The Critics Choice Association has unveiled the honorees for its sixth annual Celebración of Cinema & Television, set for October 2 in Beverly Hills. The roster spotlights Latino and Hispanic artists and industry figures whose recent work — from blockbuster films to acclaimed streaming series — is shaping awards season and mainstream attention.
This year’s slate mixes lifetime achievement recognition with awards for rising talent, honoring careers that span theater, film, television and technical innovation. The selections underscore both commercial impact and festival-level acclaim, signaling wider industry recognition for diverse storytellers.
- John Leguizamo — Career Achievement Award: celebrated for a decades-long body of work and his notable turn in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
- Judy Reyes — Trailblazer Award: recognized for a wide-ranging career and lead work on ABC/Hulu’s High Potential and the revived Scrubs.
- Oscar Nuñez — Vanguard Award: honored for his ongoing television career, including his role in Peacock’s The Paper (season two returns Sept. 9).
- Rodrigo Teixeira — Producer Award: acknowledged for his string of acclaimed projects, including Neon’s Cannes-selected Paper Tiger.
- Javier Calvo & Javier Ambrossi (Los Javis) — Director Award: awarded for Netflix’s sprawling drama La Bola Negra, which has already drawn Cannes attention.
- James Ortiz — Innovator Award: recognized for his puppetry and voice work as Rocky in Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary.
- Aimee Carrero — Supporting Actress Award (Series): honored for her performance in Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors.
- Beth de Araújo — Breakthrough Director Award: noted for Josephine, a Sundance 2026 standout that won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award.
- Inde Navarrette — Breakthrough Actress Award (Film): recognized for her breakout lead in Focus Features’ hit horror Obsession.
- Laysla De Oliveira — Breakthrough Actress Award (Series): honored for her rising role across all seasons of Paramount+’s espionage drama Lioness.
John Leguizamo will receive the event’s highest career honor after a span of roles that cross genres and platforms — from early breakout parts in studio films to recent attention for his portrayal in Nolan’s tentpole. Industry observers say recognition like this often cements legacy narratives ahead of award-season conversations.
Judy Reyes is being celebrated as a versatile lead and ensemble presence. Her work on High Potential helped that show quickly establish itself in ABC’s lineup, while the return of Scrubs has renewed interest in a character she inhabited for nearly a decade.
Oscar Nuñez has remained a steady television presence, and his role in Peacock’s The Paper — a series that spun out of his earlier television character — keeps him in the awards conversation as the show heads into a new season.
On the production side, Rodrigo Teixeira brings a résumé of international and festival successes. His recent project Paper Tiger premiered at Cannes and is slated as the opener for the New York Film Festival, signaling both critical and institutional backing.
Los Javis — Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi — continue to expand their international profile. Their adaptation and direction on La Bola Negra earned them Cannes recognition and a cast that mixes established stars with new faces.
In a different creative lane, James Ortiz is being singled out for technical and performative innovation. His puppetry work in Project Hail Mary turned a nonhuman character into an awards-eligible presence, drawing attention to the craft behind such creations.
Aimee Carrero and Beth de Araújo represent two very different but equally consequential breakthroughs: Carrero for a nuanced ensemble role that helped an Emmy-nominated series gain traction, and de Araújo for a Sundance double win that positions her film as a major directorial debut.
Inde Navarrette and Laysla De Oliveira reflect how genre and serialized storytelling can launch profiles quickly — Navarrette through a horror phenomenon and De Oliveira through sustained dramatic work on a streamer’s hit series.
The Critics Choice Celebración of Cinema & Television is produced by Hammond Infante Productions (Javier Infante, Madelyn Hammond and Ella Carlson).
Critics and industry insiders say these honors do more than celebrate individual achievement: they help bring Latino and Hispanic voices to the center of year-round awards conversations, influence streaming and theatrical promotion strategies, and highlight where the industry is investing in diverse talent.
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Hello, I’m Declan. I share my film reviews and discoveries with you to enrich your moviegoing experience.