John Leguizamo, Judy Reyes, Oscar Nuñez Among Honorees at Critics Choice Celebración

The Critics Choice Association has confirmed the line‑up for the sixth annual Celebración of Cinema & Television, slated for 2 October 2026 at the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. Formerly known as the Celebration of Latino Cinema and Television, the ceremony highlights on‑ and off‑screen achievements throughout the Latino and Hispanic entertainment community.

At the centre of the roster, John Leguizamo will receive the Career Achievement Award. The Association’s press release lauds his “more than four decades of novel work across film, television, comedy, and theater.” The 66‑year‑old Emmy winner and four‑time Tony nominee is currently riding the success of Christopher Nolan’s summer blockbuster The Odyssey, which the Yahoo report describes as “the highest‑grossing film of the director’s career and the highest‑grossing R‑rated movie worldwide” with a global tally that has passed $1.35 billion. The accomplishment arrives as Leguizamo’s own filmography, from Carlito’s Way to the Ice Age franchise, continues to attract new audiences.

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Judy Reyes will be honoured with the Trailblazer Award, “in recognition of her outstanding body of work across film, television, and theater.” The release notes her current lead as Lt. Selena Soto in ABC’s crime drama High Potential and her return to the role of nurse Carla Espinosa in the revival of the medical comedy Scrubs, a character she originally portrayed for nine seasons. Reyes, 58, joins the ceremony alongside fellow honourees who span a broad age range, from veteran Oscar Núñez, 67, to breakout star Inde Navarrette, 25.

Oscar Núñez will collect the Vanguard Award for his work on Peacock’s series The Paper. The Emmy‑winning actor, best known for playing Oscar Martinez in the U.S. Version of The Office, reprises the role in the mock‑documentary comedy, extending the character’s cultural imprint.

James Ortiz, the Broadway puppeteer behind the alien Rocky in Amazon MGM Studios’ Project Hail Mary, is set to receive the Innovator Award. The Yahoo piece details his complex contribution — performing, voicing, and operating the creature opposite Ryan Gosling — as well as his stage‑design credits that include the Tony‑nominated production The Skin of Our Teeth. His involvement exemplifies the ceremony’s focus on creative versatility.

Producer Rodrigo Teixeira, 49, will be presented with the Producer Award for the Neon thriller Paper Tiger. Teixeira’s RT Features previously produced Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name and Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here, underscoring his track record of backing internationally recognised projects.

The Spanish filmmaking duo Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, collectively known as Los Javis, will accept the Director Award for Netflix’s series La Bola Negra. Their résumé includes the acclaimed series Paquita Salas and the Cannes‑winning drama inspired by the unfinished work of Federico García Lorca, demonstrating the global reach of Latino‑directed content.

Aimee Carrero will receive the Supporting Actress Award for her role in Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors. The award follows a career that spans voice work as Elena in Disney’s Elena of Avalor, as well as a notable appearance opposite Ralph Fiennes in The Menu.

Laysla De Oliveira, 34, secures the Breakthrough Actress Award – Series for her performance in Paramount+’s espionage drama Lioness. The series, created by Taylor Sheridan, pits her opposite Zoe Saldaña, who previously earned the Groundbreaker Award from the Critics Choice Association.

Inde Navarrette, 25, will be recognised with the Breakthrough Actress Award – Film for her turn as Nikki in Focus Features’ horror title Obsession. The Association’s statement highlights that the film has amassed $495.5 million worldwide, crediting Navarrette’s work for contributing to its box‑office success.

Finally, Beth de Araújo will obtain the Breakthrough Director Award for Josephine, a film starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan. The piece notes that the director captured both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, signalling a strong festival circuit presence.

“To honour this remarkable class of Latino and Hispanic artists is nothing short of a gift, especially during a time that has been difficult for our communities. Latino and Hispanic storytellers keep creating from a place of joy and defiance, turning our histories and culture into art that moves the culture forward. Their work builds a larger, more inclusive tent for everyone to be invited to join.”

Clayton Davis, Critics Choice Association Member and Co‑Programmer, via press release

Davis, who also serves as Variety’s chief awards editor, will co‑host the ceremony with fellow CCA member Amanda Salas. Their joint hosting reflects the Association’s intention to foreground diverse voices both onstage and behind the scenes.

What to watch next

• Leguizamo’s The Odyssey continues its global run, with box‑office figures still climbing as the ceremony approaches.