Hollywood producer David Hinojosa has guaranteed himself a spot in the cinematic history books when he earned the first Oscar nomination of his career last month for co-producing the acclaimed drama Past Lives. The film landed a 2024 Best Picture nod, and Hinojosa became only the second American producer with Latino roots to be nominated in the top category. The first was Panamanian American director, writer, and producer Shaka King for his 2021 crime drama Judas and the Black Messiah.
Hinojosa, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, co-produced Past Lives with Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler. The film tells the story of two childhood friends who reunite after 24 years and explore how their relationship has evolved since losing touch so long ago.
Some other films Hinojosa produced included the 2017 drama and dark comedy Beatriz at Dinner, starring Salma Hayek, and the 2020 drama and dark comedy Zola, starring Colman Domingo. Both of those films were directed by Latine filmmakers – Miguel Arteta and Janicza Bravo.
Before Past Lives earned its Oscar nomination, Hinojosa won a Gotham Award for the film. He has also been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, which will hold its ceremony on February 25.
“The movie is so universal, and it fascinates me how people watch it and connect to different dimensions of it,” Hinojosa told Deadline. “But it’s a movie about making choices, and literally everyone can relate to that.”
Currently, Hinojosa has three other films in post-production as a producer, including Omni Loop, written and directed by Brazilian filmmaker Bernardo Britto, who worked as a writer on the TV series Los Espookys. He is also signed up to work with Past Lives writer-director Celine Song again on the rom-com The Materialists, which will star Pedro Pascal.
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony will broadcast live on March 10, 2024, on ABC at 7 p.m. EST.