LATINAFest, the largest outdoor festival in the U.S. celebrating and empowering Latinas, has partnered with Dr. Ruiz Productions for a fundraising screening of the feature film 'The Dreamer Cinderella' on November 24, 2025, at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood. Proceeds from the event will benefit Proyecto Pastoral and the Survivor Justice Center, two Los Angeles-based nonprofits providing essential services and advocacy for immigrant communities. This collaboration represents a significant intersection of entertainment, cultural representation, and social advocacy at a time when immigrant rights remain a pressing national issue.
The film, written, directed, and produced by Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz, follows Xochitl, a Mexican-American fruit vendor whose life transforms when a Hollywood director makes her the subject of a career-defining bet. 'The Dreamer Cinderella' explores themes of identity, resilience, and self-worth against the backdrop of the immigrant experience in America, with nationwide release scheduled for January 23, 2026. Dr. Ruiz expressed enthusiasm about partnering with LATINAFest, stating the film celebrates the courage and perseverance of Latinas who embody the Dreamer Cinderella spirit.
LATINAFest co-founders emphasized the importance of supporting authentic Latino storytelling. Bel Hernández Castillo noted, 'It's imperative to support Latino filmmakers who tell our stories authentically—because our stories matter and deserve to be seen.' Co-founder Naibe Reynoso added that the film beautifully captures the triumphs, challenges, and resilience of Latinas and immigrants striving for better lives, aligning with LATINAFest's mission to uplift communities through storytelling as a catalyst for change.
The event's beneficiary organizations highlighted the real-world impact of such initiatives. Carmen E. McDonald, Executive Director of the Survivor Justice Center, emphasized how the film reflects the courage required to build new lives while preserving heritage, stating they witness this strength daily while serving immigrants and Dreamers. The fundraising evening begins at 6:00 PM with red carpet arrivals, followed by a reception featuring food, refreshments, cultural vendors, and activities including a transformational 'make-up spruce-up,' with screening at 7:30 PM. Ticket information is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advance-fundraising-screening-of-the-dreamer-cinderella-tickets-1936086840859?aff=oddtdtcreator, while additional details can be found at https://www.latinafest.com and https://www.drruizproductions.com.
This event demonstrates how cultural platforms can drive social change by channeling entertainment toward community support. The partnership between LATINAFest and Dr. Ruiz Productions creates meaningful opportunities for audience engagement with immigrant narratives while generating tangible resources for organizations addressing systemic challenges. As immigrant communities continue facing legal and social hurdles, initiatives that combine artistic expression with practical advocacy offer powerful models for collective action and representation in mainstream media.
