Chicago Latino Film Festival

Pepe Vargas • Executive Director of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago and The Chicago Latino Film Festival.

A Message

From

Our Director

You’ve heard and read the story countless times of how one small festival started projecting a handful of films against a wall in St. Augustine College in front of a total audience of 500. Of how that small festival that celebrates Iberoamerican cinema in all its forms, today shows about five times the number of shorts and features to over 35,000 attendees. And of how that small festival led to the creation of a multidisciplinary organization, the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, that not only programs films, but also music, theater, dance, literary and culinary events, among many other cultural expressions. I myself have proudly told that story plenty of times.

And here we are, 40 years later. During these past four decades, the Chicago Latino Film Festival has introduced audiences to the new voices of Iberoamerican cinema and the latest works by its masters. It has also, in its own unique way, documented the history of this art form in our continent, with all its ups and downs. An arts festival is as good as the art created by its guest artists. 

This year we are welcoming some old friends who, throughout the years, have trusted their films to us. We are presenting 50 features, out of which half are made by first-time filmmakers, and 35 shorts out of more than 700 submissions. And we will welcome over 50 filmmakers to Chicago. In this website, you will find anything and everything about these magnificent films.

I am deeply grateful to Mike Angell and the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation for partnering with us in this 40th anniversary celebration. Mike’s unwavering commitment to the arts in Chicago and his continued support of the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago has been vital in these challenging times. 

I have always been blessed to receive the support of so many people and institutions who still believe in the role our Festival, the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, and the arts play in our society. So, to our funders and sponsors, volunteers, staff, filmmakers, the Film Selection Committee members, our board of directors and, most important of all, you…THANK YOU! 

Pepe Vargas

Founder and Executive Director 

International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago

CLFF Notes Podcast

The 40th Chicago Latino Film Festival is proud to present ``CLFF Notes`` the official Podcast! Here you will find interviews with some of the Actors, Directors and Producers that will be participating as official selectants to this years festival.
PLAY

40th CLFF Blog

Official Poster of the 40th CLFF

Official Poster of the 40th Chicago Latino Film Festival by J. Klein © 2024

The Chicago Latino Film Festival is the longest running Spanish & Portuguese language film festival event dedicated to Latino Filmmakers and Cinema. Since 1985, the Festival has brought together audiences, film directors and actors to enjoy and lift motion picture arts from a Latino point of view.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024. CLFF continuing by bringing these films to the theatre where we find the full experience of film watching at its most enjoyable.

We aim to bring quality Latino films to Chicago. Films that lend a voice that transcends political views into human forms of expression, sharing ideas and concepts that are funny, sad, dramatic, exciting or different from anything we have seen before.

Content is protected. Right-click function is disabled.