LATINO ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (LEJA) ANNOUNCES ELIGIBILITY DATES AND VOTING TIMELINE FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL LEJA FILM AWARDS
The 5th Annual LEJA Film Awards, recognizing the best achievements in film, will take place on Sunday, February 19, 2023
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10, 2022 – The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (LEJA) has announced its key dates and voting timeline for the 5th annual Latino Entertainment Film Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements in cinema over the entire year.
The winners will be announced on Sunday, February 19, 2022, via LEJA’s official social media platforms.
To be eligible to compete, a film must have been released in theaters, streaming platforms, or VOD between January 1 – December 31, 2022, in the United States. If a film was intended or scheduled to be released during the normal eligibility year, studios can submit their intention to be considered during the voting window by making their films available to LEJA members. Submissions are not required by any studio but are encouraged for reminders about eligible films. Other circumstances will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Studios should reach out to [email protected] for information.
The key dates for the 2022-2023 LEJA film awards calendar are as follows:
- Saturday, December 31, 2022 – The eligibility period for the 5th annual Latino Entertainment Film Awards end.
- Friday, January 13, 2023 – Nomination ballots are sent to LEJA members.
- Monday, January 16, 2023 – The nomination voting period begins at 12:00 pm EST / 9:00 am PST
- Friday, January 20, 2023 – The nomination voting period ends at 9:00 pm EST / 6:00 pm PST.
- Sunday, January 22, 2023 – The 5th annual Latino Entertainment Film Awards nominations, and special honorees, are announced at 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 pm PST.
- Friday, February 13, 2023 – Final voting ballots are sent to LEJA members.
- Monday, February 13, 2023 – Final voting for winners begins at 12:00 pm EST / 9:00 am PST.
- Friday, February 17, 2023 – Final voting for winners ends at 9:00 pm EST / 6:00 pm PST.
- Sunday, February 19, 2023 – The 5th Annual Latino Entertainment Film Awards winners announced via social media platforms.
The 44-person membership will be eligible to vote in each of the 23 competitive categories listed below.
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Best Voice or Motion Capture Performance
- Best Animated Film
- Best Non-English Language Film
- Best Documentary Film
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Ensemble Casting
- Best Production & Set Design
- Best Cinematography
- Best Costume Design
- Best Editing
- Best Hair and Makeup Design
- Best Sound Design
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Music Score
- Best Song Written for a Film
- Best Stunt Design
There will be 10 nominees announced for Best Picture, and six for each of the other categories.
Previous best picture recipients from the organization have included Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” (2021), Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” (2020), Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” (2019), and Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” (2018).
Three special honors will be announced when nominations are revealed on Sunday, January 22, 2022
- The Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award — is bestowed upon an entertainment artist who has left a lasting legacy with their presence and influence on Latino audiences, and embodies the spirit of Latino representation. Past recipients include Rita Moreno in the 2018-2019 inaugural year and for whom the award was named after. In addition to Jennifer Lopez (2020), Rosie Perez (2021) and John Leguizamo. (2022)
- Latino Breakout Performer — bestowed on an entertainment artist who had a significant impact on audiences and the Latino community across one or various mediums. Past recipients include Yalitizia Aparicio (2019), Ana de Armas (2020), Ariana DeBose (2021) and Rachel Zegler (2022).
- Latino Activism Award — bestowed upon a Latino whose work and activism have highlighted and continue to make a significant impact in the rights, positive depiction, and advancement of Latinos in not only entertainment but in the global community at large. Past recipients include America Ferrera (2019), Eva Longoria (2020), Rosie Perez (2021, the first person to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement and Activism in the same year), and Lin-Manuel Miranda (2022).
A timeline for the television awards will be announced at a later date.
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LEJA Board of Directors
President: Clayton Davis
Vice-President: Toni Gonzales
Secretary: Niki Cruz
Treasurer: Kiko Martinez