Exclusive | 21st annual Impact Awards Gala

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) honored top Latino artists and industry advocates for their contributions to the advancement of Latinos in film and television during its 21st annual Impact Awards Gala, held Feb. 23 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

“The Impact Awards celebrate the exceptional talent that Latino professionals and industry advocates across the country bring to television and motion pictures,” said Alex Nogales, National Hispanic Media Coalition president and chief executive officer. “As Hollywood prepares to congratulate itself on the 90th anniversary of the Oscars®, the Impact Awards also seek to focus attention on the decades during which Hollywood has excluded Latinos from every segment of the industry.”

The awards are a major part of NHMC’s advocacy efforts to increase positive media portrayals of Latinos and increase Latino employment in the film and television industry.

Exclusive photos by Richard Sandoval
[flickr_set id=”72157693028780824″]

IMPACT AWARD HONOREES
Outstanding Performance in a Motion Picture: Aubrey Plaza – Plaza is well known for her role on the Emmy nominated television series Parks and Recreation and will next star in the second season of Noah Hawley’s drama series Legion. She recently starred in and produced Matt Spicer’s critically acclaimed feature Ingrid Goes West, and as a producer, she is nominated for a 2018 Independent Spirit Award for “Best First Feature.”

“I am honored to receive an Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition for my performance in Ingrid Goes West. Their efforts to promote positive portrayals of Latinos in film and television is necessary and inspiring. Every community deserves the best representation of their culture and people, and NHMC does an incredible job to ensure that.” – Aubrey Plaza

Lupe Ontiveros Indomitable Spirit Award: Diane Guerrero – An outspoken advocate for commonsense, comprehensive immigration reform and author as well as an actress, Diane Guerrero is known for her roles as “Maritza Ramos” on the award-winning and Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Netflix series Orange Is the New Black for which she received three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“I am honored to receive the Lupe Ontiveros Indomitable Spirit Award at this year’s National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Impact Awards Gala. The NHMC’s work to establish Latinx representation in the media is inspiring. Thank you for helping ensure we are seen and heard.” – Diane Guerrero

Outstanding Performance in a Television Series: Nicholas Gonzalez – Gonzalez stars as “Dr. Neal Melendez” on ABC’s smash hit hospital drama The Good Doctor and also starred in ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder, Netflix’s Narcos, BET’s Being Mary Jane, and Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars.

“This award from the NHMC is important to me because the role I have won it for was made possible by the work NHMC has been doing since the beginning of my almost 20 years in Los Angeles. To be recognized by the very people you have fought alongside for so long tells me I am right where I want to be.” – Nicholas Gonzalez

Outstanding Motion Picture: Disney*Pixar’s Coco – Since opening in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017, Coco has garnered a Golden Globe Award, Producers Guild Award and two Academy Award© nominations. The Impact Award was presented by Jaime Camil, the voice of the film’s “Papá” character and a 2017 NHMC Impact Award winner.

“Being honored by the NHMC means so much to our entire crew and to our studio. Our goal was to share the wonder of Día de Muertos, while also telling a respectful, universal story about family that people could relate to, regardless of where they lived. We all poured our hearts into this film, never knowing just how much it would mean to the people of Mexico, and to Latinx and Hispanic communities around the world. Representation matters. Everyone should be able to see themselves in the stories of our common humanity. We are thrilled with Coco’s reception and global impact.” – Darla K. Anderson, Producer, Coco

Outstanding Service and Commitment to the Latino Community: Randy Falco – The Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame inductee is President and CEO of Univision Communications, Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America and a diverse American mainstream.

“In the last seven years we have doubled-down and strategically focused our advocacy and empowerment efforts for greater impact, which makes this recognition for Outstanding Service and Commitment all the more special and rewarding. I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of my Univision colleagues who share my passion and devotion for advocacy and for creating access for our community. Univision is a brand that goes beyond simply having resonance with an audience and one that actually embodies the hopes and dreams of that audience. Along with important partners like Alex Nogales and the National Hispanic Media Coalition, we will continue to advocate, inform and work toward increasing opportunities for wider Latino representation in media.” – Randy Falco, President and CEO, Univision Communications Inc.

Outstanding Performance in a Motion Picture: Tony Revolori – Revolori gained international attention with his portrayal of “Zero,” the scene-stealing lobby boy in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. He also was featured in Sony’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

“I’ve been acting all my life and I have worked very hard to get where I am. There have been road blocks and obstacles, but my perseverance triumphed. I’m aware what my role in this industry has played in the hispanic culture, and I’m proud of it. I hope I can open doors for more people like myself, and to be given this award is greatly appreciated in helping that goal.” – Tony Revolori

The evening black-tie gala was emceed by Aimee Garcia, SAG award nominee (Dexter) and series regular on Fox’s Lucifer, and Vladimir Camaño, one of Variety’s 2016 Top 10 Comics to Watch, who co-wrote and starred in A Bronx Life for NBC and is featured in Hulu’s Marvel’s Runaways and NBC’s Superstore.