Actor James Ortiz is set to receive the Artistic Excellence Impact Award.
Honoring Artistic Excellence
Ortiz is being recognized for his exceptional artistry in puppetry and voice performance, specifically for bringing the character ‘Rocky’ in Project Hail Mary to life. The award celebrates his pioneering contributions to the specialized field, highlighting how his work transcends technical craft by infusing an otherworldly character with depth, nuance, and humanity. As a queer Latino artist pushing boundaries, Ortiz’s accomplishments serve as both a testament to the power of representation and a source of inspiration for emerging creators.
NHMC President and CEO Brenda Victoria Castillo stated
“Latinos are present in every part of Hollywood, in front and behind the camera, and we are elated to have such a well-rounded group at our annual Impact Awards Gala”. Castillo added that the honorees “exemplify our commitment to creative excellence and inclusivity, perfectly embodying our mission to elevate marginalized voices”.
Complete List of 2026 Honorees
Ortiz joins a distinguished group of individuals and productions being celebrated for their incredible contributions toward creating a more inclusive society:
- Apple TV’s The Studio – Beyond the Lens Impact Award
- Belissa Escobedo (NBC’s Happy’s Place) – Outstanding Actress Performance in a Series Impact Award
- Beth de Araújo (Director of JOSEPHINE) – Visionary Impact Award
- Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan (Co-writers of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters) – Storytelling Impact Award
- James Ortiz – Artistic Excellence Impact Award
Gala Hosts and Presenters
The evening will be co-hosted by comedians Chris Estrada and Frankie Quiñones. A roster of star-studded presenters will also join the gala, including Christopher Miller, Representative Joaquín Castro, Nick Pugliese, Phil Lord, and HAPPY’S PLACE‘s Melissa Peterman and Pablo Castelblanco.
About the Impact Awards:
The Impact Awards Gala is just one part of the NHMC’s overall mission to spotlight the importance of accurate, fair, and positive representation in media, including advocating for an increased number of Latino writers on major networks, the increased representation of diverse talent on major television and film sets, and educating media and industry executives on the variances of Latino culture.
Past Impact Award honorees include Apple TV+’s Acapulco, Cris Abrego, Daniella Pineda, Isabela Merced, Phil Lord, Rey Mysterio, Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Fede Alvarez, Harvey Guillén, Issa López, Tatyana Ali, The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), Tubi, Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, George and Mayan Lopez, Aarón Sánchez, Ángel Manuel Soto, Eugenio Derbez, Gina Torres, Jharrel Jerome, Jessica Sarowitz, Julissa Prado, Miguel, Eva Longoria, Colman Domingo, Francia Raisa, Yvett Merino, Salma Hayek Pinault, Rosie Perez, Matthew Lopez, Tessa Thompson, America Ferrera, Jay Hernandez, Ann Sarnoff, Dany Garcia, Isabella Gomez, Amy Lippman, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Ozzie Areu, James Cameron, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo, Diego Luna, Benjamin Bratt, Robert Rodriguez, and more.
About The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities. Since its founding, NHMC has worked to empower the Latino community through policy advocacy, media representation, and coalition building.
The organization advocates for increased Latino visibility through its policy work in Washington, D.C., and media advocacy and representation in Hollywood. NHMC is a leading advocate in combating online hate and mis/disinformation across digital platforms. The organization champions equitable access to communications services, including broadband access and media transparency. Committed to closing the digital divide, NHMC prioritizes ensuring that Latino and other historically marginalized groups have the resources and tools needed to thrive in a digital world. Rooted in strong partnerships with civil rights and social justice organizations, NHMC is united in its mission to defend democracy and ensure that every community has access to authentic media representation and equitable opportunities.
The post James Ortiz Wins NHMC Impact Award for ‘Project Hail Mary’ appeared first on The Hype Magazine.
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