Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge.

Two up-and-coming filmmakers took away top prizes in the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge at an exclusive event at Quixote Studios in West Hollywood. Actor Danny Pino, who most recently starred in Andy Garcia’s epic “The Lost City” and plays Detective Scotty Valens in the hit TV series “Cold Case,” hosted the event.

The red carpet event— a joint production of Mercury and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)—showcased short films by six of the top independent Latino filmmakers in the U.S. The six—three students and three emerging professionals—were the finalists in the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge, which sought to discover the most promising Latino student and emerging professional filmmakers in the country.

Sarah Duran from Los Angeles who directed the short film “Girl’s Night Out” earned the prize in the emerging professional category: a $5,000 production grant towards her next project and the opportunity to participate at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival® through the “NALIPsters at Sundance” program. Sarah Duran had originally sought out to become an actress. Because there were so few roles out there that projected women and minorities in a positive light, she decided to take a proactive approach and changed her degree to Screenwriting. She has a BA degree in Screenwriting from Cal State Northridge and currently works at New Line Cinema as an Executive Assistant in Business and Legal Affairs, and would slowly like to climb her way up to development. “Red Phoenix” is Sarah’s directorial debut. She plans to continue making films that empower and reflect a positive image of women and minorities.

Xóchitl Dorsey from UCLA who directed the short film “Tears and Tortillas” was the winner in the student filmmaker category, walking away with a $5,000 scholarship to the institution of her choice and a high definition video (HDV) camera. Xóchitl Dorsey was born in Los Angeles and raised in an immigrant family with strong roots in Mexico. She received her BA in Art History and Spanish at Humboldt State University in California, and later a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies and Museum Studies from New York University. Xóchitl stayed in New York City and began her career in the media arts. While pursuing professional projects, she continues to work towards her MFA in Film Directing and Production at UCLA.

All six finalists—including runners up Salvador Paniagua, Jr. from Playa del Rey, Calif.; and Akiva Penaloza from Queens, NY in the emerging professional category; and Elvira Carrizal from Columbia University; and Elisa Menendez from Miami Dade College in the student category —will receive a one-year NALIP membership and will have their short films screened at the annual NALIP Conference 8 in Newport Beach, Calif., in March 2007.

“Mercury is proud to congratulate Sarah Duran and, two extremely talented filmmakers. We are thrilled to be able to support Latinos in the film industry by providing them with valuable resources and the chance to showcase their talents at events like this,” said Kim Irwin, Brand Manager for Mercury. “All of our finalists have done an outstanding job of showing that there is much to discover about the Latino experience in the U.S.—and that willingness to discover new ideas is the essence of the Mercury brand.”

“I still can’t quite believe I won,” said Xóchitl Dorsey, the winner in the student category. “I was competing against such and impressive group of filmmakers. It’s a real honor to be given this award, and the scholarship will help me to complete my education and continue towards my dream of becoming a professional filmmaker and breaking barriers that unfortunately still exist for Latinos/as in this business.”

“I’m very proud to take home this honor,” said Sarah Duran, the winner in the emerging professional category. “This is an important time for us in the film industry as Latinas are finally receiving the recognition they deserve in Hollywood. This award, and this wonderful opportunity to have my work seen, will go a long way towards helping me share my vision.”

The Blue Ribbon panel of judges—a trio of successful Latino directors that included Robert Rodriguez (“Desperado,” “From Dusk Till Dawn”), Rodrigo Garcia (“Nine Lives,” “Carnivale”) and Gabriela Tagliavini (“Ladies’ Night”)—selected the top three emerging professionals and three student filmmakers from 100 screenplay submissions based on Mercury’s “Mucho Por Descubrir” (Much to Discover) theme and criteria that touched on dialogue, plot line, uniqueness and overall tone. Each of the six finalists received $10,000 to produce a three to five minute short film on digital video between August 21 and September 29. The Blue Ribbon panel mentored the filmmakers throughout the process.

“In the last few years, many more Latinos(as) have risen to prominence in the film industry and the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge is a great opportunity for young Latino/a media makers to flex their muscles in the film world,” said Kathryn F. Galan, executive director of National Association of Latino Independent Producers. “The Blue Ribbon Panel was challenged to select the finalists from a highly competitive pool of excellent submissions, which is surprising given that the short film program is only in its first year.”

Members of the public were able to vote on-site for their favorites among the six short films during previous two screening events for the films last month, at The Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio, Texas and Miami Latin Film Festival on South Beach, Miami. Votes could also be cast online in the Cine Mercury Online Screening Room at www.mercuryfilm.com.

“It has been such a thrill to be part of this event tonight,” said host Danny Pino. “Supporting the independent Latino film community is something that means a great deal to me, both as an actor and as a Latino. I’m sure some day soon I’ll be working along side these very talented filmmakers.”