Latino Books into Movies Awards • Los Angeles • October, 2011
Many of us would love to see more movies being produced that star Latinos and feature Latino themes. Realizing that many movies start with a great book, Latino Literacy Now has created a second competition within the framework of its International Latino Book Awards: the Latino Books Into Movies Awards
We've added a new category to the Latino Books into Movies Awards: It's the Biography or Bio-Pic category. Here in the USA far too few Latino bio-pics have ever been made. In an effort to help create more we've added this category to the awards. Click here for the new application.
The first annual Latino Books into Movies Awards were held during the 2010 Evening With The Authors at the Golden Eagle Ballroom, California State University, Los Angeles, on October 9, 2010 as part of the 2010 Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival. The 2010 Festival with 56 seminars, 52 entertainment presentations and over 180 Latino authors was a success with the many attendees both days.
The judges included a wide variety of entertainment industry professionals including producers, directors, screenwriters, marketing professionals, and film financers. The judges were Carla Aragón, Kevin Bender, Benjamin Esparza, Paul Espinosa, Evelina Fernandez, Jackie Gil, Marcos Gonzalez, Danny Haro, Bel Hernandez, Dave Mendez, Luis Orozco, Gabriel Reyes, Baldemar Rodriguez, Carlina Rodriguez, Jose Luis Valenzuela, and Margarita de la Vega-Hurtado. Kirk Whisler and Jim Sullivan oversaw the awards process. The awards are designed to help change the way Hollywood views Latinos and were awarded by Edward James Olmos, Dennis Hernandez, and Kirk Whisler.
In the movie category of Action & Adventure First Place went to America Libre by Raul Ramos y Sanchez, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group. This book was a real favorite with the judges. One stated, “I would really like to see this book as a movie. I liked this book a lot and think that it can definitely be a movie with many interesting characters and conflicts. Very thought provoking and in many ways educational.” Second Place went to Piloto, Migrant Worker to Jet Pilot by Henry Cervantes, Hellgate Press/PSI Research. Judges stated they would like to see Jesse Garcia or Esai Morales in the lead. Honorable Mentions went to Mr. Clean & the Barrio by David Bueno-Hill, Urbano Books and True Tales from Another Mexico by Sam Quinones, University of New Mexico Press.
In the category of Animation, First Place went to There’s a Coquí in My Shoe! by Marisa de Jesús Paolicelli, Chi Chi Rodriguez Books. The judges suggested Jose Feliciano and Rita Moreno as voices for this movie.
In the category of Comedy, First Place went to Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group. The judges suggested America Ferrera or Eva Mendes as the lead.
In the category of Documentary, First Place went to Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life by Mary J. Andrade, La Oferta Publishing Company. This book was favored by all judges – including one producer that said she’d love to film this project. Second Place went to Aim High Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women by Laura Contreras-Rowe, Laura Contreras Rowe Inc.
In the category of Drama, First Place went to Across a hundred mountains by Reyna Grande, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster. One of the judges stated, “Across a hundred mountains is a compelling, must see story that would make for a perfect movie.” Another stated they could see Selena Gomez in the lead. Second Place went to Homeboy’s Soul: Pride, Terror & Street Justice in America by Don Armito and Fred Stawitz, Publish America.
In the category of Kids & Family, First Place went to Meant to Be: The Right Place, The Right Time by Rutino Lara, Tate Publishing. One judge said that A. Martinez would be good in the role of Tino. Anther stated, “This book could definitely be a movie. Lots of interesting parts and it is insipiring.” Second Place went to Soccer’s Story & A Futbol Fable by Gil Sperry, Amigo del Mar Press.
In the category of Romantic Comedy, First Place went to The Heartbreak Pill by Anjanette Delgado, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster. Second Place went to Operation Familia by Donna Del Oro, Floricanto Press.
In the category of Suspense or Mystery, First Place went to The Case Runner by Carlos Cisneros, Arte Publico Press. One judge saw Jacob Vargas in the role of Alex. Another judge stated, “John Grisham movies have done well, no reason this shouldn’t if it is done the right way. Plus the setting of South Texas and the cultural bent would make it interesting.”
Winning books will be distributed to pertinent Motion Picture Studios, Producers, and Agents, depending on genre. Winners agree to supply an additional 10 books (minimum) to assure proper distribution. Awards will not necessarily be given in each category that receives entries; only books that the judges feel merit being made into a movie will be judged a winning entry. Winning entries will be presented as the Book by a Latino Author Most Likely to be Made into a Suspense or Mystery Movie (insert appropriate category).
The deadline for nominations for the 2011 awards is July 15. Download the forms below. If you have any questions please contact Kirk directly at 760-434-1223.
We've added a new category to the Latino Books into Movies Awards: It's the Biography or Bio-Pic category. Here in the USA far too few Latino bio-pics have ever been made. In an effort to help create more we've added this category to the awards. Click here for the new application.
The first annual Latino Books into Movies Awards were held during the 2010 Evening With The Authors at the Golden Eagle Ballroom, California State University, Los Angeles, on October 9, 2010 as part of the 2010 Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival. The 2010 Festival with 56 seminars, 52 entertainment presentations and over 180 Latino authors was a success with the many attendees both days.
The judges included a wide variety of entertainment industry professionals including producers, directors, screenwriters, marketing professionals, and film financers. The judges were Carla Aragón, Kevin Bender, Benjamin Esparza, Paul Espinosa, Evelina Fernandez, Jackie Gil, Marcos Gonzalez, Danny Haro, Bel Hernandez, Dave Mendez, Luis Orozco, Gabriel Reyes, Baldemar Rodriguez, Carlina Rodriguez, Jose Luis Valenzuela, and Margarita de la Vega-Hurtado. Kirk Whisler and Jim Sullivan oversaw the awards process. The awards are designed to help change the way Hollywood views Latinos and were awarded by Edward James Olmos, Dennis Hernandez, and Kirk Whisler.
In the movie category of Action & Adventure First Place went to America Libre by Raul Ramos y Sanchez, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group. This book was a real favorite with the judges. One stated, “I would really like to see this book as a movie. I liked this book a lot and think that it can definitely be a movie with many interesting characters and conflicts. Very thought provoking and in many ways educational.” Second Place went to Piloto, Migrant Worker to Jet Pilot by Henry Cervantes, Hellgate Press/PSI Research. Judges stated they would like to see Jesse Garcia or Esai Morales in the lead. Honorable Mentions went to Mr. Clean & the Barrio by David Bueno-Hill, Urbano Books and True Tales from Another Mexico by Sam Quinones, University of New Mexico Press.
In the category of Animation, First Place went to There’s a Coquí in My Shoe! by Marisa de Jesús Paolicelli, Chi Chi Rodriguez Books. The judges suggested Jose Feliciano and Rita Moreno as voices for this movie.
In the category of Comedy, First Place went to Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group. The judges suggested America Ferrera or Eva Mendes as the lead.
In the category of Documentary, First Place went to Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life by Mary J. Andrade, La Oferta Publishing Company. This book was favored by all judges – including one producer that said she’d love to film this project. Second Place went to Aim High Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women by Laura Contreras-Rowe, Laura Contreras Rowe Inc.
In the category of Drama, First Place went to Across a hundred mountains by Reyna Grande, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster. One of the judges stated, “Across a hundred mountains is a compelling, must see story that would make for a perfect movie.” Another stated they could see Selena Gomez in the lead. Second Place went to Homeboy’s Soul: Pride, Terror & Street Justice in America by Don Armito and Fred Stawitz, Publish America.
In the category of Kids & Family, First Place went to Meant to Be: The Right Place, The Right Time by Rutino Lara, Tate Publishing. One judge said that A. Martinez would be good in the role of Tino. Anther stated, “This book could definitely be a movie. Lots of interesting parts and it is insipiring.” Second Place went to Soccer’s Story & A Futbol Fable by Gil Sperry, Amigo del Mar Press.
In the category of Romantic Comedy, First Place went to The Heartbreak Pill by Anjanette Delgado, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster. Second Place went to Operation Familia by Donna Del Oro, Floricanto Press.
In the category of Suspense or Mystery, First Place went to The Case Runner by Carlos Cisneros, Arte Publico Press. One judge saw Jacob Vargas in the role of Alex. Another judge stated, “John Grisham movies have done well, no reason this shouldn’t if it is done the right way. Plus the setting of South Texas and the cultural bent would make it interesting.”
Winning books will be distributed to pertinent Motion Picture Studios, Producers, and Agents, depending on genre. Winners agree to supply an additional 10 books (minimum) to assure proper distribution. Awards will not necessarily be given in each category that receives entries; only books that the judges feel merit being made into a movie will be judged a winning entry. Winning entries will be presented as the Book by a Latino Author Most Likely to be Made into a Suspense or Mystery Movie (insert appropriate category).
The deadline for nominations for the 2011 awards is July 15. Download the forms below. If you have any questions please contact Kirk directly at 760-434-1223.
Movie Awards • 3445 Catalina Drive • Carlsbad, CA 92008
2010 Latino Books Into Movies Award Winners
