Statement on behalf of Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition, on 2025 Academy Award nominations
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is thrilled to celebrate the increased Latino representation in the 2025 Academy Award nominations. This year’s nominations reflect the changing landscape of Hollywood, with groundbreaking achievements by Latino talent that are both inspiring and historic.
We are proud to congratulate the leading Latinas who have been nominated for their first Academy Awards. Fernanda Torres has earned a Best Actress nomination for her powerful performance in I’m Still Here. Alongside Torres, Zoe Saldaña and Monica Barbaro have both received nominations for Best Supporting Actress for their remarkable roles in Emilia Pérez and A Complete Unknown, respectively. NHMC also extends our congratulations to Karla Sofía Gascón, who has made history as the first openly trans actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Emilia Pérez. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in the fight for transgender representation in Hollywood.
A special mention goes to Colman Domingo, a former NHMC Impact Award honoree, who has made history as the first Afro-Latino actor to be nominated twice for Best Actor in a Leading Role. His powerful portrayal in Sing Sing is both thoughtfully crafted and deeply moving. Additionally, we would like to congratulate Pablo Helman for his Best Visual Effects nomination for Wicked and Adrian Quesada for his Best Original Song nomination for “Like A Bird” in Sing Sing.
This year’s nominations underscore the growing need for accurate representation of the Latino community across all forms of media—from films and series to short-form videos and social media platforms like TikTok. The way Latinos are portrayed in the media directly impacts how we are perceived in broader societal and political discourse. As such, it is crucial that the diversity within the Latino community is not only recognized but celebrated in every facet of entertainment.
NHMC remains committed to advocating for accurate and meaningful Latino representation across all media platforms. We recognize that cultural shifts often precede policy changes, and by consistently amplifying diverse voices in entertainment, we can help drive the societal change that policy will one day reflect.
We urge the entertainment industry to continue celebrating and highlighting diversity, ensuring that Latino stories are told authentically, accurately, and inclusively. Only then can we ensure that the voices of the Latino community are not just heard but truly represented on the global stage.
