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Deets: Amazon Studios today announced Amazon Studios VOICES/VOCES: An Entertainment Celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, a one-day virtual event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and highlighting the many contributions to entertainment from the Latiné community. The event will take place on September 30, 2021 and will include multiple group panels and a set from Puerto Rican comedian Gina Brillion celebrating the richness, diversity and beauty of Latiné communities, and conversations that will dive deep into Latiné representation in film and media over time, as well as celebrate the changing narratives and what is to come. The event will be available to stream on Amazon Live and Amazon Studios DEI Twitch.
This event is a celebration and further discovery of the diverse and powerfully rich culture of 60M+ people living in the United States. Together they represent more than 22 countries that have been labeled as “Hispanic” by the US Census. Yet there is a lot of complexity in trying to fit this diverse, non-monolithic group under any one label. Many refer to themselves as Latino, others feel more comfortable being referred to as Latinx or Latiné. And many identify themselves through their country of origin i.e., “mexicana”, “puertorriqueño”, “colombiano” or through their indigenous communities including, Bene Xhon’s, Yucatan Mayans, etc.
Amazon Studios’ Voices is about diving deep into entertainment industry data, having honest conversations, and aligning on actions to amplify and cultivate stories from historically excluded story-tellers and creators of races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and religious backgrounds. Each external Voices event dives deep into a community (and their intersections), and highlight data, conversation, and community. Past Amazon Voices events are available here: https://dei.amazonstudios.com/voices/
Thursday, September 30 Line-Up:
9:00-9:07 AM PT | Welcome, Kickoff & Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Latasha Gillespie, Global Head of DEI, Amazon Studios and IMDb
9:07-9:17 AM PT | Lightning talk: Who We Are… Hispanic, Latino, Latiné, Latinx, Afro-Latino, Indigenous, Understanding the breadth and depth of the community
Speaker: John Leguizamo, Actor, Writer, Producer, Activist
9:20-9:45 AM PT | Industry Conversation: Content Across Borders
Conversation with Amazon’s head of Spanish-Speaking Latin American Content, and head of Brazilian Content. Discussing how the originals are resonating in the US and across borders.
Malu Miranda, Producer & Head of Originals Brazil, at Amazon Studios
Javiera Balmaceda, Head of Local Originals, Spanish Speaking Latin America at Amazon Studios
Lorenza Munoz, Sr. Global Awards Executive at Amazon Studios, Moderator
9:48-9:51 AM PT | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Remarks
Rep. Joaquin Castro, CHC
9:51-10:41 AM PT | Panel Discussion: Conversation: The Evolution of Latiné Representation on Screen
A candid conversation discussing how Latiné representation has changed over time on screen, in writers rooms, and among creative teams. While some communities have seen increased representation, this panel will dive deep into where the narrative still needs to be improved – particularly around colorism and the inclusion of the afro Latinidad – and how everyone in the industry can work to make change.
Gloria Calderón-Kellett (Producer & Writer, With Love, One Day At A Time)
Yolanda Guillen (Sr. Executive of Casting, Amazon Studios)
Laz Alonso (Actor, The Boys)
Clayton Davis (Film Awards Editor, Variety), Moderator
10:43-11:00 AM PT | Comedy Set from Gina Brillon
Puerto Rican comedian Gina Brillion brings her hilarious New York-bred stand up style to Voices in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Gina Brillon, Comedian
Who You May Spot:
Participants include:
John Leguizamo, Actor, Writer, Producer
Gloria Calderón-Kellett (Showrunner, Executive Producer & Writer, With Love)
Yolanda Guillen (Sr. Executive of Casting, Amazon Studios)
Laz Alonso (Actor, The Boys)
Clayton Davis (Film Awards Editor, Variety)
Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Gina Brillon, Comedian (The Floor is Lava and finalist on America’s Got Talent)
Malu Miranda, Producer & Head of Originals Brazil, at Amazon Studios
Javiera Balmaceda, Head of Local Originals, Spanish Speaking Latin America at Amazon Studios
Lorenza Muñoz, Sr. Global Awards Executive at Amazon Studios
Hint For The Average Socialite: Register below!
Can’t make it in person? Check out some virtual events from the safety of your home!
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