HITN's Tú Cuentas Cine Youth Fest (TCCYF) has received two Telly Awards for its interview series Tú Cuentas Cafecito, marking a significant milestone for the youth-focused film initiative. The series won a Silver Telly in the General–Interview & Talk Show category for an episode featuring media executive Ingrid 'Superstar' Salcedo, and a Bronze Telly for an episode with actress and producer Roselyn Sánchez. The Telly Awards, established in 1979, receive over 13,000 entries annually from all 50 states and five continents, judged by an industry body of over 250 leading experts.
For the past five years, HITN's Tú Cuentas platform has aimed to create a space for young filmmakers and storytellers to showcase their work. Cynthia Rivera, co-director of the series, emphasized the significance of the recognition. 'Seeing our Cafecito series recognized with these Telly Awards is a beautiful affirmation of that vision,' she said in a press release. 'We are deeply grateful to the emerging filmmakers who trust us with their stories and to the Telly Awards for this honor.' The awards highlight the importance of providing platforms for underrepresented voices in media, particularly within the Latino community.
The award-winning episodes spotlight influential figures in Latino media. The Silver Telly episode featured Ingrid 'Superstar' Salcedo, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast executive and producer known for shaping Latin music award shows. The Bronze Telly episode featured Roselyn Sánchez, a Puerto Rican actress and filmmaker whose credits include Without a Trace and Devious Maids. Sánchez recently expanded into directing with Diario, Mujer y Café, a personal project rooted in Puerto Rican storytelling. These episodes demonstrate the breadth of talent and storytelling within the Latino community, offering audiences insight into the careers and perspectives of these influential figures.
At the heart of the series is host Raymond Arturo Pérez, a Los Angeles-based television writer and creative from San Antonio, Texas. Pérez previously served as a staff writer on season two of Selena: The Series and focuses on elevating Latino, queer, and other underrepresented voices. Rivera praised Pérez's role in shaping the tone of the conversations. 'He creates a welcoming space where guests can openly share their stories and connect with audiences in a meaningful way,' she said. This approach is crucial for fostering authentic dialogue and ensuring that diverse narratives are heard.
The recognition for Tú Cuentas Cafecito underscores the growing visibility of Hispanic-centered storytelling in digital and television media, particularly programs that blend cultural conversation with personal narrative. The Telly Awards validate the efforts of HITN and its partners to amplify Latino voices, which is increasingly important in a media landscape that has historically underrepresented these perspectives. For young filmmakers and storytellers, this recognition signals that there are platforms and audiences eager for their work.
HITN Media, the parent company behind TCCYF, is a leading Spanish-language media company offering educational and cultural programming. It reaches more than 35 million homes in the United States and Puerto Rico through providers such as DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse, and Comcast Xfinity. More information about HITN and its programming can be found at HITN.org. The success of Tú Cuentas Cafecito highlights the potential for similar initiatives to drive change in media representation and provide opportunities for emerging talent.
