Spotlight Dorado 2022
Spotlight Dorado’s inaugural short film competition was the stuff that movies are made of! With hundreds of entries from Latino storytellers across the country, a panel of incredible mentors and Hollywood insiders, and a Hollywood ending for one visionary filmmaker, our first season had it all.
Lucha Noir by Jesus Celaya
On a rainy night, a Luchador Investigator stalks upon a house with a mysterious owner. The two of them begin a deadly chess game of words and ideas. Truths are laid bare, secrets are uncovered, and it is soon realized that this dangerous game of chess may actually be at the center of a much older, greater conflict…the one between Heaven and Hell.
Jesus Celaya
Jesus Celaya is a Mexican American film & TV writer and director. Jesus was raised between the mountains of Washington State and the deserts of border country Sonora, Mexico until settling in Los Angeles for film school at the Brooks Institute. His feature script “Chico Grande” was the winner of Best Feature Screenplay in the Fresh Voices competition. Most recently, his feature film project “Chalino” got selected for the 2020 Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Labs where he was awarded the Latinx Fellowship. He is also taken part in Film Independent Project Involve as this year’s Writer/Director Fellow.
More Episodes
EP1: The Launch
Hundreds of submissions, a treasure trove of new ideas, and the chance to be the next leading Latino voice in Hollywood. This is what Spotlight Dorado is all about.
EP2: The Semifinalists
Meet the 10 semifinalists of Spotlight Dorado’s inaugural short film competition!
EP3: The Surprise Reveal
And then there were three. The Spotlight Dorado finalists get a surprise reveal from actress Stephanie Beatriz.
EP4: Meet the Finalists
What does it mean to be a finalist? Hear from the talented filmmakers, who now get the opportunity to produce their short films and compete for the grand prize.
EP5: Production Orientation
It’s down to business for Jazmin Aguilar, Jesus Celaya, and Lorena Russi. Our three finalists meet with Ben Lopez, production consultant, to begin prepping for the production of their short films.
EP6: Pre-Production of Films
Decisions, decisions. From casting to location scouting to script review, our finalists get ready for lights, camera, acción!
EP7: Production of Films Pt. 1
14 days of production. It is ON for our finalists!
EP8: Production of Films Pt. 2
And… action! Go behind the scenes as our storytellers bring their stories to life.
EP9: Post-Production of Films
With outstanding mentors like Nancy Mejía and Carlos López Estrada, our finalists were in good hands at every stage of production.
EP10: The Final Stretch
The final three short films are ready for the most important phase of Spotlight Dorado: your vote!
More Episodes
EP1: The Launch
Hundreds of submissions, a treasure trove of new ideas, and the chance to be the next leading Latino voice in Hollywood. This is what Spotlight Dorado is all about.
EP2: The Semifinalists
Meet the 10 semifinalists of Spotlight Dorado’s inaugural short film competition!
EP3: The Surprise Reveal
And then there were three. The Spotlight Dorado finalists get a surprise reveal from actress Stephanie Beatriz.
EP4: Meet the Finalists
What does it mean to be a finalist? Hear from the talented filmmakers, who now get the opportunity to produce their short films and compete for the grand prize.
EP5: Production Orientation
It’s down to business for Jazmin Aguilar, Jesus Celaya, and Lorena Russi. Our three finalists meet with Ben Lopez, production consultant, to begin prepping for the production of their short films.
EP6: Pre-Production of Films
Decisions, decisions. From casting to location scouting to script review, our finalists get ready for lights, camera, acción!
EP7: Production of Films Pt. 1
14 days of production. It is ON for our finalists!
EP8: Production of Films Pt. 2
And… action! Go behind the scenes as our storytellers bring their stories to life.
EP9: Post-Production of Films
With outstanding mentors like Nancy Mejía and Carlos López Estrada, our finalists were in good hands at every stage of production.
EP10: The Final Stretch
The final three short films are ready for the most important phase of Spotlight Dorado: your vote!
Spotlight Dorado 2022
The Launch
Hundreds of submissions, a treasure trove of new ideas, and the chance to be the next leading Latino voice in Hollywood. This is what Spotlight Dorado is all about.