A native from Perú, Yuri Cunza moved to Nashville in 1996. He earned his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Film Directing from Watkins College of Art & Design.

 

His professional experience includes the films “Conflicto Emocional” (Emotional Conflict), "A Man Without a Name" and the series “Mujeres Sin Fronteras” (Women without Frontiers) for CVC- Argentina. In 2000 Cunza became producer of “Hispanos de Hoy”, a weekly bilingual television segment with him as primary host thanks to an opportunity presented by veteran television personality Teresa Hannah for the local NBC affiliate WSMV-Channel 4 Nashville.

 

Cunza’s perspective on diversity issues has been influenced by living in different Latin-American countries and is reflected in his work: ‘rich in powerful messages of strong social content’. In fact his documentary film “Under the Skin” (2001) leads us into the dynamics of racial diversity in human relations, portraying accurately the multicultural experience in America. An official selection at the Nashville Film Festival and the 2003 International Film Forum, “Under the Skin” aired on Channel 4 Nashville on July 8th 2001. (click here to view first 9 minutes  of "Under the Skin")

 

Cunza is founder of the publication “La Noticia” a Spanish language Newspaper featuring original content, “written by and for Latinos”. Cunza served on the advisory board for Scarritt-Bennett Center’s “Celebration of Cultures”, and is member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science’s board of Governors, the board of directors for the Belcourt Theatre, The Nashville Film Festival, the American Red Cross (until Dec.2006) and more than a dozen more other organizations; ranging from business, health, non-profit, arts and culture. Cunza’s memberships include the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and The National Council LA RAZA. Locally he is a new member of the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club among civic groups. Cunza has served on the board for the HIV/AIDS research based Comprehensive Care Center and is a current member of the board of Street Works and Metro General Hospital’s “Friends in General Board”. Yuri Cunza served as Chairman of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from late 2003 to December 31, 2006.

 

Cunza has been an active advocate of Hispanic, immigrant and civil rights causes, becoming a powerful voice for Nashville’s growing Latino community. His comments and perspectives about some of the most controversial issues involving culture, diversity and immigrant populations have been featured in several English language publications and media outlets including TN Business, The Tennessean, The City Paper, The Nashville Business Journal, American Renaissance, the SCENE, The Associated Press, Reuters, Channels, 2, 4, 5 and 17, National Public Radio (NPR), WFSK, WPLN and Radio Free Nashville. His most recent project “Pulso Mundial” (Worlds’ Pulse) is Nashville’s first bilingual hour long radio program which airs every Friday morning on 98.9 FM. Cunza's visual arts credits include exhibits at the Nashville Airport, Metropolitan Public Library, The Brownlee O. Currey, JR. Gallery, and the Madison Arts Center among others.

 

A Nashville resident for just over 10 years, Yuri Cunza became a U.S Citizen on September 22nd, 2006