You couldn’t deny the heat Friday as the Critics Choice Association’s 6th annual Celebración of Cinema & Television brought together an impressive lineup of performers, filmmakers and industry insiders for well-deserved recognition, pride and plenty of star power in Beverly Hills.
Hosted by CCA member and co-programmer Clayton Davis, with fellow CCA member Amanda Salas, the October 2 luncheon event at the Four Seasons hotel honored a diverse group of artists whose work continues to expand the visibility and influence of Latino and Hispanic voices in entertainment.
The honorees included John Leguizamo, who received the Career Achievement Award for more than four decades of work across film, television, comedy and theater. The Emmy winner, Special Tony Award recipient and four-time Tony Award nominee was introduced by acclaimed director Gregory Nava.
Leguizamo’s career has included everything from Carlito’s Way and Romeo + Juliet to the Ice Age franchise, along with his recent appearance in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and the acclaimed Bob Trevino Likes It.
Judy Reyes received the Trailblazer Award, recognizing a career that has taken her from Scrubs and Devious Maids to Claws, Birth/Rebirth and her current role as Lt. Selena Soto on ABC and Hulu’s High Potential. She is also back in the world of Scrubs, which returns for a second season.
Oscar Nuñez took home the Vanguard Award, with his return to the role that made him a fan favorite—Oscar Martinez—in Peacock’s The Paper. The actor originated the character on The Office and has brought Oscar back for the new series.
The event also celebrated the creative forces behind the camera.
Academy Award-nominated producer Rodrigo Teixeira received the Producer Award for NEON’s Paper Tiger, adding to a résumé that includes Call Me by Your Name and the Oscar-winning I’m Still Here. Director James Gray, who has collaborated with Teixeira three times, introduced him.
Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, better known as Los Javis, received the Director Award for Netflix’s La Bola Negra. The pair behind Paquita Salas, La Mesías and Veneno recently won Best Director at Cannes for the multigenerational drama inspired by an unfinished work by Federico García Lorca. The film features an all-star cast including Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close.
James Ortiz received the Innovator Award for his work on Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary. The actor and master puppeteer brings the film’s scene-stealing alien companion Rocky to life opposite Ryan Gosling, providing both the puppetry and voice. Ortiz was also behind the Tony-nominated Broadway production The Skin of Our Teeth.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph introduced Aimee Carrero, who received the Supporting Actress Award – Series for Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors. Carrero has also become widely known as the voice of Elena, Disney’s first Latina princess, in Elena of Avalor, as well as for She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and The Menu.
Horror filmmaker Jason Blum presented Beth de Araújo with the Breakthrough Director Award for Josephine. De Araújo made history at Sundance by taking home both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for the film, which stars Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan and newcomer Mason Reeves.
Inde Navarrette, honored with the Breakthrough Actress Award – Film for Obsession, couldn’t attend in person but sent a video acceptance after Aubrey Plaza introduced her via video. Navarrette’s performance helped turn the Focus Features horror hit into a $495.5 million worldwide box-office phenomenon.
Laysla De Oliveira rounded out the acting honors with the Breakthrough Actress Award – Series for Paramount+’s Lioness. She has held her own alongside Zoe Saldaña and Morgan Freeman throughout Taylor Sheridan’s espionage thriller, following her character from Marine recruit to Delta Force operator to CIA contractor.
Beyond the individual awards, the event offered a reminder of the breadth and influence of Latino and Hispanic storytellers across the entertainment landscape.
“To honor this remarkable class of Latino and Hispanic artists is nothing short of a gift,” Davis said, pointing to the joy, defiance and cultural impact being brought to the screen by the community.
The celebration continued at the official after-party, co-hosted by LatiNation Media, giving honorees, presenters and guests a chance to mingle and toast a celebración that put Latino and Hispanic achievement rightfully in the spotlight.
