HispanicBusiness

MIAMI, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hispanicize 2012 today unveiled its line-up of feature length, short and documentary films as well as more than a dozen professional development sessions that together comprise the first annual Hispanicize 2012 National Latino Film Showcase.

"With this inaugural showcase Latino filmmakers and filmmaking officially become a core part of our event's DNA," said Manny Ruiz, organizer and creative director of Hispanicize 2012, the third annual Latino trends event taking place in Miami, April 10-13. The National Latino Film Showcase, a co-production of Hispanicize 2012 with Latin Heat Media and Getty Images Hispanic, is title sponsored by BlackBerry and Diageo. Other sponsors include Cricket Wireless, Starz, Regal Cinemas, Bacardi USA and HATUEY Cuban-Style Ale.

Focus is on Propelling U.S. Latino Filmmakers

"This year's medley of films and sessions represent a strong start to what we feel will be a growing program specifically tailored to advance the careers of U.S. Latino filmmakers and actors," said Roman Morales, the event's film curator. "Hispanicize already gathers so many journalists, bloggers and cultural influencers that it's perfectly positioned to be the launch pad for the careers of many future Latino directors, actors and producers."

Latino filmmakers, producers, actors and their films will be showcased on all four nights of Hispanicize 2012, beginning with the world premiere of Kiki Melendez's The Journey of a Female Comic-La Trayectoria De Una Comediante on April 10th, continuing with Adam Schlachter's drama Hollywood Whores; and Andres Ramirez's thriller Unknowns/Los Desconocidos, as well as others. (The roster of films selected for the showcase is at the end of this release).

Among the filmmakers, actors and celebrities confirmed to attend Hispanicize 2012 are: Steven Bauer (Scarface), Cesar Millian (The Dog Whisperer), Emilio Estefan (19-time GRAMMY-winning Music Producer), Jessy Terrero (director of Gun and Soul Plane), Gina Rodriguez (Filly Brown), Dominik Garcia-Lorido (Magic City), Yul Vasquez (Magic City), Nely Galan (Entrepreneur, The Swan), Pepe Serna (Scarface), Maria Elena Salinas (Univision anchor), Angel Salazar (Scarface), Mauricio Mendoza (Unknowns, Resurrection Blvd.,)and Yeniffer Behrens (Unknowns, Decisions), as well as others.

The stars of this year's film showcase will shine brightest on the Black Carpet Night of Thursday, April 12 sponsored by BlackBerry. The Black Carpet will feature a parade of Latino stars, directors and producers followed by the screening of several films on four screens at South Beach's Regal South Beach Stadium 18. The event's Latino Hollywood after party presented by Diageo will immediately follow the screenings across the street at the world famous 1111 Lincoln Road, South Florida's most famous after party location. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSaQQ7UA4Xs)

On Friday, April 13, Hispanicize 2012 culminates with an unprecedented oceanside screening of the cult-following film classic Scarface featuring stars Steven Bauer ("Manolo"), Pepe Serna ("Angel") and Angel Salazar ("Chi Chi") at the iconic Miami Beach mansion, Villa Vecchia (see the mansion at http://bit.ly/AvMM4u).

The film is being presented by Bacardi, legendary HATUEY Cuban-Style Ale and Cricket Wireless as a benefit and silent auction for ArtesMiami, Inc. a 501C3 the South Florida non-profit organization dedicated to developing South Florida as a cultural center with a special focus on Hispanic culture.