Spotlight Dorado 2023
Latino Storytellers Get Their Opportunity with Spotlight Dorado 2023
In this edition of Hispanic Lifestyle we spoke with writer, director, producer, Tejana, Marissa Diaz and McDonald’s franchise Victor Quiroz about the Spotlight Dorado Project. Ms. Diaz is a finalist in the Spotlight Dorado project which was created to empower and amplify aspiring Hispanic voices across different industries, starting off with film. The project is funded by McDonald’s Inc. Hispanic Lifestyle’s interview took place via zoom. I setup at a McDonald’s restaurant which seemed appropriate given the topic.
ABOUT PROJECT DORADO
Through Spotlight Dorado, McDonald’s is using its influence and scale to help advocate for Latino and Hispanic representation in film. Our goal is to provide these talented storytellers with the platform, financing, and distribution to produce their films, while receiving invaluable mentorship from renowned industry leaders to help bring their stories to life and advance their careers.
Spotlight Dorado underscores McDonald’s long-standing commitment to championing the Latino and Hispanic community’s diverse culture and rich heritage through purpose-driven initiatives that fuel Hispanic pride and representation. For more than three decades the Golden Arches has given back and connected with the Hispanic community through initiatives in music, education, and sports, as well as supporting local charities and organizations. All these actions aim to uplift the voices and stories of Hispanics across the U.S.
Now entering its second consecutive year, the McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado short film contest continues to advocate for underrepresented filmmakers while taking actionable steps towards fueling new voices and driving change for Latinos and Hispanics in the film industry. The contest is free to enter and open to all U.S. Hispanics regardless of experience, age, or background.
SEGMENT NOTES
Marissa Díaz is a Writer, director, producer, Tejana. Marissa’s work has been featured on HBO, Fox Searchlight, MGM Studios, Bravo TV, Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions.
Victor Quiroz is a McDonald’s Owner/Operator of seven restaurants in California.
Gloria Calderón Kellett is an award-winning writer, producer, director and actress, best known for her work on Emmy-winning sitcom “One Day at a Time” and critically acclaimed Amazon Original series, “With Love”. The latter is the first series coming out of an overall deal between her company, Glonation and Amazon Studios. Along with Blumhouse Television and Spotify, Glonation is also producing “The Horror of Dolores Roach” based on the hit Gimlet podcast reuniting her with star Justina Machado.
Beyond her work both in front and behind the camera, she is involved in various advocacy groups relating to encouraging gender parity and uplifting Latine talent in Hollywood. These groups include ReFrame, the UNTITLED LATINX PROJECT (in which she was a founding member), The NHMC, and the Creative Coalition. She also recently partnered with the Latinx House/Adelante to support up and coming Latina directors to help them have set experience on her show WITH LOVE. She also launched a “Hollywood 101” web series with Buzzfeed’s PeroLike, where she offers free advice to new artists beginning their entertainment careers. She is also an Executive Committee Member of the Television Academy.
Awards for her work include The Television Academy Honors, The Geffen TrailBlazer Award, Mental Health America Media Award, ALMA Award, Imagen Award, Vanguard Award, NHMC Award, Sentinel Award, and The Voice Award. She has been honored as an industry leader by The Hollywood Reporter in their Top Women in Entertainment issue, the THR100 list issue, and their 50 Agents of Change issue.
