Carlos Ponce, the award-winning actor, producer, music artist, and Minivela co-founder, will receive the Pepe Serna Lifetime Achievement Award at the Georgia Latino International Film Festival on October 2, 2025. The honor recognizes Ponce's groundbreaking contributions to film, television, and music, his philanthropic impact, and his latest entrepreneurial venture with Minivela, the first U.S. Hispanic micro-shorts platform that is redefining Latino storytelling for the digital age.
Jose Marquez, CEO of the Georgia Latino Film Alliance, stated that Ponce embodies the pioneering spirit the award celebrates, noting that like Pepe Serna, he has opened doors for generations of Latino artists while remaining deeply committed to his community. With Minivela, Ponce is extending his legacy while empowering a new generation of Latino filmmakers to tell authentic stories in innovative ways.
Ponce's entertainment career spans more than three decades, beginning in the early 1990s as host of the Spanish-language variety show Control and progressing to starring roles in telenovelas, Hollywood films, and hit series including Santa Diabla, Couples Retreat, 7th Heaven, and Beverly Hills, 90210. His voice acting work includes 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, and he has released six albums, winning Best Pop Album in 1999 and recording chart-topping singles including Disney's "Bella Notte" for Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure.
Beyond entertainment, Ponce has established himself as a dedicated philanthropist supporting initiatives in education, children's health, and cultural development. His newest venture, Minivela, represents a significant innovation in Latino media. The platform specializes in advertiser-supported digital shorts for U.S. Hispanics and global audiences, with content available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@MinivelaTV and across social media channels. The company is a joint venture between Ponce, Brilla Media, and Numatec, featuring strategic exclusive production partnerships with Chicano Hollywood and Haydita Veloz.
Inspired by telenovelas but designed for the TikTok era, Minivelas primarily target Latinos aged 18-34 with content verticals featuring romantic comedies, original series, supernatural themes, and cultural narratives. The family-friendly digital films range from 10 to 90 minutes and are developed in collaboration with filmmakers and influencers, featuring content in English, Spanish, or bilingual formats based on the organic needs of the stories. Through Numatec's distribution partnerships and Brilla Media's Nuestro Media network, brand sponsors can effectively reach audiences across digital, CTV, and other platforms.
The festival will screen two of Ponce's latest Minivela productions: El Clavito, a prestige micro short making waves across the festival circuit, and Cholita Takes L.A., a breakout cultural comedy-drama blending indigenous heritage with modern urban flair. These screenings highlight Minivela's mission to amplify Latino voices in film while building an ecosystem for emerging creators. Previous recipients of the Pepe Serna Lifetime Achievement Award include Pepe Serna himself and comedy icon Paul Rodriguez, honoring cultural figures who have helped reshape Latino media and storytelling worldwide.
