Add it to your watchlist, stream it on release day, and tell your friends. Let’s make some noise for this joyful rom-com and show the industry that Latino voices, Latino love stories, and Latina creators belong front and center in Hollywood.

A Dream Decades in the Making

This is not just another rom-com. Say a Little Prayer is one of the very few romantic comedies written and produced by Latina women—a long-awaited project that writer-producer Nancy De Los Santos has been working to bring to life for over 20 years. Inspired by her grandmother’s advice to pray to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost things, because her “husband was lost” when she was still unmarried at 35, the film mixes humor, heart, and tradition into a story that feels both timeless and fresh.

For De Los Santos, this premiere is the culmination of persistence and passion. Latina romantic comedies are still a rarity in Hollywood, making this wide release especially meaningful. Produced by Cristina Nava of Migrant Filmworks, with Edward James Olmos and Luis Fonsi also on board as executive producers, the film delivers a joyful, authentic Latina perspective rarely seen in mainstream rom-coms.

Directed by Patrick Perez Vidauri, the film follows three inseparable best friends—Adela (Vannessa Vásquez), Ruby (Jackie Cruz), and Cristina (Vivian Lamolli)—who recite an ancient prayer to St. Anthony in their quest for true love. But what begins as a playful ritual turns into a whirlwind of unexpected events that test their friendships and transform their lives.

“Romantic Comedies are making a comeback,” said director Vidauri. “Audiences want to see beautiful people falling in love. Especially in a place as cinematic as San Antonio, with it’s one-of-a-kind Tejano culture.”

Adding star power and musical magic, Say a Little Prayer also marks the acting debut of Grammy Award–winning superstar Luis Fonsi (“Despacito”), who not only stars in the film but also contributes the original song “Prayer in Your Eyes,” co-written with Grammy-winning songwriter Josh Kear. The ensemble cast includes Mexican acting legend Angélica María (House of Flowers), Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon), and Chris Kattan (Saturday Night Live).

For the filmmakers and Latino audiences, this is more than just a movie—it’s proof that audiences want diverse stories on screen. But it will take audiences who love rom-com movies and who want to see Latinas on screen to watch the film and make sure to share and to support Say a Little Prayer. This is a powerful way to support Latina storytellers and open the door for more projects like this to be made.

Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned, and operated motion-picture company that develops, produces, and distributes innovative feature films.

The post With A ‘Prayer’ and Luis Fonsi This Rom-Com Hits Streamers and VOD Sept 26th first appeared on .

De Los Santos and Nava, both members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), are the writer and producer, respectively, of Say a Little Prayer, with an all-Latino lead cast,including Luis Fonsi, Vannessa Vasquez, Jackie Cruz, Vivian Lamolli, and Angélica María, capturing the rich and diverse experiences of Latinx communities, making a profound impact on the film landscape. 

Nancy De Los Santos was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago and headed for trouble. She left Catholic high school for public high school and joined a Latina girl gang. One thing led to another, and she turned her life around, graduating from UT Austin and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Nancy began her career in Chicago as producer of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s film review program At The Movies. With her production guidance, the show was nominated for two national Emmy Awards.

She’s worked as Associate Producer on the iconic Latino features My Family and Selena, and written for television shows Resurrection Blvd., American Family, and East Los High. Nancy was invited to Equinox, the Sundance of Europe, where her feature script Answer To My Prayer (Which ultimately became Say a Little Prayer) was work-shopped with writer Nora Ephron. Nora invited Nancy to submit for the theatre production “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”. Nancy’s personal story about her old gang sweater was accepted for the play, which has been staged in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Mexico City, proving the adage… “It all comes around…”

As the first Latina elected to the Board of Directors at the WGA, De Los Santos’ contributions to the industry have not gone unnoticed. The Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF) will honor her with the prestigious “Trailblazer in Screenwriting Illustrious Award” for her pioneering work, talent, and commitment to helping the Latino community exemplify those who are changing the narrative. The award ceremony is scheduled for April 27, 2025, during the 2025 Mexican-American Film and Television Festival and Awards to be held at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood.

Nava is a producer, screenwriter, and director who made her directorial debut with the award-winning film Free Lunch in 2024. She also collaborates with her husband, Patrick Perez Vidauri, at Migrant Filmworks, which they founded in 2011. They are dedicated to producing innovative content for the growing U.S. Latino market. Additionally, they are founding members of a collective of mid-career filmmakers based in the U.S. committed to advancing, accelerating, and amplifying Latino-American storytelling.

Cristina Nava is co-founder of Migrant Filmworks overseeing development and production. A veteran screenwriter and producer of film and television, she has supervised massive international television series, as well as intimate feature films. She has produced shows for Nickelodeon, Telemundo, and many more.  As a member of the Writers Guild of America,  Cristina enjoys the challenge of adapting client’s ideas into fully formed screenplays.  In 2020 Cristina took the client’s original concept and developed,  wrote and produced the romantic comedy  Divorce Bait starring Vannessa Vazquez (East Los High) and Justin Berti (Secret Lives of Housewives). This movie was acquired by the Samuel Goldwyn Company after a bidding war with Lionsgate.

Two visionary filmmakers whose innovative projects inspire audiences and are redefining cinematic storytelling that includes Latinos.

The post Recognizing Filmmakers Nancy de Los Santos and Cristina Nava on Women History Month first appeared on .

Say a Little Pray Will Stream on Apple TV+ and Prime Video This Valentine’s Day

Grammy Award-winning artist, Luis Fonsi has a lot love to share this Valentine’s Day. He made his acting debut as the romantic lead in the film Say a Little Prayer which is now set to make its video-on-demand premiere on Apple TV+ and Prime Video starting February 14, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Migrant Filmworks and New Cadence Productions have announced that the film will be on VOD following a successful limited theatrical run over the holidays last year when it screened in more than 120 theaters across the U.S. and the Caribbean, Say a Little Prayer is now set for its digital debut.

After reciting an ancient prayer the three “amigas” embark on a sacred mission to find their true love. What comes next is the story of Say a Little Prayer, which resonated among audiences when it had its theatrical release in November.  Audiences gave the film a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (a site where audiences can cast their vote for their favorite film). Say a Little Prayer truly resonated with audiences making  it a “must see” movie on Valentine’s Day and beyond!

The film stars Vannessa Vásquez (Divorce Bait), Jackie Cruz (Orange is the New Black), and Vivian Lamolli (Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies), alongside Fonsi. The supporting cast includes Angélica María, Pepe Serna, and Chris Kattan, adding depth and humor to the story.

Set in the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, the film follows Adela (Vásquez), an art gallery owner; Ruby (Cruz), a social media influencer; and Cristina (Lamolli), a school teacher. When the trio performs a special prayer that promises to lead them to their soulmates, romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways, taking them on an emotional rollercoaster of love, self-discovery, and friendship.

A major highlight of the film is Luis Fonsi’s involvement, not only as an actor but also as a musician. His song The Prayer In Your Eyes serves as the film’s title track, adding an emotional resonance that enhances the storytelling.

Director Perez Vidauri spoke highly of his time working with Fonsi, “It was an honor and a pleasure to direct Luis Fonsi in this picture. He is a natural. He’s a lifelong performer and an amazingly authentic artist with a pure heart. It was important to all of us to bring this inclusive, Tejano-flavored story to life. I’m proud to help shine a light on Latino culture in the U.S. and hopefully enrich our cinematic tapestry.”

The film is produced by Cristina Nava of Migrant Filmworks and De Los Santos, with Edward James Olmos and Fonsi serving as executive producers.

Audiences can look forward to a heartfelt and entertaining film that celebrates love, culture, and the power of friendship.

The post Luis Fonsi Shares The Love On Valentine’s Day In ‘Say A Little Prayer’ first appeared on .

Over the weekend, a Variety reviewer called the film Say a Little Prayer “…a well-intentioned but ordinary Latino Romantic Comedy.” I respectfully disagree with that assessment—and not just on one count, but two.

It’s Anything But Ordinary

Let’s talk about “ordinary.” By definition, ordinary means “with no special or distinctive features; normal.” But there is nothing “normal” about Say a Little Prayer, a rom-com written by Nancy de Los Santos and directed by Patrick Perez. In fact, it breaks new ground as the first English-language romantic comedy centered on U.S. Latinas in over 30 years. That alone makes it extraordinary.

There are very few Latina actresses who have starred in rom-coms over the years. Jennifer Lopez is one of them and she has starred in over eight of them including Maid in Manhattan, The Back-Up Plan, Shotgun Wedding, but those films rarely explored their characters’ heritage or culture. While those characters occasionally had Latina names, their identities were largely incidental to the story. By contrast, Say a Little Prayer is unapologetically rooted in Latina identity, making it a unique entry in the rom-com genre.

A Genre of Its Own

What sets Say a Little Prayer apart is that it’s not a “Latino Romantic Comedy”; it’s a U.S. LATINA Romantic Comedy. That distinction is crucial. The film speaks directly to U.S. Latinas, claiming space in a genre that hasn’t fully embraced their stories. Representation matters, and this movie reminds us why.

It’s clear the film didn’t resonate with the reviewer, and that’s fine. Not every movie is made for everyone. But it’s important to recognize that this film was created with a very specific audience in mind: women, especially Latinas, who love family-centered and relationship-driven stories. Research into rom-com audiences shows that 85% of viewers are women aged 18 to 44, a group that gravitates toward romantic and heartfelt narratives. For these viewers, especially U.S. Latinas, Say a Little Prayer offers a chance of seeing themselves authentically represented on screen is a rare and deeply meaningful experience.

A Love Letter to San Antonio

The reviewer also critiqued the film’s setting, writing, “Every frame in the film could serve as a glossy tourism campaign encouraging viewers to visit the lovely city of San Antonio. Pérez Vidauri and cinematographer Mario Gallegos miss no chance to feature the famous River Walk and other landmarks.”

And the problem is?

San Antonio isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in the story. Its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and scenic beauty make the setting feel authentic and alive. Incorporating these elements only enhances the film’s charm and grounds it in the experiences of many U.S. Latinas while celebrating the beauty of a city that many call home.

Representation Matters

It’s 2025, and it’s about time that U.S. Latinas see themselves in leading roles, especially in non-stereotypical stories about love and self-discovery. As the saying goes, “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” For younger generations, films like Say a Little Prayer are vital—they normalize seeing Latinas as complex, relatable, and worthy of center stage.  This isn’t just another rom-com—it’s a celebration of U.S. Latina identity and culture.

A Story Rooted in Real Life

The story behind Say a Little Prayer is as inspiring as the film itself. Screenwriter de Los Santos loosely based the plot on her own experience in her 30s, when her grandmother, concerned that she was still not married, gave her the San Antonio de Pauda prayer, telling her that her “husband was lost and the prayer would help her find him.” That moment sparked a 25-year journey to bring this story to life.

De Los Santos has always been dedicated to telling Latina stories, serving as an associate producer on Mi Familia and Selena with strong Latina characters, and writing Gotta Kick It Up (2002), a Disney Channel TV movie about a Latina-centric school dance team. Say a Little Prayer is the culmination of that passion and determination—a film that celebrates U.S. Latinas and their place in the world of romantic comedies.

Over the weekend, de los Santos attended several opening weekend screenings around L.A. At a Norwalk screening in East L.A. she told the audience, “Realizing that we were not on screen, made me angry. It made me angry that I did not see myself on the screen. So that anger turned into passion,” she said to hoots. “And, a Latina with passion cannot be stopped,” she said to cheers from the audience. “And, a Latina with passion cannot be stopped,” she concluded to thunderous applause.

A Bold Step Forward

Judging from the many sold out screenings at the AMC theaters around the country in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston and several more, the movie definitely captured a specific audience. As of this writing, the box office numbers are not in yet, but one thing is certain, Latinas came out to support. Feeling represented in this film, organizations and individuals organized groups at various theaters and took to social media to have their say.

Say a Little Prayer is far from ordinary—it’s a bold step forward for Latina representation in Hollywood. It’s a film that embraces culture, identity, and love, proving that there’s nothing “normal” about being groundbreaking. For U.S. Latinas and rom-com fans alike, this movie is a much-needed breath of fresh air.

Cast: Vannessa Vasquez, Luis Fonsi, Jackie Cruz, Vivian Lamolli, Angélica María. Produced by: Cristina Nava, Nancy De Los Santos-Reza. Executive producers: Edward James Olmos, Luis Fonsi, Belinda Vela Reyna, Rowland S. Reyna, Dorene Dominguez, Sol Trujilo, Jeff Valdez, Patrick Perez Vidauri. Gil Elbaz.

Distributed by: New Cadence Productions

The post Say a Little Prayer: A U.S. Latina Rom-Com That Breaks the Mold first appeared on .