follow international pandemic guidelines, according to the filmmakers.

WOMEN FRONT AND CENTER’
“Maverick Entertainment is proud to support women in comedy,” says Doug Schwab, president of Maverick Entertainment. “We look forward to releasing these stand-up specials showcasing multicultural women front and center.” 

Maverick has worked with Melendez before, distributing the comedienne’s Hot Tamales Live! which she co-starred with Loni Love and Eva Longoria.

The three one-hour specials will be filmed back-to-back with an audience consisting of resort guests. The shows are expected to be ready for distribution in August, although it isn’t clear if they will be packaged together or separately.

Featured Photo: Kiki Melendez (Credit: Latin Hollywood Films)

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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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The Omni Cultural TV Fest (OCTVF) in partnership with NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) announced today that submissions for 2020 are now open.  

Filmmakers that submit early will have a head start in getting their projects seen by industry executives. The festival acts as a bridge to merge content creators with industry professionals.

Submissions in all genres of Television will be accepted: TV Pilots, TV sizzle reels (scripted and non-scripted), short-form web series, TV movie trailers, foreign language TV sizzle reels, student submissions, animation, and talk shows.

Produced by Kiki Melendez of Latin Hollywood Films and Cindy Cowan Entertainment, this unique multicultural platform for independent content producers provides an avenue for promoting new ideas in all genres for television and OTT platforms.

Thus far, the festival has been instrumental in getting five projects distributed through ShortsTV, a distribution deal through Maverick Entertainment, meetings with Abrams Artists Agency, pitch meetings with Cindy Cowan and with All 3 Media, and requests for content from the prominent networks and studios such as Disney and Viacom. NATPE has also designated an OCTVF tab on their website so that buyers will have easy access to view the 2019 selections and winners in all the categories.

In its inaugural event at the landmark Egyptian Theater this past May, OCTVF made an indelible impact on the industry receiving a 5-star rating and garnering critical acclaim from filmmakers, sponsors, partners, executives, and attendees.

This year OCTVF will be going on tour through Miami, NYC, San Francisco, San Diego, and  LA to generate buzz prior to the grand event which is set for the first week of June 2020.

Omni Cultural TV Fest is a one of a kind visual expo for emerging producers to showcase their work on the big screen in front of legitimate buyers.

Please visit Omniculturaltvfest.com and/or FilmFreeway.com for more information on submissions. Omni Cultural TV Fest is a subsidiary of Latin Hollywood Films Inc.

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More than 2,000 industry professionals and filmmakers attended the all-day event that connects diverse and emerging producers with industry professionals and distributors

Omni Cultural TV Fest (OCTVF) in partnership with NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) announced that the first showcase on May 1, 2019, at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood was a complete success. With hundreds of industry professionals and filmmakers attending the all-day screenings and panel discussions, all are excited for next year.

Produced by Kiki Melendez of Latin Hollywood Films and Cindy Cowan Entertainment, this unique multicultural platform for independent content producers provided an avenue for promoting new ideas in all genres for television and OTT platforms.

“NATPE is always seeking new ways to elevate emerging producers via connectivity and education. The OCTVF is a wonderful example of how we can invest and support this passionate and diverse community,” said JP Bommel, President and CEO of NATPE.

The all-day event featured screenings of more than 73 selections. Panels included: Content Programing and Development with Network Executives, Directing, Writing, Distribution, and Diversity and Inclusion for Television with A-list executives and talent.

“One of the greatest experiences of my life,” said Ursula Vari, filmmaker. “I won valuable connections and experiences with like-minded filmmakers and had deep conversations with industry executives. It’s an incredible platform for my work. Everyone is there to be of service to under-represented talent.”

Award categories included: Best Animation, Foreign Language, Student Submissions, Short Web Series, Comedy Special, Movie Trailer, TV Sizzle Reel Scripted and Unscripted, TV Pilots, Drama, Comedy. The Corporate Responsibility award went to Latasha Gillespie, Exec Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Amazon Studios for her generosity and support for this initiative. The Lifetime Achievement went to Executive Producer, Peter Engel who inspired the audience with two standing ovations.

“This is the first cultural event our company, Comedy Dynamics, has partnered with and it was fantastic. The panels and content were eye opening and outstanding,” said Griffin Gmelich, Head of Distribution for the Nacelle Company.

Among the stars attending the red carpet and afterparty were Don Stark, Adrian Dev, Peter Engel, Tiny Lister, Sofia Milos, Joni Bovill, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Zulay Henao, Guy Ecker, Freddy Giorlando and Sheldon Reynolds. Andy Vargas (lead singer for Santana) performed with his band Souleros, along with Lilly Hernandez and her Cuban Jazz Band.

Omni Cultural TV Fest in Partnership with NATPE Reaches Thousands at Inaugural Showcase for TV and OTT Distribution

For complete list of the winning projects CLICK HERE

The winners of the competition in their respective categories, as well as the awards to Engle and Gillespie, were handed out to a packed house at in the Reigler at the Egyptian Theater. Actor Yancey Arias was on hand to help with the presentations. and were handed out in the Main sponsors included The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism West Coast Region, DGCINE (The Dominican Republic Film Commission), Maverick Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Story Rocket, Soluna Events, and SG Promotions.

The Industry response was overwhelmingly positive about the selections and programs that were screened at the TV Fest. To further assist the filmmakers, NATPE  is working on a dedicated portal for Omni Cultural TV Fest Selections 2019, which will be accessible to program executives, buyers, distributors, OTT platforms, and others. Stay tuned for that announcement.

Independent producers who are interested in getting their content in front of content buyers are encouraged to visit the OmniCultural TV Fest website for more information at www.omniculturaltvfest.com.

Follow Omni Cultural TV Fest on Social Media on IG: @Omniculturaltv #Omniculturaltvfest

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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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Latin Hollywood Films, in partnership with the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), have partnered in the inaugural Omni-Cultural TV Festival (OCTVFF), a unique multicultural platform and opportunity for independent content creators and producers to showcase their ideas for television and Over-The-Top (OTT) distribution. The TV festival will take place on May 1, 2019 at the world famous Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles.

Joining Melendez at the NATPE conference this January to announce and promote the OCTVFF partnership where some of the co-founders of the Omni-Cultural TV Festival who include: Julia Carias-Linares, Melinda Cea; Lino Garcia and Meling Macias Toro; all seasoned producers and network executives who bring their knowledge and experience to ensure its success.

The Omni-Cultural TV Festival is the brainchild of President/CEO of Latin Hollywood Films Kiki Melendez. In 2016 the “proof of concept” event that was the genesis of the Omni-Cultural TV Fest was produced by her company Latin Hollywood films produced the Multicultural Television Sizzle Reel Upfronts which screened eight new pilots for network and studio executive.

The 2016 “upfronts” provided an opportunity for network and studio executives to be exposed to the work of independent producers who do not usually have the opportunity to get their content seen by individuals who can actually help take their content to the next level. Several of the project screened did, in fact, find additional funding and/or domestic and international distribution.

Now Melendez has partnered with NATPE with the mission to connect diverse emerging independent producers with industry professionals and distributors who can buy and sell content.

“We aim to give a hand up to those with brilliant ideas of filmmakers that may not have access to the right contacts. We believe the next big hit on television can come from anyone.” Melendez tell us. “We believe diversity is key in entertainment and pride ourselves on having representatives from all platforms, ethnic groups, and cultural backgrounds. 

The OCTVFF is a one-day event where in addition to the screening of selected pilots, independent TV content producers will also have informational panels, access to industry professionals and resources to move their projects forward; a unique opportunity unmatched anywhere in the country.

“NATPE believes the vibrant community of emerging producers, those who are passionate about the industry and creative in their content, are the future of our media business”, said JP Bommel President and CEO of NATPE. “We are pleased to support Latin Hollywood Films ,in presenting this unique platform, where diverse creators showcasing their work will be well-served by the Festival’s opportunities for potential distribution and co-production agreements.”

A Blue-Ribbon Panel of respected industry professionals consisting of showrunners, buyers, distributors and established actors who will screen submissions and determine best-in-class for recognition.

For more information: CLICK HERE

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