Apache brought their post-production coloring techniques to Spotlight Dorado, McDonalds newest campaign that vows to make a change and help amplify the unheard voices of the Latinx community in the film industry.
The spot follows the faces of several young Latinx creatives who have stories to tell with no platform accessible, followed by the introduction of their program, “An initiative to help aspiring Latino filmmakers tell their stories for the world to see.”
Even though Latinos represent nearly 20% of the U.S. population, their stories make up less than 1% of those told by Hollywood.[1] Without mentorship, connections, and financial support, many Latino filmmakers struggle to produce films.
The program kicks off with a short film contest alongside acclaimed actress, director, producer and representation advocate Stephanie Beatriz.
“In the last year, there have been multiple milestones for thoughtful and authentic representations of Latinos in film. Though it’s important to celebrate these strides, there is still much more to be done, especially off-screen,” said Stephanie Beatriz, best known for her role as ‘Mirabel’ in Disney’s Academy Award-winning film, Encanto. “I’m very excited to partner with McDonald’s to give up-and-coming Latino storytellers the opportunity to accurately reflect the different perspectives that make up the Latino experience in the U.S.”
The contest runs through June 3, 2022.
U.S.-based Latino writers, directors and producers can participate in the Spotlight Dorado short film contest by submitting their screenplays and stories to SpotlightDorado.com. Participation in the contest is free.
Three finalists will be awarded a production budget of $75,000 to bring their short films to life and will receive mentorship from industry leaders, including Beatriz and trailblazing Director Carlos López Estrada, among others. Starting this November, the public will have a chance to vote for their favorite short film to help determine the grand-prize winner. The talented winner will also be given a year-long opportunity to work with McDonald’s in 2023 on future creative initiatives and campaigns, and receive one year of industry-standard creative software subscription services.
“We couldn’t be more honored to create this program for talented Latino creators and filmmakers whose stories are often overlooked,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Director of Cultural Engagement, McDonald’s USA. “Spotlight Dorado is representative of our longstanding commitment to feeding and fostering the Hispanic community while amplifying diverse voices. We look forward to seeing Spotlight Dorado resources help bring some very important stories to life for all to experience.”
Apache is a Dolby-certified facility with a primary focus on color and finishing for TV, film and streaming content with years of experience in an ever changing technical landscape.
Credits:
Advertising Agency: Alma
VP, Executive Creative Director: Jorge Murillo
Executive Creative Director: Christian Liu
Associate Creative Director: Martin DeFerrari
Associate Creative Director: Vanessa Castaneda
Senior Producer: Simon Rubalcava
Production Company: Merman
Director: Damiana Acuña
Executive Producer: Kira Carstensen
Producer: Chris Ruiz
Editorial Company: Cosmo Street Editorial
Editor: Kevin Garcia
Producer: Edwina Lantigua
Executive Producer: Idalia Deshon
Post Production Facility: Apache
Colorist: Quinn Alvarez
Color Assistant: Kevin Sian
Head of Production: Stefanie Schaldenbrand
Executive Producer: LaRue Anderson
Audio Post: Lime Studios
Sound Design: Michael Anastasi
Audio Mixer: Zac Fisher
Audio Assistant: Michael Baron
