After months of re-vamping and editing, our new issue of Corduroy is finally at the printers and ready to hit bookstores in just a few weeks. We’ve really taken our design and content to a new level and we can’t wait for all of you to see it. In the meantime, check out this beautiful photo of actress Catalina Sandino Moreno, taken by our creative director Peter Ash Lee. And read on for an excerpt from our story about Moreno — an Academy Award-nominee who’s still at the top of her game.

So what’s the view like from the top? Most actors aspire their whole career to play a part that receives a nod from the Academy, gradually making their way to the role that sets them apart and creates a whole new land of opportunity. Moreno made it on her first try. The statue that year went to Hilary Swank for her performance in Million Dollar Baby, but for Moreno, nominated for Maria Full of Grace, the recognition was an award in itself. But where does one go from there? When your breakthrough performance receives the highest accolade in the industry, what can you hope for next?

Fame certainly isn’t a motivation for the self-admittedly shy Moreno, who would much rather be appreciated for her dedication to her craft. “I really respect my work,” she says as she holds her hand over her heart. She’s emphatic about her love of acting. “When my heart and my mind are in something, that is what will drive me,” she says. She also notes that she’s still looking for that next great project; something, she stresses, which will make people think.

A few of her recent films serve as noble think pieces. For instance, Fast Food Nation is a compelling look at the fast food industry, while in Paris je t’aime, her vignette focuses on the touching story of a working mother. But in her experiences so far, she has not encountered enough strong scripts written for women. The scripts she reads nowadays seem to be written for the “girlfriend” or the “friend” of the leading man. She has yet to find anything as good as well, Maria.

- To read the full story, pick up Issue 7 of Corduroy, in stores soon.