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

The post Omni Cultural TV Fest, Pivots to Virtual Showcases Of Indie Filmmakers’ Work first appeared on .

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.  

The post Your Project in Front of Industry Execs at OMNI Cultural TV Fest in Partnership with NATPE first appeared on .

Andy Garcia Cast in His First TV Broadcast Role

Although Andy Garcia has been offered roles on TV pilots in the past he has always passed, until now,  Garcia will be starring alongside Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live) on NBC’s comedy The Kenan Show. It will be a single-camera comedy with Kenan playing a newly widowed dad striving to be the best dad to his kids and fending off his father-in-law (Garcia), a retired police officer, on becoming more involved in their lives. Garcia on board gives the series more of a liklihood of being picked up.

The pilot is produced by Lorne Michaels and was written by Jackie Clarke (Superstore) both will be executive producing as will be Kenan.

Garcia will soon be seen in an episode of Modern Love on Amazon.  He is repped by CAA.

Freddie Prinze Jr. Back in The Lead

Freddie Prinze Jr. (24) has been cast as the lead in CW’s, as yet untitled, Nancy Drew pilot.  The pilot will revolve around an 18 year-old Nancy Drew (Kennedy McMann) after she has graduated from high school.  When a family tragedy makes it impossible for her to leave her hometown, she finds herself involved in a ghostly murder investigation.  Prinze will play Carson Drew, Nancy’s father as he attempts to reconnect with his daughter.

Prinze, who has been MIA for a few years comes back in full force.  He recently starred as one of the male leads in CBS’s I Mom So Hard for Warner Bros.  Prince is repped by Gersh Agency.

Christy Haubegger Appointed to the Board

It was announced today that media and entertainment executive Christy Haubegger, has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors. Effective March 14, 2019, Haubegger succeeds outgoing board member Michael Nash of Blackstone.

Haubegger has served in multiple senior positions in the publishing and entertainment industries. Most recently, at one of the biggest talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she leads multicultural business development for the agency and provides insights on diverse markets to CAA’s clients.

Prior to her work with CAA, Haubegger founded Latina Magazine in 1996 and served as publisher, president, and CEO until 2001. Additionally, Haubegger has served as a producer on several motion pictures, including Spanglish in 2004. She currently also serves on the board of NYSE-listed company RTW Retailwinds, Inc.

Congrats to PR Extraordinaire Mariluz Gonzalez

Vesper Public Relations, founder Mariluz Gonzalez is featured in Billboard magazine’s article “The PR Ladies Behind Latin Superstars” & the only San Fernando Valley ( L.A.) raised of Mexican origin on the list.

Mariluz Gonzalez was acknowledged for her work in the promotion and marketing of Latin music and entertainment in the U.S. She is responsible for media campaigns of many Fonovisa recording artists (the Regional Mexican powerhouse a division of Universal Music Entertainment) based in Hollywood.

Asked what she has learned as as a Latina business owner, promoting Latin music for over decade, she said: “Over the years I’ve learned not to take myself for granted, [and] not to undervalue my work.”

#LatinosInTheLead #TheFutureIsLatina

The post Andy Garcia in First TV Series Role; Freddie Prinze Back as The Lead; Latinas Moving on Up first appeared on .