Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Hispanic Performers and Filmmakers

Every year from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated across the United States to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the U.S..

To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Hispanic directors, actors, and producers and highlighted must-see projects they’ve worked on with GreenSlate, including inspiring dramas, laugh out loud comedies, intense thrillers, and groundbreaking nonfiction content.

Oscar Isaac

Actor Oscar Isaac was born Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada in Guatemala City, Guatemala to a Guatemalan mother, María Eugenia, and a Cuban father, Oscar Gonzalo Hernández-Cano. He is most known for his work in Ex Machina, Inside Llewyn Davis, and A Most Violent. 

Must-See Client Project: The Card Counter

“Redemption is the long game in Paul Schrader’s THE CARD COUNTER. Told with Schrader’s trademark cinematic intensity, the revenge thriller tells the story of an ex-military interrogator turned gambler haunted by the ghosts of his past decisions.”

Rosario Dawson

Actor Rosario Dawson was born in New York City. Her mother, Isabel Celeste, is of Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban descent. She is most known for her work in Rent, The Lego Movie, and Unstoppable.

Must-See Client Project: Top Five

“Though he began in stand-up comedy, Andre Allen hit the big-time as the star of a trilogy of action-comedies about a talking bear. Andre is forced to spend the day with Chelsea, a profile writer for the New York Times, whose film critic has just panned Andre's passion project. Unexpectedly, Andre opens up to Chelsea as Andre tries to get back in touch with his comedic roots.”

Antonio Campos

Director Antonio Campos was born in New York City to Brazilian father Lucas Mendes, and Italian mother Rose Ganguzza. He is most known for directing films such as Martha Marcy May Marlene, Afterschool, and The Devil All the Time. 

Must-See Client Project: The Devil All the Time

“In Knockemstiff, Ohio and its neighboring backwoods, sinister characters converge around young Arvin Russell as he fights the evil forces that threaten him and his family. The Devil All The Time renders a seductive and horrific landscape that pits the just against the corrupted.”

Edward James Olmos

Actor Edward James Olmos was born in East Los Angeles to Mexican parents Eleanor and Pedro Olmos. He is most known for his roles in Battlestar Galactica, Selena, and Bladerunner. 

Must-See Client Project: Windows on the World

“An immigrant’s son takes an epic journey from Mexico to New York City as he searches for his father who was an undocumented worker in the World Trade Center, and has disappeared after 9/11. Along the way, he finds love and befriends an eclectic group of international characters that help him restore his faith in humanity, as he discovers the hard truths about his father, the melting pot of America, and the immigrant experience.”

The Kid Mero

Writer/Producer Joel “The Kid Mero” Martinez was born in Washington Heights, New York City to Dominican immigrant parents. He is most known as the co-host of Desus & Mero, but has also had roles in Vampires vs. The Bronx and Star vs. The Forces of Evil. 

Must-See Client Project: Desus & Mero

“Desus & Mero, the Bronx’s very own, reconnected online in the early days of Twitter, where they unleashed their potent personalities and found themselves kindred spirits. The quick-witted duo brings a distinct voice to late night, delivering smart and comedic commentary on any and all topics that keeps audiences buzzing.” 

Armando Espitia

Actor Armando Espitia was  born in Mexico City. He is most known for his roles in Heli, Our Mothers, and I Carry You With Me. 

Must-See Client Project: I Carry You With Me*

“Based on true love, this decades spanning romance begins in Mexico between an aspiring chef and a teacher. Their lives restart in incredible ways as societal pressure propels the couple to embark on a treacherous journey to New York with dreams, hopes, and memories in tow.”

John Leguizamo

Actor John Leguizamo was born in Bogotá, Colombia to Luz and Alberto Leguizamo. He is most known for his roles in The Pest, Romeo + Juliet, and Super Mario Bros. 

Must-See Client Project: John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons

“John Leguizamo embarks on an outrageously funny, frenzied search to find a Latin hero for his son’s school history project. From a mad recap of the Aztec empire to stories of unknown Latino patriots of the Revolutionary War and beyond, Leguizamo breaks down the 3,000 years between the Mayans and Pitbull into 91 irreverent and uncensored minutes above and beyond his unique style.”

Demián Bichir

Actor Demián Bichir was born Demián Bichir Nájera in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. After getting his start in telenovelas, he became known for his roles in The Hateful Eight, A Better Life, and most recently Godzilla vs. Kong. 

Must-See Client Project: Walden: Life in the Woods

“Walden: Life In The Woods is a radical re-imagining of Henry David Thoreau’s classic ‘Walden.’ Taking place over twenty-four hours, the film interlaces three contemporary narratives about the trappings of 21st century life and the unlikely heroes who dream dangerously of escape.“

Los Tigres Del Norte

Los Tigres Del Norte is a popular norteño band based out of San Jose, California, made up of 5 members (Jorge Hernández, Hernán Hernández, Eduardo Hernández, Luis Hernández, Óscar Lara). The group has won 7 Grammy Awards, 6 Latin Grammy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Must-See Client Project: Los Tigres Del Norte in Folsom Prison Documentary

“Los Tigres del Norte performed at Folsom Prison, 50 years after Johnny Cash’s famous performance. The concert and its documentary show the power of music to heal as well as the power of regret and redemption. It's a lesson in doing the right thing, for the right reason, by Los Tigres del Norte, one of the most popular bands on either side of the border.”

*U.S. payroll processed by GreenSlate