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Filmmakers, the moment has arrived! Get Your Film Submitted before December 1st, 2025; We can’t wait to see your work!
The submission portal is now open!
From humble beginnings to cinematic greatness – that’s the story of both the Chicago Latino Film Festival and the countless filmmakers who have graced our screens over the past four decades. As we prepare for our 42nd edition in April 2026, we’re once again opening our doors (and our FilmFreeway portal) to discover the next generation of Latino storytellers who will captivate, inspire, and transform our understanding of the Latinosphere.
A Festival Born from a Vision beyond Concrete Walls
Picture this: 1985, 14 films projected onto a concrete wall for an audience of 500. That was the modest beginning of what would become the largest, most comprehensive, continuously running Latino film festival in the United States. Founded by visionary Pepe Vargas and organized by the International Latino Cultural Center (ILCC), our festival was born from a simple yet powerful belief: cinema is “necessary, important” and “transformative” against preconceptions people may have of Latinos.
What started as Chicago Latino Cinema has evolved into something extraordinary. The growth of the Festival from 500 attendees to more than 35,000 tells a story of community, passion, and the universal power of storytelling. Today, we proudly hold the distinction as the nation’s longest-running and largest Spanish and Portuguese language film celebration.
From 14 Films to Nearly 100: Our Evolution
The numbers speak volumes about our growth and impact. Today, the Festival screens close to 100 films from all over Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal and the United States. Our most recent festival showcased 51 Feature Films and 30 Short Films from around Latino America, Portugal, Spain, The Caribbean, and the United States, each one carefully selected to represent the rich tapestry of Latino experiences and artistry.
But we’re not just about quantity – we’re about quality, diversity, and impact. As Pepe Vargas, our founder and the executive director of the International Latino Culture Center of Chicago, explains: cinema serves as a “weapon” against negative stereotypes, giving “people the opportunity to get to see who the Latinos are, not by the preconceived idea that they have”.
Your Film Could Be Next: What We’re Looking For
The 42nd Chicago Latino Film Festival, scheduled for April 2026, is seeking fresh voices, compelling stories, and innovative filmmaking from across the global Latino community. Here’s what you need to know:
Submission Requirements:
- Features must have a running time of 70 minutes or above & shorts must be less than 20 minutes
- Films from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States, or works where the subject matter is directly related to Latino culture
- All submissions must include English subtitles
- Selected films must be a Chicago premiere
What We Celebrate: The Festival presents all forms of filmmaking including animation, documentaries, experimental, narrative, etc. We particularly encourage the submission of works for young audiences and welcome films with an educational value, or a strong historical and artistic importance.
Recognition That Matters
While the Festival is non-competitive, we believe in celebrating excellence. The most popular narrative feature, feature documentary, and short film are given the Audience Choice Award – recognition that comes directly from the hearts and minds of our passionate Chicago audiences.
But the real prize? Becoming part of a legacy that has been continuously celebrating Latino filmmakers and serving as a platform for cultural exchange and community building. Your film doesn’t just get screened; it becomes part of a movement that’s been breaking down barriers and building bridges for over four decades.
Mark Your Calendars: Important Dates
🎬 Submission Portal Opens: September 4th, 2025 📅 Submission Deadline: December 1st, 2025 🎭 Festival Dates: April 2026 💻 Submission Platform: FilmFreeway portal
Beyond the Screen: Educational Impact
The Chicago Latino Film Festival isn’t just about entertainment – it’s about education and cultural understanding. A fundamental educational platform that continues to channel the cultural significance of film to the next generation of filmmakers, our festival provides new creators the opportunity to learn about the diversity of other cultures, and the prospect of meeting film artists.
Your film could be the one that opens dialogue, challenges perspectives, or inspires the next generation of Latino filmmakers. That’s the kind of impact that extends far beyond box office numbers or critical acclaim.
Ready to Join Our Story?
As we prepare for April 2026, we’re not just planning another festival – we’re curating the next chapter in a story that began with 14 films on a concrete wall and has grown into a cultural institution that attracts passionate audiences, generous sponsors, and talented filmmakers from around the world.
The submission portal opens tomorrow, September 4th, 2025, on FilmFreeway. Don’t just submit your film – submit your voice, your perspective, your piece of the Latino experience. Join us in bringing even more latinismo to Chicago’s cultural landscape.
Because at the Chicago Latino Film Festival, every frame tells a story, every story builds a bridge, and every bridge brings us closer together.
Ready to be part of our 42nd year of cinematic celebration? Visit FilmFreeway and submit your film today!
The Chicago Latino Film Festival is organized by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago and represents the great diversity of themes and genres of Latino film making from around the world. For more information, visit our website or follow us on social media for the latest updates.
