(Photo Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for National Hispanic Media Coalition)

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This year’s National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Impact Awards Gala brought together a packed room at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event honored Latino talent who are helping reshape the way the community is portrayed across film, TV, and streaming. Hosted by comedian Al Madrigal and actress Jessica Marie Garcia, the evening spotlighted actors, producers, and creatives who are pushing for more accurate, meaningful, and diverse representation.

Honorees Who Are Making an Impact

The 2025 lineup included a range of talent across genres and generations. The cast of Cobra Kai accepted the Ensemble Impact Award, with Xolo Maridueña speaking about the way the series has connected families across age groups. Acapulco, Apple TV+’s bilingual series, was honored with the Authentic Storytelling Impact Award, accepted by Camila Perez and Enrique Arrizon, with creator Austin Winsberg noting how the show prioritized real, layered portrayals of Latin culture.

Daniella Pineda, known for roles that challenge stereotypes, accepted the Outstanding Performance Impact Award for her work in The Accountant 2 and Dora the Explorer. Meanwhile, Cris Abrego, Chairman of Banijay Americas, was recognized for leadership in the industry and his long-standing advocacy for equity in entertainment.

The Next Generation Impact Award went to actress Isabela Merced, with The Last of Us co-stars Gabriel Luna and Young Mazino presenting. Merced spoke about how Latino community wins never feel like someone else’s loss, noting the spirit of mutual support she’s experienced in the industry.

A Night of Powerful Messages

WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, who accepted the Legend Impact Award, reflected on his role as both performer and mentor. "I always tried to show that our stories matter and that our presence matters," he shared.

Phil Lord, honored with the Visionary Impact Award, highlighted the importance of immigrant stories and community: “A person doesn’t make a movie, a community does,” he said, encouraging others to imagine a country that treats every immigrant like family.

NHMC President & CEO Brenda Victoria Castillo reminded attendees that the Latino community is not monolithic. “We are not defined by a single story or box you can check off. The diversity amongst us is not just our strength — it’s what makes us unstoppable.”

Industry Support and Special Guests

The night also featured appearances from industry favorites including Melissa Fumero, Francia Raísa, Harvey Guillén, and Linda Yvette Chavez, among others. NHMC also recognized its event partners, including Apple TV+, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, T-Mobile, and Variety, for their support in pushing representation forward.

NHMC’s Ongoing Mission

The Impact Awards Gala is one piece of NHMC’s larger mission to increase Latino visibility in media. The organization continues to advocate for Latino writers in writers' rooms, more inclusive casting, and education for executives on the cultural diversity within Latino communities.

NHMC’s efforts go beyond celebration—they’re pushing for structural changes in the entertainment industry. That includes building relationships with networks, advocating for diversity on- and off-screen, and promoting stories that reflect the full range of Latino identities in the U.S.