Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, but their stories account for less than 1% of those that make it to Hollywood’s big screens.

With these numbers in mind, scholarships, grant funds and contests to support Latin talent behind and in front of the camera become an absolute necessity.

Created in April 2022 by McDonald's in collaboration with Ben Lopez from the consulting firm L21 Consulting and the The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Spotlight Dorado is one such program that seeks to showcase the work of young Latinos thirsting for a professional future in film. At the same time, the contest advocates for a greater community representation in the entertainment industry.

The initiative calls for Latin writers, producers and directors to submit their short film scripts with a fresh perspective on the Latin experience.

The call for submissions closed on June 10, 2022 and the Golden Spotlight Evaluation Committee subsequently reviewed more than 100 entries. The jury, composed of renowned members of the film world, valued originality, creativity, direction, writing, cinematography, production value, and chose three finalists. They are writer and director Jazmín Aguilar, Mexican-American writer and director Jesús Celaya and comedian, filmmaker and professional soccer player Lorena Russi.

The finalists

Aguilar’s short film, called Kid Ugly, combines European-style spaghetti westerns with contemporary shonen anime in an adventure-filled plot centered on a young bandit named Lazlo.

“With both his resilience and ingenuity, Lazlo seeks to teach the town outlaw, Bottle Tooth Guapo, a lesson,” the synopsis reads.

Celaya, meanwhile, presented Lucha Noir, a film-noir piece driven by classic American comics and Mexican wrestling culture.

“A wrestler and an otherworldly villain face off in an epic battle inspired by classic Luchador films, while exploring the dichotomy between good and evil,” according to the brief.

A History of Sitting in Waiting Rooms is the title of Russi’s short film. This semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy follows a butch Latina's journey of self-discovery alongside her Colombian immigrant parents and her best friend — a ghost from the Civil War. A History of Sitting in Waiting Rooms explores the meaning behind the waiting rooms in which the lead is forced to sit, including the closet from which she eventually emerges.

Awards and mentorships

As Spotlight Dorado finalists, Aguilar, Celaya and Russi received a $75,000 production budget to bring their stories to life. In the process, they will be mentored by well-known actress Stephanie Beatriz, director Carlos López Estrada, showrunner Llana Peña, actress Danay García, and writer/director Nancy C. Mejía.

Popular vote in November

Kid Ugly, Lucha Noir and A History of Sitting in Waiting Rooms will premiere in November on Spotlight Dorado's website. The public will have the chance to vote for their favorite short film and choose a grand prize winner. 

The winner of the contest will have the opportunity to work at McDonald’s USA in 2023 on future creative campaigns for a full year.