Co-founders Cindy Cowan And Kiki Melendez Host The Multicultural Fest Produced by Latin Hollywood Films

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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Standard Submissions Deadline Feb. 16, 2020

The mission of Omni Cultural Tv Fest 2020 in Partnership with NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives), is to connect diverse emerging independent producers with industry professionals and distributors who can buy and sell content. The success of last year’s OCTVF/NATPE has propelled this one of a kind event, to expand to one of the most prestigious locations  in Hollywood and will take place on June 14^th, 2020.

This a one of a kind, all inclusive visual expo bringing together emerging content producers with established legitimate buyers of broadcast, cable and streaming platforms at the event. A much needed platform that celebrates diversity and inclusion!

This year,  the festival has added a rapid pitching session competition. Thirty scripts will be selected to have a one-on-one pitch with network executives, production companies and studios.

The festival accepts all genres of television such as 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.

The Omni Cultural TV Fest’s industry are comprised of top broadcast TV, streaming and cable platforms executives searching for fresh and exciting untold stories.  

The selected submissions will be screened by industry executives, and all attendees will be able to attend the public screenings on the day of the festival.  There will be panel Q&A’s, networking opportunities, a red carpet, and an after party.

“The 1st annual Omni Cultural TV Fest was a wonderful culmination of filmmakers, investors, and tv viewers alike. It gave my film “Badge of Honor” the opportunity to be viewed by the best in the independent market and was sold to Shorts TV, said indie producer Brandon Davis. “We are very thankful to have been apart and hope to be involved this coming year at the 2nd annual Omni Cultural TV Fest. Thank you to Kiki Melendez, her team, & especially NAPTE!!” 

Last year, the festival received a unanimous 5 star rating from festival attendees’ in the areas of: Quality, Value, Communications, Hospitality, Networking and Overall. 

“The Industry has been incredibly supportive of our innovative platform and this year more network executives, studios and production companies are taking part in our grand event as well as becoming part of the Judging panel and advisory  board,” said Kiki Melendez Festival Founder. Award winning producer Cindy Cowan (Miracle on 42nd Street) is co-founder of Omni TV Fest and a long time established industry professional.  Melendez and Cowan lead the team of 30 staff that makes the festival thrive.  

Eight submissions from last year’s Omni Cultural TV Fest were able to secure distribution deals, and many others were able to secure pitch meetings with some still in negotiations.

The impressive Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges as well as the production team can be found on the website. 

To find out all the information on how to submit or buy tickets for Omni Cultural Tv Fest 2020 please go to www.OmniCulturalTvFest.com

Early submissions are encouraged as there are limited spaces available.  

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Omni Cultural TV Fest 2020 Returns Spring 2020
Submissions Period Opens June 30, 2019

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

The post Omni Cultural TV Fest Success Prompts NATPE To Commit to 2nd Annual in 2020 first appeared on .

Cindy Cowan is a big deal in the filmmaking business. She has produced some of the biggest studios films in Hollywood with some of the most well-known A-listers through IEG, the production company she co-founded with Graham King.  During her tenure as president, IEG had successes that included an Emmy nomination for Rent-A-Kid; Emmy, Golden Globe and People’s Choice nominations for If These Walls Could Talk; and Oscar-winning Traffic starring Michael Douglas and Benicio del Toro.

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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