For 42 years, the Chicago Latino Film Festival has introduced Chicago movie lovers to the stories and visions of thousands of filmmakers from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the many Latino communities spread out throughout the United States. We pride ourselves on being the most comprehensive and inclusive Latino film festival in the country.
Produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, the 42nd Chicago Latino Film Festival will take place from April 16-27, 2026. Every year, the Festival invites artists from around the world, but especially from those countries featured on its program, to submit a poster concept in a competition.
Our Festival’s core message and mission can be summarized in one simple phrase: LATINO STORIES FOR MOVIE LOVERS. Poster entries must reflect that spirit in its design. The image should be representative of how moving images are produced these days (digitally or on mobile) and how they are consumed (big, small and medium-sized screens, on the theater or at home, a blanket on a wall, on a public plaza somewhere in Latin America or Spain). It should celebrate the efforts and sacrifices made by these filmmakers to tell their stories. Some of our best posters have focused on the impact cinema has and still has as a social tool, as well, especially in these difficult times.
Entries that allude to other aspects of the culture (dance, theater, etc.) or include stereotypical will not be considered. We encourage you to be imaginative and curious and even watch a couple of Iberoamerican films as you come up with ideas.
The winning design becomes the face of the Festival as it will be on the cover of newsprint programs, invitations, program books, electronic ads, t-shirts, mugs, Festival trailer, social media platforms and more. THE WINNER RECEIVES $1,000! Entries must be received by Monday, January 5, 2026. The Winner will be announced on January 19, 2026.For guidelines and more details, visit our official poster contest page.
