@csacasting #castingdirector🎬
#femaleownedbusiness by @elainedelvalledirector We #cast #actors in
Film, TV, Commercials,
Animation & VO
(in Eng& Span)
Confrontation isn’t just raised voices… it’s truth breaking through.
In this scene, Nathalia Lares delivers a ferocious, Best Actress–level performance—and Karina Ortiz meets her with equal fire, grounding the moment in lived Latina experience.
A scene between two women.
Performed by Latinas.
Directed by a Latina.
Rare in major motion storytelling—essential in ours.
✨ For Your Consideration ✨
Nathalia Lares — Best Actress
Karina Ortiz — Best Supporting Actress
Oscars · Golden Globes · Independent Film Awards
#BrownsvilleBred #FYC #LatinaExcellence #womendirectors #actingawards #oscars2026entry #goldenglobes2026 #indiefilm
I am so very proud to be nominated for Best Casting in an animated series for @almaswayofficial The ARTIOS awards are Casting Director awards #grateful #dreamcomestrue #latina #castingdirector #latinaownedbusiness
👀Watch the #audition that booked upcoming #featurefilm @brownsvillebred -This is HER story - Brownsville Bred is the indie film you don’t want to miss 🎬Premiering @laliff_ 🎟️Tickets in @brownsvillebred bio #latinafilmmaker #comingofage #brooklyntopr #casting Directed by Yours Truly @elainedelvalledirector
For years this story lived on a stage.
Then it became a book.
Then an SXSW-winning short film.
Then a theatrical feature.
Today, Brownsville Bred is finally available for anyone to watch from home on
Apple TV and
Amazon Prime Video.
This film was made with so much heart — by artists who believed this Brooklyn Puerto Rican story deserved to be seen.
If you watch it tonight, tell me where you’re watching from.
And if you love it, please share it. Rate it on IMDB. Independent films grow because of people like you. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽
Years ago, I attended my very first Casting Society of America Artios Awards in New York. I remember my colleagues whispering about how magical and glamorous the California ceremony was in comparison.
That night, I made myself a promise:
If I’m ever nominated… I’m flying myself to California to experience it.
Last night, I kept that promise. ✨
To be nominated among peers who truly understand what it means to watch 600+ tapes in a single day… who know the responsibility of shaping stories through casting… who lose sleep over getting it right — that is an honor beyond words.
Meeting one of my heroes, Terry Berland @berlandcasting , was surreal. Sharing space with artists I deeply respect — including the incredible Julie Ashton @therealjulieashtoncasting and honoring Laura Adler — reminded me why this community is so special.
And I have to say thank you to Alma’s Way.
@almaswayofficial
Every season, that show challenges me. Casting an entire neighborhood. Discovering new voices. Mentoring first-time talent. Making sure authenticity and inclusion aren’t just words — they are a practice. That challenge made me worthy of this nomination.
Thank you Cyrena Esposito, @redletterent for sharing the night with me. đź’›
And thank you to the Casting Society of America @csacasting — not just for the nomination, but for the extraordinary charitable work you do. Learning more about that last night made me want to become even more involved in this organization that uplifts so many.
Congratulations to all of the winners. It was truly a privilege to be in that room — as a nominee, as a colleague, and as someone who loves this craft.
There is nothing like being celebrated by the people who understand the work.
#ArtiosAwards #CastingDirector #Gratitude #AlmasWay #csa
Alma’s Way just received the Kidscreen Inclusivity Preschool Program Award — and my heart is so full. 💛
To be the casting director on this extraordinary series, created by the legendary Sonia Manzano and so beautifully written, directed, and nurtured by Fred Rogers Productions, is truly one of the great honors of my career.
Every time I step into this world, I’m reminded how powerful representation is — especially for our youngest viewers. Helping bring together the vibrant melting pot of New York City families and voices, while centering a proud Puerto Rican family at the heart of the story, has been deeply emotional for me.
To watch Summer Rose Castillo lead this series with such honesty and heart — and to see her heading to the Children’s & Family Emmys this Monday as a nominee for Best Actress — is the kind of full-circle moment that makes all the work worth it.
Seeing a Latina family centered with love, nuance, intelligence, empathy, humor, and everyday magic matters. It tells children: you belong here. Your voice belongs here. Your family belongs here.
Grateful beyond words to be part of something that leads with kindness and reflects the beautiful world our children deserve to see. đź’«
#AlmasWay #KidscreenAwards #RepresentationMatters #ChildrensEmmys #CastingDirector PuertoRicanPride LatinaLead
“Leave nothing to the imagination.”
A casting colleague said that recently — and this audition embodies it.
No doubt that her previous work, including “Fresh Kills” @freshkillsmovie , helped her get the opportunity.
But once you have the audition?
You leave it all on the table.
This role is now BAFTA nominated.
It started with a self-tape that held nothing back.
From the very beginning, it was essential to me that a young Latina be the protagonist of this journey. That she carry the film. That she be centered. That she be seen — larger than life on the big screen.
Young Latina girls deserve to see themselves as the heroes of their own stories. Not the side character. Not the love interest. Not the background. The lead.
And for everyone watching — this is what it looks like when she carries the weight, commands the screen, and takes us on a journey we are honored to follow.
Representation isn’t a trend. It’s a responsibility. And @nathalia.lares and @summerrose_castillo (who together portray our protagonist at various ages) rose to it beautifully. Thank you @paulie_the_latino_slant for recognizing my story and their talent. Watch Brownsville Bred now on demand on Apple TV or Prime
#BrownsvilleBred #LatinaLead #RepresentationMatters #GirlsWhoLead #SeeHerLead
I’m so incredibly proud to be the Casting Director for Alma’s Way, now starting its third season! I encourage everyone to watch this show that expands representation like no other. Huge congratulations to Emmy nominee Summer Rose Castillo, everyone at Fred Rogers Productions, and the amazing team behind Alma’s Way. I’m truly grateful to all of you for inspiring and challenging me with these incredible roles to cast. And I’m honored to be nominated for the CSA Artios Award for Best Casting in an Animated Series. See you at the awards in February! @csacasting@elainedelvalledirector@fredrogersproductions@almaswayofficial@soniammanzano@summerrose_castillo@televisionacad
