Los Angeles, CA —  It’s going to be a good day for Latino filmmakers on May 2, 2014.  Two indie films open on that day.  Journey of A Female Comic, a documentary comedy starring Latino comedienne Kiki Melendez, will be released through AMC Theatres’ AMC Independent Program in Los Angeles and San Diego on May 2nd, 2014 with other major markets to follow. The date will also see the release of Water & Power, which will be a historical accomplishment for Independent Latino Filmmakers just in time for the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

An award-winning actress, writer, producer, TV personality and trailblazing figure, Melendez is best known for creating Galavision’s #1 entertainment show in 2000, Kiki Desde Hollywood, and Showtime Network’s hit show, Hot Tamales Live! in 2008, the longest running all-female comedy show, now available on HULU.

Journey of A Female Comic is an inspirational film for audiences of all races, genders, and backgrounds. It centers on Melendez’ life growing up in a developing country, being raised by a single immigrant mother, and her career in Hollywood pursuing the American Dream. Never forgetting her humble beginnings, Melendez’ journey is thought-provoking and inspires audiences to discover the difference between fame and fulfillment.

With appearances by some of Hollywood’s most talented actors Journey of A Female Comic features Edward James Olmos, Jacob Vargas, Esai Morales, Nadine Velazquez, the lateLupe Ontiveros, Maria Conchita Alonso and Guy Ecker. Melendez also has lively conversations with international stars including Aaron Spelling, Usher, Sofia Vergara, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Shakiraand Marc Anthony.

AMC’s independent program added the 88-minute version to its slate following an enthusiastic reception at test screenings.

“Journey of A Female Comic fits perfectly within our AMC Independent programming initiative, which opens our screens to movies that resonate with our diverse audiences,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, Vice President of Alternative Content at AMC. “Melendez’ story is honest and entertaining, and will connect with many of our guests.”

“I am so grateful to AMC Independent for the opportunity to share my story. My hope in making this film, is to encourage and inspire women to take their dreams into their own hands,” says Melendez.

The feature began as an experimental short film, premiering at the DR Global Film Festival. It also opened at Miami’s Hispanicize Film Showcase and The Broadway International Film Festival in 2012, where it represented the U.S. and won “Best Documentary.”

The film is produced by Latin Hollywood Films in association with Lions Kill Productions. It is produced and directed by Erick Crespo and Melendez, written by Lynn Marie McCullough and  Melendez. Executive Producers are David Albert Pierce, Mark Ford, Paul Lawrence, Gloria Ortiz, Vickie Leyva and Mike Levy.

For more information and the movie trailer visit www.journeyofafemalecomic.com or #kikijourneymovie.

SOURCE Latin Hollywood Films/Kiki Melendez

Kiki Melendez' Journey of A Female Comic Set to Open at NYC's AMC in Times Square Kiki Melendez' debut film "Journey of a Female Comic" will continue its run at the Burbank 8 AMC Theater from May 16th-22nd and it will open in NYC's Times Square on the same dates. PR Newswire NEW YORK, May 7, 2014 NEW YORK, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The inspirational docu-comedy chronicles the life of Melendez, the creator of The Hot Tamales Live!, one of the longest running all female comedy shows, which aired on Showtime Networks and is now available on Hulu. The film received great audience feedback and opened to a sold out show at Universal City AMC on Friday May 2nd. It will also open in Puerto Rico's Fine Arts Theaters by the end of May. "Puerto Rico is looking forward to this bold and hilarious film," said Danny Nieves of Premiere Films. Audiences of all ages, genders and ethnicities reacted positively to the film, commenting on its humor, inspirational message, and the insider's view of Latinos in entertainment. The film includes candid interviews with stars such as Edward James Olmos, Esal Morales and Jacob Vargas, Nadine Velasquez, Maria Conchita Alonzo and many others. The story centers around Melendez' quest to develop a Spanish language stand-up comedy. It was co-directed by Erick Crespo ("Confessions of a Womanizer"). "Some of America's greatest entertainers come from stand-up comedy such as David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, and Ellen DeGeneres. I realized Latinos do not have a platform in which to showcase their talents," said Melendez. "Anyone who has a dream can identify with our movie." "Journey of A Female Comic" fits perfectly within our AMC Independent programming initiative, which opens our screens to movies that resonate with our diverse audiences," said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, Vice President of Alternative Content at AMC. "Kiki Melendez' story is honest and entertaining, and will connect with many of our guests." For more information visit www.journeyofafemalecomic.com. SOURCE Latin Hollywood Films/Kiki Melendez

For as long as she can remember, actress/comedienne/producer Kiki Melendez has loved to entertain. Born in the Dominican Republic, her decades-long career – in film and television, modeling and stand-up comedy – has literally taken her from one coast of the United States to the other. The result is a career that has produced the first-ever bilingual show, “Kiki Desde Hollywood,” the wildly popular Showtime stand-up comedy series “Hot Tamales” and a list of acting credits a mile long. “I think I have been lucky in many ways [in my career], but I also feel it has been a difficult road,” she shared. “I have tried to stay true to myself and to do my work with honesty, loyalty and integrity. Sometimes that road takes a lot longer, but I have tried to learn from all my mistakes and I constantly battle to be my higher self.” In her latest offering – a comedy/documentary The Journey of a Female Comic (La Trayectoria de Una Comediante​), Melendez exposes audiences of every ethnicity to life in Tinsel Town through the eyes of the Latino artist. “I wanted to be a voice for Latinos in America. We have so much talent and I feel we have limited opportunities in domestic entertainment, in film and television,” she said. “I wanted to showcase who we are, how talented we are and how far we have come. But, most of all, I wanted to show how much we still need to accomplish to make things better for our kids and for future talent.” From “woman on the streets” footage of Kiki walking through some of Hollywood’s most famous thoroughfares and giving comedic commentary, to set-pieces that echo more serious themes such as patria, perseverance and the cross-cultural experience of African American comedians/actors, Kiki unselfishly promotes the talents of her colleagues while educating audiences about the realities of Latino life in Hollywood beyond the bright lights and red carpet. Kiki with Co-Director Erick Crespo While the film chronicles her personal experiences – and the experiences of such notable Latinos in Hollywood as Marc Anthony, Esai Morales and Maria Conchita Alonzo – the comedic documentary provides, like all great documentaries do, an opportunity for a broader conversation about culture, media and the juxtaposition of the two. The Journey of a Female Comic – Trailer from Erick Crespo on Vimeo. In one of Kiki’s (and audience members’) favorite moments from the film, veteran actor Esai Morales recites mini monologues performed in some of the many Spanish dialects and accents from the Latin diaspora including Puerto Rican, Cuban, Argentinian, Dominican, and Mexican. “That is one of my favorite moments from the film because I think that anyone watching will enjoy learning about how we all speak the same language, with different accents, and every Latino in the audience feels represented in the film!” Morales also elaborates, in the film, on what he refers to as “the four H’s stereotype block:” hostile - Latinos portrayed as violent gang members, humble - Latinos represented as poor, timid, under and uneducated immigrants and laborers, hysterical – a la Desi Arnaz as a loud and over-the-top Ricky Ricardo and hormonal - the hyper-sexed, overly amorous “Latin Lover.” Bridging cultural gaps through laughter and tears, The Journey of a Female Comic is a true barometer of how far we’ve come and sets the stage for the progress we are still waiting to realize. “I think the problem in Hollywood is beyond the Latino problem. The main problem is how to discover new talent,” Kiki told us. “There are so many great stories out there that need to be told, but unless you have an A-List celebrity attached [to your project] no one will care. And A-listers are really overwhelmed with their own projects, so a new writer, producer or actor will have a tough time breaking into the business. I would love for Hollywood to get back to what it does best: making new stars and giving talented writers and producers a chance to tell great stories.” With limitless energy and optimism to match, Kiki looks to the future with hope and a desire to create new opportunities in entertainment, not only for her company Latin Hollywood Films, but for future generations of artists from every culture, as well. She shared with us some of the best advice an emerging talent can ever hear. “Make your own path, don’t wait for anyone to make it for you,” she said. “We live in a time where no one has time to invest in you, so you must go out there and grab the world by the balls!”