Prepare to hit play on the freshest Spotlight Dorado selection of short films crafted by emerging Latino and Hispanic filmmakers. From today onwards, viewers nationwide can explore three unique projects at SpotlightDorado.com, each stemming from the latest installment of the short film contest. These include Marissa Díaz’s action-packed Mexican standoff, “Fancy Florez’s Summer Staycation” by Florez, Kryzz Gautier’s virtual reality romance, “Chimera,” and Pablo Riesgo’s satirical sci-fi, “Cuando Volvimos A La Tierra.” Voting for the preferred film is open until February 11, allowing fans to influence the selection of the grand prize winner.
The unveiling of these short films occurs against the backdrop of the underrepresentation of Latinos and Hispanics in the entertainment and film industry. Recent research findings from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, supported by McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado, underscore the persistent issue both behind the scenes and on-screen. The study reveals that less than 5% of directors in major motion pictures between 2007 and 2022 were Hispanic/Latino, with only five of them being women.
This disparity extends beyond directors to on-screen representation, where a mere 4.4% of lead or co-lead roles feature Hispanic/Latino actors. The latest research emphasizes the pressing need for a more inclusive film landscape.
By championing groundbreaking research and nurturing emerging storytellers, McDonald’s actively contributes to fostering inclusivity while reaffirming its dedication to the diverse communities it serves.
Ryan Worthy, Content and Culture Director at McDonald’s USA, expressed the company’s commitment, stating, “As part of our commitment to giving back to the diverse communities we call home, we are proud to support opportunities that help drive inclusivity and change.” Worthy further highlighted the impact of Spotlight Dorado, emphasizing McDonald’s ability to leverage its scale to amplify critical research and create avenues for Latino and Hispanic storytellers.
Since being named the top three finalists last summer, McDonald’s empowered these talented filmmakers with a collective budget of $225,000 to bring their short films to life. Each filmmaker also received personalized mentorship from industry leaders, including Grammy®-winning artist and Golden Globe® and Emmy® nominated actor Anthony Ramos, actress Danay Garcia, comedian, writer, actor, and producer Al Madrigal, director Carlos López Estrada, and writer-director Nancy Mejía.
