Edward James Olmos Reveals Near-Death Experience as He Partners With Prime Video for LALIFF

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Latino actor and filmmaker Edward James Olmos has built a career out of resilience, from Stand and Deliver to Selena and Battlestar Galactica. But his toughest battle didn't happen on screen. "I almost died," he admitted, recalling a life-threatening illness that left him physically and emotionally drained.

Olmos, now 80, survived against the odds. Today, he swims a mile every morning, hikes, and rows daily. That recovery, he says, gave him a renewed sense of purpose: to keep pushing Latino representation forward in Hollywood and beyond. "Every day I wake up thankful, every night I go to bed thankful," he said in an interview with The Latin Times. "That gratitude fuels everything I do."

A Legacy of Storytelling

For more than five decades, Olmos has been one of the loudest voices demanding visibility for Latinos in the entertainment industry. As a trailblazer, he's not only fought for roles on screen but also built platforms for others. In 1997, he co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), which has become one of the premier showcases for Latino and Ibero-American cinema in the United States.

This year, LALIFF is reaching a new audience thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with Prime Video. The collaboration, timed with Hispanic Heritage Month, brings a curated slate of films from Latin America and the U.S. to the streaming platform. For Olmos, it's the culmination of decades of work. "Prime Video is giving us something we've never had before," he said. "For a whole month, people will be able to see incredible films from across Latin America and beyond. It's a chance to share the beauty and diversity of our cultures."

The Prime Initiative

The collaboration is part of Prime Video's Latino Initiative, which aims to amplify Latino storytellers both in front of and behind the camera. The program provides financial support, mentorship, and guaranteed streaming distribution for selected projects, ensuring that audiences worldwide can experience authentic Latino narratives.

Among the titles streaming this season are La Raya by Yolanda Cruz, Seventh and Union by Anthony Nardolillo, Alemania by María Zanetti, and Bridges by María Corina Ramírez. Many of these projects are helmed by women, which Olmos points out as proof of how wide-ranging Latino storytelling has become. "These aren't Hollywood blockbusters," he said. "They go beyond imagination. And that's what makes them vital."