Get ready to press play on the latest Spotlight Dorado lineup of short films from rising Latino and Hispanic filmmakers. Starting today, audiences nationwide can visit SpotlightDorado.com to immerse themselves in three distinct projects stemming from the latest edition of the short film contest.
The finalists are: Marissa Díaz’s adventure-filled Mexican standoff, “Fancy Florez’s Summer Staycation,” Kryzz Gautier’s virtual reality romance, “Chimera,” and Pablo Riesgo’s satire sci-fi, “Cuando Volvimos A La Tierra.” Fans can vote for their favorite film until February 11 to help determine the grand prize winner.
- “Fancy Florez’s Summer Staycation” by Marissa Díaz
For ten-year-old Fancy Florez, it’s all in the name. She wants the finer things in life and puts in the work to manifest the greatest summer staycation ever, even if it means standing up to her archenemy. This slice of life comedy is a peek into all the ups and downs that come with girlhood. - “Chimera” by Kryzz Gautier
Exploring obsession and how technology enables us, Chimera tells the story of Kian Zarrido, a talented virtual reality developer who leads a double life after recreating her ex-girlfriend in VR yet continuing her relationship with her fiancée in real life. - “Cuando Volvimos A La Tierra” by Pablo Riesgo
A reimagining of the legend of the astronaut and Native American, CVALT is set to take viewers on a mission to Mars through the eyes of Marcel, an ultra-rich man with lofty dreams who encounters two unexpected guests that desire a better life.
Fans can visit SpotlightDorado.com/vote to watch the films and vote for their favorite.
The short films are making their debut amid ongoing underrepresentation of Latinos and Hispanics in the entertainment and film industry. Recent findings from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study, supported by Spotlight Dorado, reveal that less than 5% of directors from major motion pictures between 2007 and 2022 were Hispanic/Latino. By supporting pivotal research and rising storytellers, McDonald’s is helping drive inclusivity while reaffirming its commitment to the diverse communities it serves.
”As part of our commitment to giving back to the diverse communities we call home, we are proud to support opportunities that help drive inclusivity and change,” said Ryan Worthy, Content and Culture Director at McDonald’s USA. “With Spotlight Dorado, McDonald’s has been able to use its scale to amplify pivotal research and create opportunities for Latino and Hispanic storytellers – and the results speak for themselves. We’re so proud of the outstanding talent showcased by this year’s Spotlight Dorado finalists. They have a bright future and we can’t wait to see what else is in store for them.”
The grand prize winner of this year’s program will be announced in March. For more information on the program, visit www.spotlightdorado.com.