Check out photos from the event below!
Members of Lupe Ontiveros's family in attendance at the event, included: Elias Ontiveros (Lupe's husband), Jr., Elias P. Ontiveros (Lupe's son) and Nicholas Ontiveros (Lupe's son). They each expressed their deep gratitude and appreciation to Josefina López and the event organizers for paying tribute Lupe and perpetuating her name and legacy with the establishment of the new scholarship in her name.
Among those on hand from the film, "Real Women Have Curves" attending the event were: Josefina López (Co-Screenwriter); Patricia Cardoso (Director); Marilyn R. Atlas (Co-Producer); Ingrid Oliu (actress who played the role of Estela Garcia); Soledad St. Hilaire (actress who played the role of Pancha) and Sandie Torres (actress who played the role of Doña Carlota). At the conclusion of the film screening, a panel discussion with the filmmakers and cast members was led by Jim Hemphill. The evening was capped with the cutting of three 10th Anniversary cakes celebrating the film's benchmark milestone.
Other notables in attendance at the event included: Miriam Baum, Longtime Manager of the late Lupe Ontiveros; Nailah Conner, Alumni Coordinator, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts; Emmanuel Deleage, Executive Director, Casa 0101 Theater; Marlene Dermer, Executive Director and Programmer, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and Event Co-Sponsor; Carey Fox, Male Star of Josefina López's upcoming film, "Detained in the Desert;" Suzanna Guzmán, Metropolitan Opera Company Mezzo-Soprano, KCET Television Host for the weekly series, "Open Call" and Faculty Member of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts; Marabina Jaimes, Actress from "Fixing Paco;" George Simpson, Principal of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and Iliana Sosa, Director of Josefina López's upcoming film, "Detained in the Desert."
The film, "Real Women Have Curves" won a Special Audience Award for director Patricia Cardoso at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival 10 years ago, while the stars of the film, America Ferrera and Lupe Ontiveros won the first ever Jury Award for Acting and the film's screenwriters, Josefina López and George LaVoo, won the Humanitas Prize for Screenwriting. In addition, Lupe Ontiveros won an Imagen Award as Best Supporting Actress and producer Effie Brown won the Producers Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. America Ferrera was also nominated for Best Debut Performance for the 2003 Independent Sprit Awards. The film also won Special Recognition from the National Board of Review, a Youth Jury Award for director Patricia Cardoso from the San Sebastián Film Festival, a Grand Jury Prize nomination from the 2002 Sundance Film Festival for director Patricia Cardoso and a Young Artists Awards nomination for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Actress for America Ferrera. The film launched the career of Ferrera who went on to become a Golden Globe Award, Emmy Award and Screen Actors Award-winning actress in the popular television show, "Ugly Betty."
Josefina López is currently developing the musical version of "Real Women Have Curves" for Broadway.
Photo credit: Ed Krieger
Josefina Lopez, Creator, Playwright and Co-Screenwriter of "Real Women Have Curves"
Patricia Cardoso, SAndy Torres, Soledad St. Hilaire, Ingrid Oliu, Marilyn R. Atlas, Josefina Lopez, Elias P. Ontiveros, Elias Ontiveros, Jr. and Nicholas Ontiveros
Creator, Playwright and Co-Screenwriter of "Real Women Have Curves," Josefina Lopez with the film's director Patricia Cardoso
Marilyn R. Atlas, Soledad St. Hilaire, SAndy Torres, Josefina Lopez and Ingrid Oliu
Author, Playwright and Co-Screenwriter, Josefina Lopez and Co-Producer, Marilyn R. Atlas
Emmanuel Deleage and Josefina Lopez
Josefina Lopez, Marabina Jaimes and Ingrid Oliu
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