There is an art form that refuses to be tamed. It lives in the stomp of a heel on a wooden stage, in the ache of a voice reaching for something beyond language, in the precise tension of a guitarist’s fingers coaxing fire from six strings. Flamenco is not something you simply watch — it is something that finds you, grabs you, and doesn’t let go. It transmits the anguish, the pain, the joy and the passions of life, all expressed thorough fiber and sinew and an ancient calling from the past.

The 24th Chicago Flamenco Festival, presented by the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago in collaboration with the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, brings an extraordinary international lineup to the city from March 1 through March 17, 2026. All performances take place at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 West Ohio Street in the River North neighborhood. Tickets range from $20 to $35, and the full schedule with ticketing is available at chicago.cervantes.es.

This year as in years past, the festival in Chicago coincides with the World Flamenco Congress (Congreso Mundial de Flamenco), a global initiative founded in 2021 by the headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes in Spain. Chicago is one of the principal host cities in 2026, placing our city squarely at the center of an international conversation about flamenco’s past, present, and future. That is not a small thing. That is Chicago being recognized as a major North American home for one of humanity’s most profound art forms — one that UNESCO itself declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity back in 2010.

A Festival Built on Depth

Teresa Hernando, Cultural Programs Curator at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago and the architect of this festival’s vision, puts it plainly:

“This Festival was born from the conviction that Chicago deserved to experience flamenco at the highest artistic level,” said Teresa Hernando, Cultural Programs Curator and Festival Producer. “For twenty-four years, we have built a platform where master artists and visionary creators meet an informed and passionate audience. It is not a showcase; it is a dialogue
between history and the present. Here, tradition and risk coexist.”

The 2026 program is remarkable in its range. Rather than serving up a single, monolithic vision of flamenco, it places the art form in honest dialogue with its own complexity — its Andalusian roots, its Moorish and Mediterranean inheritance, its contemporary restlessness, and its capacity for genuine cross-cultural encounter.

The Full Performance Schedule

Sunday, March 1 — RAW (Opening Night) Granada-born dancer and choreographer Irene Morales opens the festival alongside cantaor El Calerito and guitarist José Fermín Fernández. RAW strips flamenco to its essential architecture — rhythm, breath, gesture, silence — while weaving in electronic textures that expand the form without losing its pulse. This is flamenco distilled to its bones, and it is the perfect entry point for the festival.

Friday, March 6 — Latente/Malagueña Guitarist Dani de Morón — born in Morón de la Frontera and shaped by the legendary lineage of Diego del Gastor — brings original compositions alongside the deeply traditional Malagueña. A collaborator of José Mercé, Paco de Lucía, and Antonio Canales, Dani de Morón is one of the most technically authoritative guitarists working in flamenco today.

Saturday, March 7 — YARIN One of the most conceptually daring offerings of the festival. Andrés Marín, one of flamenco’s most innovative choreographer-dancers, meets Jon Maya and the acclaimed Kukai Dantza company in an encounter between flamenco and ancestral Basque dance. Kukai Dantza — winners of Spain’s National Dance Award for creation in 2017 — bridges ancient Basque tradition with contemporary movement. Live music by Basque musician Julen Achiary and the haunting rhythms of the txalaparta percussion instrument make this an evening unlike anything Chicago stages regularly. YARIN is a reminder that identity and artistic dialogue are not mutually exclusive — they can be the same conversation.

Saturday, March 14 — José Antonio Rodríguez ⭐ Co-produced by the ILCC Guitarist José Antonio Rodríguez brings an evening dedicated entirely to the flamenco guitar repertoire, bridging classical structure with contemporary harmonic language. This concert is co-produced by the ILCC, making it a particularly meaningful night for our organization and our community. Tickets are $20–$35 at chicago.cervantes.es — don’t miss it.

Tuesday, March 17 — Seffarine: From Fez to Jerez ⭐ Co-produced by the ILCC | Festival Closing Night The festival closes — and what a closing it is. Seffarine, led by Moroccan vocalist Lamiae Naki and multi-instrumentalist Nat Hulskamp, joined by dancer Manuel Gutiérrez and bassist Yosmel Montejo, traces centuries of musical exchange between North Africa and Andalusia. The program illuminates something that often gets overlooked in popular presentations of flamenco: its deep, living roots in the Moorish world of medieval Iberia. From Fez to Jerez is not just a concert title — it is a historical argument made in music and movement. This closing night is also co-produced by the ILCC. Tickets are $20–$35 at chicago.cervantes.es.

The ILCC’s Role: More Than a Partner

The ILCC’s connection to this festival runs deep. Our Deputy Executive Director, Mateo Mulcahy, is co-producing both the March 14 and March 17 concerts, bringing the ILCC’s creative energy and community reach directly into the heart of the programming.

Mateo had this to say about the collaboration and what these two concerts mean:

The International Latino Cultural Center (or the ILCC) values the opportunity to showcase the bonds between Spain and Latin America through collaborations with the Instituto Cervantes and the Chicago Flamenco Festival. The power of flamenco in its many forms and expressions inspires us to seek out and explore the cultural connections between Spain and Latin America.

Having veteran Maestro José Antonio Rodríguez and Seffarine shows the contrast and evolution of an artform that has lived in our midst for centuries and can still demonstrate the capacity for innovation and growth.

This kind of partnership — between the Instituto Cervantes and the ILCC — reflects exactly what both organizations exist to do: build bridges. Between Spain and the Americas. Between the classical and the contemporary. Between an art form with 1,000 years of history and an audience that may be experiencing it for the very first time tonight.

Listen Before You Go: HablArte! Podcast

Want to go deeper before stepping into the theater? We’ve got you covered.

The latest episode of our HablArte! podcast features an unmissable conversation with Mateo Mulcahy, Teresa Hernando, and Nat Hulskamp and Manuel Gutiérrez of Seffarine. Together, they explore the creative vision behind the festival, the story of Seffarine: From Fez to Jerez, and the living connections between North African musical heritage and Andalusian flamenco. It is the kind of conversation that will completely transform how you hear and see these performances live.

[PODCAST LINK/EPISODE COMING SOON.]

An Invitation

I have been immersed in Latino and Spanish culture my entire life. I grew up in Spain. I attended Spanish schools. I know what it means to feel flamenco not as a spectacle but as a living, breathing thing — something inherited, argued over, reinvented, and fiercely protected by the communities that carry it.

What this festival offers Chicago is rare. It is not a greatest-hits tour. It is not a postcard version of Spain for tourists. It is the real conversation that flamenco artists, scholars, and cultural leaders are having right now, in 2026, about where this art form comes from, where it is going, and what it means for all of us — regardless of whether our family comes from Andalusia, Morocco, the Basque Country, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or Illinois.

Come on March 1. Come on March 6 or 7. Come on March 14 for a masterclass in guitar, or March 17 to hear the musical dialogue between Fez and Jerez close out the festival on a note that will stay with you for weeks.

You don’t need to know anything about flamenco to walk through that door. You just need to be willing to feel something. Willing to open your mind to new things and broaden horizons beyond where the sun rises.

Tickets: $20–$35 | All performances at Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 West Ohio Street Full schedule and tickets: chicago.cervantes.es

The 24th Chicago Flamenco Festival is presented by the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago in collaboration with the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, and supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Tourist Office of Spain in Chicago, and Best Western River North Hotel.

This Month’s Star: Texas Style Pulled Pork

Chef Nick Kleutsh from Sanders BBQ has cooked up something special for February—a Texas-style pulled pork taco that’s a love letter to the Southwest. We’re talking slow-smoked pork with that authentic Texas BBQ soul, wrapped in Mercadito’s house-made tortillas and topped with flavors that celebrate the culinary traditions where Mexican and American Southwest cooking collide.

Kleutsh is no stranger to BBQ neither – he is a master at it and to say these tacos are delicious can only be challenged with a taste test!

It’s the kind of taco that makes you understand why BBQ is a religion in Texas, and why tacos are a way of life everywhere else. Put them together, and you’ve got something worth making a pilgrimage for.

How It Works

Simple: you order the February Tacos 4 Strength special, you eat really well, and a portion of the proceeds goes directly to supporting the ILCC’s mission of promoting and preserving Latino arts and culture in Chicago. Win-win-win.

The ILCC is the organization behind the Chicago Latino Film Festival, showcasing Latino cinema since 1985, bringing filmmakers and artists to Chicago, and creating spaces where culture thrives. Your taco habit can literally fund the arts. That’s the kind of multitasking we can get behind.

Where to Find It

Mercadito River North
108 W Kinzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
River North

Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Thursday-Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Getting There:
CTA Red Line: Grand Station (State & Grand) – 5-minute walk
CTA Buses: #65 Grand, #22 Clark, #36 Broadway

So grab some friends, hit up Mercadito, and order that Texas Style Pulled Pork taco. Your February just got more delicious—and more philanthropic. The more you eat the more you support good eating and Latino arts in Chicago.

Something stayed with him on that day. And when the Washington D.C.-based graphic designer sat down to create his entry for the 42nd Chicago Latino Film Festival poster competition, those memories became the foundation of his design.

This week, the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago announced that Mejía’s entry had won first place, selected from more than 750 submissions representing countries from around the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

From Observation to Design

Mejía, a Salvadoran visual artist and photographer, translated his Chicago experience into what he describes as “a bold, cinematic graphic language.” The poster features a filmmaker at its center—the person behind the camera, captured in motion.

“The composition emphasizes process, movement, and collaboration, honoring not only the director but the entire team whose combined effort makes each story possible,” Mejía explained. “The design reflects cinema as both a crafted structure and a living, collective experience.”

Pepe Vargas, Executive Director of the International Latino Cultural Center and founder of the festival, praised the winning design. “Don’t let the simplicity of Ed’s magnificent design fool you,” Vargas said. “It speaks about the power the camera gives moviemakers to tell our stories and to bear witness to the many abuses inflicted on our community.”

For many years, the submissions to the Chicago Latino Film Festival’s Poster Contest have used early 20th Century camera and film representations. The selection committee was drawn to the fact that Mejías’ design brought that vision into the 21st Century, with modern camera images and iconógraphy.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

Mejía brings both formal training and a personal creative philosophy to his work. He holds a Master’s degree in Advertising and a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the School of Design “Rosemarie Vázquez Liévano de Ángel” at UJMD in El Salvador.

His professional portfolio includes branding projects, commercial and artistic photography, social media content creation, and editorial design. But Mejía doesn’t limit himself to one style or medium.

“For years, I questioned my style, trying to fit into a box,” he said in a recent interview with Sitar Arts Center in Washington D.C., where he placed second in their 15th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition. “But that only limited my curiosity. I give myself the freedom to evolve.”

His work blends photography, collage, and painting—whatever medium best serves the story he’s trying to tell. He describes his role as “a translator of inner worlds,” creating from emotion, memory, and present experience rather than adhering to a predetermined aesthetic.

The Daily Practice

Mejía maintains a disciplined creative routine. He sketches for ten minutes every day, not necessarily to produce finished work, but to stay connected to his creative process.

“Create every day,” he advises other artists. “Not for validation, not for perfection—just to stay connected to your essence. Don’t wait for inspiration. Let it find you already in motion.”

He’s currently developing a personal project called “33+,” a multidisciplinary exploration of identity through self-portraiture, collage, and painting. The title references both his current age and the idea that identity is fluid rather than fixed—shaped by memory, time, and experience. He hopes to complete the collection by the end of the year.

The Festival and Beyond

Mejía’s winning poster will serve as the visual identity for the 42nd Chicago Latino Film Festival, appearing on schedules, invitations, merchandise, and promotional materials. He receives a $1,000 prize for the winning design.

The festival will run from April 16-27, 2026, at the Landmark Century Center, featuring nearly 100 feature-length and short films from Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, and the United States.

Since its founding in 1985 with an audience of 500, the festival has grown to attract more than 50,000 attendees annually across its year-round programming which includes the Reel Film Club, Films in the Park and many other events produced by the International Latino Cultural Center. Mejía’s poster now joins that legacy—a design born from a summer walk through Chicago, filtered through the eyes of an artist who pays attention to what he sees.

For Mejía, the win validates an approach to creativity that values observation, authenticity, and continuous evolution. As he puts it, being an artist means “being the verb, not just the noun”—staying in motion, remaining open to what the world offers.

Eduardo Mejía’s portfolio can be viewed at edmejiastudio.com and on Instagram @edmejiastudio.

Filmmakers, your moment has arrived! 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.