Actor, Producer, and Minivela Co-Founder Carlos Ponce Named Recipient of Pepe Serna Lifetime Achievement Award by The Georgia Latino International Film Festival, Oct. 2

ATLANTA, GA — October 2, 2025 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — Award-winning actor, producer, music artist, entrepreneur, and Minivela co-founder Carlos Ponce will be honored with the Pepe Serna Lifetime Achievement Award at the Georgia Latino International Film Festival (GALIFF) on October 2, 2025, during the Opening Night Gala at the Fox Theatre.

The award recognizes Ponce’s groundbreaking contributions to film, television, and music, his philanthropic impact, and his latest entrepreneurial venture, Minivela — the first U.S. Hispanic micro-shorts platform that is redefining Latino storytelling for the digital age.

“Carlos embodies the pioneering spirit that this award celebrates,” said Jose Marquez, CEO of the Georgia Latino Film Alliance. “Like Pepe Serna, he has opened doors for generations of Latino artists while remaining deeply committed to his community. With Minivela, he is not only extending his legacy but also empowering a new generation of Latino filmmakers to tell authentic stories in innovative ways.”

A Legacy of Entertainment Excellence

With a career spanning more than three decades, Ponce is one of the most beloved Latino entertainers in the world. He began in the early 1990s as host of the Spanish-language variety show Control and went on to star in telenovelas, Hollywood films, and hit series including Santa Diabla, Couples Retreat, 7th Heaven, and Beverly Hills, 90210. He has also made his mark as a voice actor in animated favorites like Rio and Ice Age: Collision Course.

As a music artist, his 1998 debut album went Double Platinum, topping the Latin Billboard charts. Over the years, Ponce has released six albums, won Best Pop Album in 1999, and recorded multiple chart-topping singles, including Disney’s “Bella Notte” for Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Beyond entertainment, Ponce is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting initiatives in education, children’s health, and cultural development. His unwavering commitment to using his platform for good has established him as both a role model and humanitarian.

Minivela at the Georgia Latino Film Festival

Ponce’s newest venture, Minivela, is a groundbreaking platform for Latino micro-shorts. To showcase its impact, the festival will screen two of his latest Minivela productions:

• El Clavito – a prestige micro short making waves across the festival circuit.
• Cholita Takes L.A. – a breakout cultural comedy-drama blending indigenous heritage and modern urban flair.

These screenings highlight Minivela’s mission to amplify Latino voices in film while building an ecosystem for emerging creators.

Honoring a Trailblazer

Previous recipients of the Pepe Serna Lifetime Achievement Award include Pepe Serna himself, comedy icon Paul Rodriguez, and other cultural figures who, like Ponce, helped reshape Latino media and storytelling worldwide.

Carlos Ponce will officially receive the award on October 2, 2025, where filmmakers, artists, and community leaders will gather to celebrate his artistry, philanthropy, and his pioneering role with Minivela.

About The Georgia Latino Film Alliance and Film Festival

About the Georgia Latino Film Alliance and Film Festival the Georgia Latino Film Alliance (GALFA) hosts the Georgia Latino Film Festival, highlighting Latino-directed, produced, and acted films from Georgia and beyond. GALFA's mission is to elevate independent filmmakers, films, offer educational programs, and bring top-tier Latino cinema to Georgia, empowering the next generation of storytellers.

About A Minivela Production, LLC

Co-headquartered in Los Angeles and Miami, A Minivela Production, LLC is a Latino-owned company producing advertiser-supported digital shorts for U.S. Hispanics and global audiences. Its content is available on YouTube at MinivelaTV and across social media. The company is a joint venture between actor Carlos Ponce, Brilla Media, and Numatec, and features strategic exclusive production partnerships with Chicano Hollywood, in the West Coast, and Haydita Veloz.

Inspired by telenovelas, the TikTok-speed Minivelas primarily targets Latinos 18-34 with content verticals that feature romantic comedies, original series, strange happenings, the supernatural, and even La Mala Suegra (The evil mother-in-law). The advertiser-supported Minivelas, ranging from 10 to 90 minutes, are developed in collaboration with filmmakers and influencers, featuring content in English, Spanish, or a bilingual mix based on the organic needs of the stories.

The family-friendly digital films are accessible free on Minivela’s YouTube hub, and social media channels, as well as through adtech conglomerate, Numatec’s distribution partnerships. Combined with Brilla Media’s Nuestro Media network, brand sponsors are able to secure audiences effectively across digital, CTV, and other platforms.