Paulina Chávez, Edward James Olmos attend the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

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SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles - 27 May 2026

1. Wide (L-R) Edward James Olmos, Paulina Chávez, Jennifer Lopez and Gregory Nava pose for photos

2. Various, Paulina Chávez poses for photos

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Paulina Chávez, actor:

"I'm so very lucky because I have an amazing team, and every role that has come my way has been a three-dimensional character ... Is messy, I mean we're all messy, we're human, and I think that's okay, and I think this new generation too is learning that mistakes is what helps you grow, and it's something that's so important, and so I could ... I think in the beginning of my career I was like, oh there's so much pressure to the right thing, to make sure that I am a good role model. But I also know who I am as a person and who raised me. My parents did a really great job. I mean, my family is everything to me. My community is everything to me. And so I trust myself and I trust what I have to say."

4. Medium Paulina Chávez and Edward James Olmos pose for photos

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Paulina Chávez, actor:

(Reporter: "Right here we're celebrating JLo and we've seen what they've left behind but what do you hope this generation leaves?")

"No more gatekeeping. That's what I do think that this new generation is going to leave behind. The wanting to see other people succeed and there's no hate towards one another. I mean, that's the biggest dream of the world in general is for no more hate to be on this planet. I'm sure it's going to take time, but I think we can accomplish it."

6. Various, Edward James Olmos poses for photos

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Edward James Olmos, actor/LALIFF co-founder -on why he started LALIFF:

"There was really no place where we could explore the culture in film form. There were no film festivals that were really bringing about an understanding of the culture at all. AFI, which is the most outstanding festival and still is one of the most out-standing festivals in America, would maybe play five films, six films, which there's nothing bad with that. I appreciated it. But we needed to bring awareness to the culture and dynamic and bring a sense of self-esteem, self-respect, self worth to the community."

8. Wide Edward James Olmos speaks to reporter

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Edward James Olmos, actor/LALIFF co-founder:

(Reporter: "Do you see kind of your legacy more in the performances that you've done or the doors that you helped open?")

"Oh gosh, I would have to say it's come through the exposure of allowing the exposure of artistry come through. It's much more, to me, it's been much more of a legacy than even my performances. I really appreciate the work that I've done, but the things that I have been able to produce in respect of the Latino youth is one of a kind. Understanding of it is unbelievable to me. The Latino youth, the Youth Cinema Project is one of the most stunning pieces of legacy that I have and it's one of the finest ways of understanding the future by allowing young people from the age of ten all the way up to graduating through high school. Because the Youth Cinema Project is inside of schools ... We're in 25 school districts in California alone. And over thousands of children taken every, the whole school year. And they learned how to communicate, collaborate. Use your critical thinking and use your artistic endeavor."

10. Medium Gregory Nava and Edward James Olmos pose for photos

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Gregory Nava, director:

"And tonight is real special to me, because Jennifer Lopez is getting this well-deserved award. Obviously, I gave her her first role in a movie and cast her as Selena, and I mean, the rest is history. This woman is the greatest Latino star in the history of Hollywood. What she's achieved is beyond imagining. Totally impossible. She deserves 100 awards like this."

12. Medium Gregory Nava and guest pose for photos

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Gregory Nava, director:

"The studio didn't want to cast her because they wanted a known name, you know? But I wanted a talented Latina."

(Reporter: "How did you fight that?")

"We just had open auditions. And she just came in and auditioned for me. And she was so brilliant. I mean, I was like, I want to find a Latino star. And then she comes in and I go, 'There she is.' This is what I've been looking for. And just look what she's done. People say, 'Boy, you made Jennifer.' No, I didn't. Jennifer made Jennifer, I just gave her an opportunity. And look at what she's done with it."

14. Medium Gregory Nava speaks to reporter

STORYLINE:

The 25th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) opened in Los Angeles on Tuesday, with Jennifer Lopez receiving the inaugural Adelante Award for Industry and rising star Paulina Chávez honored with the Next Gen Award.

Chávez reflected on the pressure she initially felt as a Latina working in Hollywood, saying her family and community helped ground her throughout her career.

"I think in the beginning of my career I was like, oh there's so much pressure to the right thing, to make sure that I am a good role model. But I also know who I am as a person and who raised me. My parents did a really great job. I mean, my family is everything to me. My community is everything to me. And so I trust myself and I trust what I have to say."

The festival was co-founded by Lopez’s “Selena” co-star Edward James Olmos, who said he launched LALIFF 25 years ago to create a space where Latino culture could be explored and celebrated through film.

"There was really no place where we could explore the culture in film form. There were no film festivals that were really bringing about an understanding of the culture at all," he said.

"We needed to bring awareness to the culture and dynamic and bring a sense of self-esteem, self-respect, self worth to the community."

Director Gregory Nava, who gave Lopez her first acting role and later directed her in “My Family” and “Selena,” praised the actress and producer before presenting her with the honor.

"Jennifer Lopez is getting this well-deserved award. Obviously, I gave her her first role in a movie and cast her as Selena, and I mean, the rest is history. This woman is the greatest Latino star in the history of Hollywood. What she's achieved is beyond imagining. Totally impossible. She deserves 100 awards like this."

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