This Fourth of July, the fireworks-filled sky won't be the only place find great entertainment. NUVOtv's series "Nu Point of View" will be presenting its Summer Showcase for Aspiring Filmmakers. The three-hour block features three films from budding Latino creators all centered around the hot button theme of immigration.

"Nu Point of View" is the product of Nuyorican Productions, founded by Jennifer Lopez and Benny Medina, and the special presentation will be hosted by actress Gina Rodriguez ("Jane the Virgin," "Filly Brown"). Hundreds of filmmakers entered to appear on the show's Summer Showcase and have their work aired on national cable television, but only three movies made the cut.

Nic Santana, whose short "Elvis" is one of the lucky three, explained why NUVOtv is such a desirable outlet for young Latino filmmakers.

"NUVOtv has a unique angle," Santana said in an interview with Latin Post. "You think about the current marketplace for Hispanic programming. You have all the big players ... Now you have another player in the mix that is completely independent ... and doesn't have to adhere to corporate rules from conglomerates like Viacom, etc., about sharing or recycling other content. They're in a position to create programming for their demographic that opens doors for people like myself and others."

"Elvis," which Santana directed and wrote, is one of the showcase's shorts category winner. It follows 17-year-old Elvis during a day in the life. It just so happens, however, that this day is the day he finds out that not only are his parents undocumented immigrants from the Dominican Republic, but he is too.

For Santana, the film almost didn't come to be. While working on a feature-length film, he found himself in a rut, so he decided to focus on one character and ended up turning it into a competition-winning short film.

"I met this kid in New York who was, let's say, no stranger to trouble. His name was Elvis," Santana recalled. "I always thought it would be good for my character to have a very American name, yet not actually be American. What's more American than Elvis Presley?"

According to the filmmaker, there are lots of ways for unique stories, both Latino and otherwise, to be told through film, but he laments the film industry, which is dominated by studios that control creative direction.

"With Latino-themed movies they're always trying to hit some sort of demographic," Santana explained. "It's got to appeal to this or that, and I understand because they got to make their money. But at some point, it's almost like, 'Let the people that tell the stories figure out [the movie's direction].' Eventually you'll find some sort of formula that's beneficial both monetarily and artistically."

Enter NUVOtv, which boasts Lopez as creative chief officer, and "Nu Point of View." The outlets give Santana and the other two filmmakers the opportunity to tell their stories in their way.

"We are excited to offer the next generation of talented young filmmakers a unique national platform via our network," Lynette Ramirez, NUVOtv's SVP of Programming, said in a press release. "All three finalists featured in the Summer Showcase have produced films that reflect themes that are relevant to our audience while perfectly aligning with NUVOtv's ongoing commitment to bring viewers quality original programming."

In addition to Santana's "Elvis," "Nu Point of View" will broadcast "DREAMER," its features category winner. The movie was filmed on location in Houston, Texas and is one of the first films to ever discuss The DREAM Act and give a face to the millions of undocumented children involved.

In addition, "Stray Dogs" will make its premiere. The Los Angeles-filmed short is both action-epic, comedy, and drama with important social commentary.

For Santana, having the ability to create a piece entwined with his culture is "very important." As with many NUVOtv viewers, however, that culture is not strictly Latino, but is influenced from life in America as well.

"My culture comes through with everything I do," Santana explained. "I think of myself as the son of immigrants, but also someone who was raised in urban environments. I always let my surroundings influence my work .... Right now my surrounding is Brooklyn, New York; it's everyone I'm in contact with. My culture is always a driving force, but that culture is also expanded to what is in my immediate surroundings."

With movies that focus on immigration, an issue so important in America today, and that also merge being Latino with being American, "Nu Point of View's" Summer Showcase for Aspiring Filmmakers is the perfect addition to an all-American Independence Day.

Check out "Nu Point of View" and celebrate the best of what America has to offer, culture, creativity and opportunity, on NUVOtv on Friday, July 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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