Uýra: The Rising Forest by Juliana Curi.
GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization aiming to demonstrate the value of representation and inclusion, has announced the nominees for its 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards, which include a handful of Latinx and Latin American titles.
Competing for the Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Cuban-American trans writer-director Aitch Alberto. Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz's Young Adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe centers on the friendship between two teenage Mexican-American loners and their struggles with racial and ethnic identity, sexuality, and family relationships. Set in 1987 El Paso, Aitch Alberto’s film is a tender exploration of a new, unusual friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery.
The dramatic biopic Cassandro by Roger Ross Williams was nomimated In the Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV category. Starring Mexican actor Gael García Bernal and Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, the dramatic biopic Cassandro follows the true story of Saúl “Cassandro” Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso who rose to international stardom in the Ciudad Juárez lucha libre scene. In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. After having its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Cassandro is now streaming on Prime Video.
Red, White, and Royal Blue, the directorial debut by gay Puerto Rican playwright, director and screenwriter Matthew Lopez is also competing for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV. The film American romantic comedy based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston depicts a developing love affair between the son of the president of the United States and a British prince (Nicholas Galitzine). The film stars Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, along with Clifton Collins Jr., Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson, Stephen Fry, and Uma Thurman, who appear in supporting roles.
Also in the same category Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV category, George Wolfe historic drama Rustin was nominated. The film stars gay Afro-Latinx actor Colman Domingo, of Belizean and Guatemalan descent. in the title role of Bayard Rustin, an advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., who dedicated his life to the quest for racial equality, human rights and worldwide democracy. However, as an openly gay Black man, he was all but erased from the civil rights movement he helped build. Domingo was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for this performance, becoming only the second openly gay man to earn a nomination for playing a gay character.
And the Brazilian film Uýra: The Rising Forest by Juliana Curi nabbed a nomination for Outstanding Documentary. The film, which had its broadcast premiere on PBS’ acclaimed documentary series POV, follows a trans-indigenous artist who travels through the Amazon forest on a journey of self-discovery using performance art and ancestral messages to teach indigenous youth and confront structural racism and transphobia in Brazil.
Curis' documentary leads a rising movement while fostering unity and providing inspiration for the LGBTQIA+ and environmental movements in the heart of the Amazon Forest and has won the Special Programming Award for Freedom at Outfest: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
The winners of the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards will be announced in two different ceremonies. A California-based one, taking place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on March 14, followed by a second, NYC ceremony at The New York Hilton Midtown on May 11.
