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9 months ago
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EXCLUSIVE: Emmy nominee Rain Valdez (Razor Tongue) on Monday announced the launch of Rainbow Entertainment, an equity-centered and trans-led production company focused on elevating BIPOC and queer storytellers, both in front of and behind the camera.
Aiming to help create a new Hollywood, marked by accessibility, diversity, and equity, Rainbow Entertainment is currently in the process of financing When Jupiter Returns, Mahal, an indie rom-com expected to enter production in August. The film written, directed by and starring Valdez watches as Mahal, an impulsive and unknowingly lovable, Filipino trans woman, confronts the universe after the sudden death of her sister, only to meet Aarush, a mysterious inventor. As they fall in love, despite the universe’s prophecy, Mahal grapples with the question: Do we create our own destiny, or is it all fated in the stars?
A portion of proceeds from the pic’s release will kickstart a Community Film Fund, empowering the next generation of filmmakers to bring forth a treasure trove of untold stories.
As we were first to report, Valdez is also in the process of prepping Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader, a rom-com that she will direct from her script written with Rachel Leyco. The film follows transgender Hollywood actress Rowena as she makes a triumphant return to her estranged home island of Guam for its groundbreaking “High School Reunions Do Over Week.” Eager to live out her heart’s biggest regret, she’s on a mission to become a cheerleader – pom poms and all! When she arrives, though, she must confront a different kind of reunion with her devout Catholic family.
Jhett Tolentino will produce the pic, with Rosario Dawson serving as executive producer.
Breaking out with an Emmy nomination in 2020 for the short-form comedy series Razor Tongue, which she also created, Valdez is coming off of production on One for the Team, a coming-of-age TV pilot written and produced by Kyle Puccia & Darryl Stephens. In the pilot helmed by Valdez, a charismatic trans masculine teen loses his place in the women’s lacrosse team and must then try out for the men’s team at a new high school, in hopes of securing a scholarship for his dream Ivy League College. Liesl Wilke and Silas Howard served as EPs.
Also previously seen on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Why Women Kill and Sneaky Pete, Valdez is represented by Rothman/Andrés Entertainment and Myman Greenspan Fox.
