NBCU Telemundo Enterprises Announces Launch of Telemundo Films

NBCU Telemundo Enterprises announced the launch of Telemundo Films, a new business unit under its Telemundo Studios operation that will develop, produce and market feature films in English and Spanish for the growing movie-going US Hispanic market. Led by Luis Silberwasser, president of Telemundo network, this new unit will kick off with the launch of the feature film "Lowriders" in partnership with Imagine Entertainment, Blumhouse Productions' BH Tilt and Universal Pictures. The film stars Eva Longoria, Demian Bichir, Melissa Benoist, Theo Rossi, Tony Revolori and Gabriel Chavarria. Watch trailer here.

"Telemundo Films will allow us to LEVERAGE our expertise to expand our entertainment business into a new genre of storytelling," said Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. "We are excited to kick off this new venture in partnership with Imagine, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures, and look forward to working with them to serve the vibrant movie-going Hispanic market."

Directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, "Lowriders" is set against the vibrant backdrop of East LA's near-spiritual car culture and follows the story of Danny (Chavarria), a talented young street artist caught between the lowrider world inhabited by his old-school father (Bichir) and ex-con brother (Rossi), and the adrenaline-fueled outlet that defines his self-expression. The film was produced by Academy Award Winner Brian Grazer and Academy Award Nominee and Emmy Award Winner Jason Blum.

Shot in Los Angeles, CA, "Lowriders" will be released in theaters on May 12, 2017 by BH Tilt, Blumhouse's releasing label which utilizes new distribution and marketing strategies for films that serve specific audiences.

Hispanic movie going has remained consistently high, generating an estimated $2.6 billion for the movie industry in 2015. While they represent 17% of the population, they accounted for 23% of tickets sold, due to them being more likely to go than non-Hispanics and go more frequently. Hispanics over-index for watching every movie genre, showing strongest preference for action and adventure, followed by comedy and suspense.