The SCAD Savannah Film Festival will honor Longoria with the Discovery Director Award following a screening of her critically acclaimed feature directorial debut Flamin’ Hot. The 26th annual festival runs Oct. 21–28, 2023.
Longoria will also be on the Behind the Lens: Directors panel at Gutstein Gallery. The panel celebrates cinematic powerhouses who defied the odds and obstacles to bring us some of the most influential and poignant films and television series in recent years. Other panelists include Riley Keough (War Pony), Gina Gammell (War Pony), Ondi Timoner (The New Americans: A Gaming Revolution), Lulu Wang (Expats), and Kelly Fremon Craig (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret).
From Searchlight Pictures, Flamin’ Hot follows the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez, who, as a Frito Lay janitor, disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican heritage and the flavors of his community to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon. Flamin’ Hot stars Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Emilio Rivera, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Bobby Soto, and Pepe Serna. Released earlier this year, the film is available on Hulu and Disney+. The SCAD Savannah Film Festival will also feature a special screening of the film at this year’s festival.
In addition to Flamin’ Hot, her recent directorial credits include the acclaimed 2022 Sundance Film Festival documentary La Guerra Civil, which spotlighted Latino boxing icons Oscar de la Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez, and the pilot episode of the HBO Max series Gordita Chronicles. Eva Longoria’s impressive legacy extends to Hyphenate Media Group, the new company she recently launched with Cris Abrego, which serves as part production company, part talent scouting agency and part business incubator all with the purpose of amplifying and building culture defining content and voices.
Longoria’s unwavering dedication extends beyond the realm of filmmaking, as well. She is a passionate activist and philanthropist who co-founded Eva’s Heroes, an organization enriching the lives of individuals with special needs. In 2012, she established the Eva Longoria Foundation with a mission to empower Latinas through educational programs, scholarships, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. Beyond her own foundations, Longoria co-founded Time’s Up with prominent Hollywood women and launched The MACRO Episodic Lab Powered by The Black List to empower storytellers of color. She is also a co-founder of the Latino Victory Fund, which strives to amplify the voices of Latinx individuals in all levels of government. In 2023, she joined the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Visionary Alliance, furthering her commitment to social change.
Previously announced honorees for the 2023 SCAD Savannah Film Festival include Kevin Bacon (Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment Award), Ava DuVernay (Virtuoso Director Award), Emerald Fennell (Spotlight Director Award), Sarah Greenwood (Outstanding Achievement in Production Design Award), Todd Haynes (Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award), Kazu Hiro (Career Achievement Award), Jack Huston (Rising Star Director Award), Cord Jefferson (Breakthrough Director Award), Jeff Nichols (Auteur Award), Greta Lee (Spotlight Award), Peter Sarsgaard (Vanguard Award), Cailee Spaeny (Breakthrough Award), Katie Spencer (Outstanding Achievement in Production Design Award), and George C. Wolfe (Storyteller Award). Variety also previously announced in partnership with the SCAD Savannah Film Festival that Hoyte van Hoytema will be honored with the Variety Creative Impact Award in Cinematography Award at a screening of Oppenheimer on 35mm film. Entertainment Weekly also announced their Breaking Big honorees for 2023, which include Taylor Zahkar Perez, Maddie Ziegler, Chloe Coleman, and Aria Mia Loberti. The panel will take place Friday, Oct. 27 at the festival.