Description in English

María, Pablo and Juanito live in an orphanage that is about to be shut down. The news couldn’t come at a worse time for Juanito, who has just been diagnosed with a heart disease. Don Lucho, the owner of the local seafood restaurant, tells the three friends about “Tetanus”, an old racing car that won every single prize until Chácharas, its driver and owner, threw in the towel and stopped competing in races. The trio, in an effort to raise funds to help Juanito pay for an operation, embark on a mission to convince Chácharas to take “Tetanus” for one last ride.

Descripción en Español

María, Pablo y Juanito viven en un orfanato que está a punto de ser cerrado. La noticia no podría llegar en peor momento para Juanito, quien acaba de ser diagnosticado con una enfermedad del corazón. Don Lucho, el dueño del restaurante local de mariscos, les cuenta a los tres amigos sobre “Tetanus”, un viejo auto de carreras que ganó todos los premios hasta que Chácharas, su piloto y dueño, se dio por vencido y dejó de competir en carreras. El trío, en un esfuerzo por recaudar fondos para ayudar a Juanito a pagar una operación, se embarca en una misión para convencer a Chácharas de que lleve a “Tetanus” por una última vuelta.

About Films in the Park – 2025 Summer Season

Latino Cinema Under the Stars

The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) is proud to present Films in the Park, a celebration of Latino Film Arts that brings the magic of cinema to Chicago’s neighborhood parks. This beloved summer program transforms public spaces into outdoor theaters, showcasing the rich diversity of Latino storytelling under the open sky.

Experience the Magic

What better way to watch a film than under the stars in a Park! Films in the Park offers families and communities a unique opportunity to experience Latino cinema in beautiful outdoor settings across Chicago. The series runs throughout the summer, and features family-friendly films in Spanish with English subtitles projected on large screens in various citywide parks for free.

2025 Summer Season

This program runs during the Summer in select parks in a collaboration with the Chicago Parks District. Each screening begins at dusk with an approximate starting time of 8:30 pm, creating the perfect atmosphere for an evening of cultural entertainment and community connection.

Summer Schedule:

• 23 Hours / 23 Horas • July 9th at Riis Park (6100 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago)
• Damn Old People / Viejos Malditos • July 16th at Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.)
• Tetanus / Tétano • July 23rd at Harrison Park (1824 S. Wood Street, Chicago)
• Seeds / Semillas • July 30th at Killbourn Park (3501 N. Killbourn Ave, Chicago)

Click on link to get Park information for each event.

Cultural Mission

As an extension of the Chicago Latino Film Festival—celebrating over 40 years of Latino cinema—Films in the Park serves as a year-round platform for promoting Latino film arts. The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago is proud to present, Films in the Park, a celebration of Latino Film Arts in Chicago. The ILCC produces the Chicago Latino Film Festival each April.

The program showcases diverse Latino voices and stories, from romantic comedies to powerful dramas, representing the full spectrum of Latino cinema from across Latin America, Spain, and the United States. Each film is carefully selected to reflect the cultural richness and artistic excellence of Latino filmmaking.

Community Connection

Films in the Park is more than just a movie screening—it’s a community gathering that brings neighbors together to celebrate Latino culture and cinema. These free outdoor screenings create accessible cultural experiences that foster understanding, appreciation, and dialogue around Latino arts and storytelling.

Planning Your Visit

• When: Throughout the summer, evenings at dusk (approximately 8:30 PM)
• Where: Select Chicago parks in collaboration with the Chicago Parks District
• Cost: Completely FREE and open to the public
• What to Bring: Chairs, blankets, and snacks for a perfect evening under the stars
• Language: Films in Spanish with English subtitles
• Weather: All screenings are weather permitting

Join us for an unforgettable summer of Latino cinema in Chicago’s beautiful parks, where every screening celebrates the power of storytelling to bring communities together.

For the complete schedule and locations, visit LatinoculturalCenter.org. Films in the Park is presented by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago in collaboration with the Chicago Parks District.