In 1985, Pepe Vargas launched the Chicago Latino Film Festival with just 14 films and no institutional backing behind him — only a conviction that Chicago’s Latino community deserved a platform of its own. That modest first edition grew into Chicago Latino Cinema, then into the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC), the nonprofit organization Vargas would go on to lead for the next four decades. Under his direction, the Festival became the largest and longest continuously-running Latino film festival of its kind in the United States, and the ILCC expanded far beyond film into music, dance, theater, and the visual and culinary arts — building, from nothing, one of the most impactful pan-Latino cultural institutions in the country.
After 42 years at the helm, Vargas made the difficult decision to step down as Executive Director, effective June 30, 2026, due to health reasons. Mateo Mulcahy, who has served alongside him since 2022, took over as Executive Director on July 1.
The date and venue Pepe chose was not accidental or coincidental, it was his birthday and the venue was Facets one of the Festival’s longest running allies and once the home of the Chicago Latino Film Festival. Pepe celebrated surrounded by his friends and colleagues in both of the most personal moments of his life.
Below, in his own words, is Pepe Vargas’s message to the community he built this organization for.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER June 8, 2026
As the chorus of a classic salsa song goes, “Todo tiene su final.“
But endings always pave the way for new, promising, and exciting beginnings.
I am retiring and stepping down as Executive Director of the organization effective June 30, 2026 due to health reasons. Mateo Mulcahy will act as Interim Executive Director until July 1st when he will fully take over as the ILCC’s new Executive Director.
As my right-hand man, Mateo has single-handedly elevated our music, dance and theater programming while establishing strong relationships with local arts and community organizations. He has also played a pivotal role in the post-pandemic success of the Chicago Latino Film Festival. I leave behind a hard-working team that is as committed and passionate about the organization’s mission as I have been. I am truly excited about this new chapter in the ILCC’s long history of service and Latino arts advocacy and programming. I ask you that you support Mateo and his team in the same way that you have supported me all these years.
I have long believed that the arts are a weapon against racism, discrimination and misconceptions. That they can tear down the walls that divide us. That through them we can create a community of equals. I have devoted body and soul to this mission for 42 years. And even though it hasn’t been easy at times, I take great satisfaction in our many successes. I take great comfort in the knowledge that our work touched several generations of Chicagoans and that our events served as a platform for thousands of local, national and international artists, some of whom today are our worldwide ambassadors. Nothing filled my heart more these past 42 years than seeing venues packed with people in communion with these artists. It was all worth it.
The Dream Lives On
The arts are now more important than ever given our current political climate. Which is why I haven’t given up on my dream of a venue that would serve as a multi-arts complex and the headquarters for the International Latino Cultural Center. The idea has evolved throughout the years but the need has not. Chicago deserves a space where the Pan-Latino diaspora sees itself represented through the arts. Mateo will play an active role in making sure this dream becomes a reality.
I leave the organization in a good place. We have already announced the line-up for this year’s edition of the Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series; the Reel Film Club is back at Facets; our annual Films in the Parks program begins on Wednesday, July 8 and will play at different city parks for the following five Wednesdays; and plans are already being made for the next Chicago Latino Dance Festival in the fall. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
I may be retiring but I will still be around. I will be prioritizing my health above all things; I do want to spend more time with my children, grandchildren and relatives. And, yes, enjoy the fruits of my labor…and even attend some of the events produced by the ILCC but now as a member of the audience.
As always, I remain eternally grateful to each and every one of you who joined me in this journey: from all the board members and staff who have served the ILCC for more than four decades, to the foundations and sponsors who have financially supported our mission, and the thousands of volunteers who willingly gave of their time because they believed in our cause. But, most importantly, I thank you, our audience. Our work would have been impossible without your support.
Pepe Vargas Executive Director and Founder International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago
