When we launched our annual poster contest for the 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival, we were looking for something special – an image that would capture not just the essence of Latino cinema, but the pure joy and creative spirit that makes our festival unique. We found exactly that in the winning design by Brazilian artist Camila ‘Mila’ Bernardo, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you.
The Art of Balance: Meet Our Winning Artist
Picture this: a filmmaker performing an acrobatic feat on a stepladder, camera in one hand, clapboard in the other, somehow managing to capture the perfect shot while defying gravity. This playful scene, brought to life through Mila Bernardo’s vibrant digital brushstrokes, perfectly embodies the balancing act that is filmmaking.
Born under the sunny skies of Santos, a picturesque beach town in São Paulo, Brazil, Mila brings her unique perspective to our festival’s visual identity. A graduate of Centro Universitário Belas Artes de São Paulo, she has masterfully blended her graphic design expertise with her painter’s soul to create something truly special.
More Than Meets the Eye
Look closely at the winning design, and you’ll discover delightful details that reveal themselves like easter eggs in a beloved film. The colors of the Brazilian flag weave throughout the composition, paying homage to Mila’s roots. And here’s a clever twist – the filmmaker’s posed figure that forms the number 41, a subtle nod to our festival’s legacy.
“The entire illustration was created digitally using pastel brushes on a textured paper background,” Mila explains, describing how she achieved that perfect blend of digital precision and artistic warmth. The hand-drawn lettering adds an extra touch of whimsy, making the whole piece feel like a celebration.
From Competition to Creation
This winning design wasn’t just luck – it emerged victorious from a pool of nearly 600 submissions from artists across the globe. From Argentina to Turkey, Morocco to China, creative minds worldwide sought to capture the spirit of our festival. Mila’s vision stood out for its ability to remind us that even in the serious business of filmmaking, there’s always room for joy.
Be the First to Own a Piece of Festival History
Here’s some exciting news: for the first time ever, you don’t have to wait until the festival to own a piece of this artwork. Starting today, we’re launching our merchandise collection featuring Mila’s winning design. You can grab your hoodies and t-shirts through our online store at chicagolatinofilmfestival.org, with more items coming soon.
Mark Your Calendars!
The 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival runs April 3-14, 2025, bringing you nearly 100 feature-length and short films from across Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the United States. We’ll be hosting screenings at three iconic Chicago venues:
- Davis Theatre (4614 N. Lincoln Ave.) – Opening and Closing Nights
- Instituto Cervantes (31 W. Ohio St.) – Special Events
- Landmark Century Center (2828 N. Clark St.) – 41st CLFF Feature and Shorts scheduled films
Join Our Festival Family
Want to be part of something special? Sign up for an ILCC membership by March 15th, and you’ll receive a FREE mini-passport good for four festival screenings. Members also enjoy a 20% discount on all year round ILCC events and an invitation to our exclusive festival kick-off party.
From its humble beginnings in 1985 with just 500 attendees, our festival has grown into a cultural phenomenon that draws more than 50,000 film lovers annually. Mila Bernardo’s winning poster design perfectly captures this spirit of growth, creativity, and joy that has defined our festival for four decades.
Stay tuned for our program announcements coming in late February/early March. In the meantime, why not grab some festival merch and join us in celebrating the art of Latino cinema?
Visit latinoculturalcenter.org/membership-benefits to learn more about becoming a member, and don’t forget to check out our online store at chicagolatinofilmfestival.org to be among the first to wear this year’s stunning design.
The 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival: Where cinema meets creativity, and everyone’s invited to join the celebration!
