Johnny Canales Documentary ‘Take It Away’ to Premiere at Houston Latino Film Festival

The legacy of legendary Tejano television host Johnny Canales will take center stage in Houston this Friday when the highly anticipated documentary Take It Away: The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood makes its Houston premiere during the Houston Latino Film Festival 2026.

The screening is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH), located in Midtown Houston. The film will be shown in Box 4 theater and will be followed by an afterparty inside the venue.

Directed by Adrian Arredondo, Take It Away explores the cultural impact and enduring legacy of Canales, whose groundbreaking television program helped shape the rise of Regional Mexican and Tejano music across the United States and Mexico.

For decades, The Johnny Canales Show served as a powerful launching pad for emerging Latino artists. The program famously gave early exposure to future superstars including Selena Quintanilla-Perez, helping introduce a generation of performers to audiences on both sides of the border.

Through archival footage and interviews, the documentary highlights how Canales’ charisma and commitment to promoting Latino talent transformed his show into one of the most influential platforms in Tejano music history.

The Houston premiere will include an appearance by director Adrian Arredondo, giving audiences a chance to hear firsthand about the making of the film and the importance of preserving Canales’ legacy.

The screening is part of the 2026 edition of the Houston Latino Film Festival, a five-day celebration of Latino storytelling that will showcase more than 80 films from filmmakers across the Americas. This year’s festival continues to spotlight voices and stories that shape Latino culture and entertainment.

Event Details

• Film: Take It Away
• Occasion: Houston Premiere
• Director in Attendance: Adrian Arredondo
• Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
• Time: 8:00 PM
• Location: MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston), Box 4
• Ticket Price: $15

The screening is part of #HLFF2026, with tickets available through the festival website at houstonlatinofilmfestival.com.

For Tejano music fans, the film offers a nostalgic and powerful look at the man behind the iconic phrase “You got it, take it away!”—and the stage that helped launch some of the biggest stars in Latin music history.

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