Joseph Castillo-Midyett and Adrienne Acevedo Lovette Win at NYLFF

Award-winning creator/writer/actor Joseph Castillo-Midyett and Award-winning Latina director/producer Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, win the top prize of “Best Futuro Series” for their coming-of-age pilot THIS BOY’S VIDA (MADE IN AMERICA) at the prestigious New York Latino Film Festival, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, founded by HBO and sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal, Telemundo, MAX and Regal. 

Previously This Boy’s Vida was awarded the Top Prize for “Dramatic Pilot Writing” (Joseph Castillo-Midyett) and the prestigious Caz Matthews Award at their recent SeriesFest world premiere. In 2019, This Boy’s Vida’s concept trailer won “Best Trailer” at NYLFF. 

This Boy’s Vida (Made In America) Series Logline: With the help of his imaginary future self, an American Latino boy who dreams of being an actor turns "Robin Hood" to feed his starving sisters, until the system catches up with him and forces him to choose between his family or dreams.

“This film is an American story, not only a Latino story, that all Americans can relate to. It shines a light on poverty and the willpower it takes to make dreams possible. It’s about the underdog pure and simple. Creator/Writer Joseph Castillo-Midyett was brave enough to write his story, to inspire others who come from a similar world, and to remind us that with extraordinary determination you can dictate your future.  Joe and I couldn’t have done it without our powerhouse producers Gisela Chípe and Heidi-Marie Ferren who also act in the film. My vision for this film, showing the love, grit, and authentic lives of these characters, would not have been possible without this incredible cast and crew.”, says director Adrienne Acevedo Lovette. 

Director and Producer Adrienne Acevedo Lovette (Puerto Rican-Taíno) is also known for her acting work and will be seen later in the season of The Penguin on MAX, and the new season of The Equalizer on CBS this year. Other credits include Better Call Saul, Ray Donovan, Law & Order, Fosse/Verdon, and The Deuce. As a filmmaker, she is a SXSW Audience Award Winner and Sundance Collab Film Challenge Winner. 

Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, and Actor Joseph Castillo-Midyett (Nicaraguan-Mexican American) can be seen in Marvel’s She-Hulk, and Jessica Jones, as well as the ever-popular Fear The Walking Dead, Will Trent, Law & Order, The Equalizer, and The Tutor. His writing has been optioned by a major publisher and he is deeply committed to telling the stories of people like him, who fought and still fight for their American dream.

Producer and Actor Gisela ChÍpe (Equadorian-American born in Brazil) TV credits include Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Manifest, There She Goes, and The Equalizer. Gisela has also appeared on Broadway in Selina Fillinger’s POTUS, off-broadway, and in regional theatres all over the country. 

Producer, Writer, and Actor Heidi-Marie Ferren (Cherokee/Sioux-Polish-American) recently wrote on the Shonda Rhimes’ Emmy-nominated ABC series Station 19 and is a 2023 Disney/ABC Fellowship recipient, a member of the Native American Media Alliance’s Showrunner Program, and a finalist for the Sundance episodic program. Recent acting credits include General Hospital, American Housewife, Bored to Death, BUMs, Carolina Caroline, and the Geffen’s Beyond the Barracks.

Cast members include Catherine Curtin (Stranger Things), Nathalie Sepulveda (The Penguin), Sofie Nesanelis (Blood Harvest), Joseph Castillo-Midyett (She-Hulk), Gisela Chípe (The Equalizer), Heidi-Marie Ferren (Station 19) and introducing Sebastian Montañez. Cinematography by award-winning cinematographer Dustin Ward. 

This Boy’s Vida is ecstatic to continue their festival run with screenings throughout the world. To learn more about future screenings, or how to support this important project, email them at: thisboysvida@gmail.com.
 

Left to right: Sebastian Montañez and Joseph Castillo-Midyett

Photo Credit: House of Booked

Photo: Adrienne Acevedo Lovette

Picture Credit: Nicole Howell

Photo: Gisela Chípe

Picture Credit: Joe Pachote M.

Photo: Hiedi-Marie Ferren

Photo Credit: HMF