Tuesday, May 27th at Facets Film Forum – 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
CLFF Showcase: Favorite Shorts of the 41st
The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) announces the summer schedule for their monthly Reel Film Club series of screenings. Held on the last Tuesday of each month (except March, April and December) at Facets Film Forum, 1517 West Fullerton Ave., the Reel Film Club celebrates a theme night with a food and drink reception and screening showcasing films and filmmakers from Latin America, Spain and Portugal followed by a post-screening discussion.
Admission is $25, $20 for members of ILCC & Facets. The price of admission includes a reception with appetizers and cash bar at 6 pm followed by the screening at 7 pm. The appetizers represent the country of origin of the film being shown. The screening is followed by a discussion with a local film critic.
It is worth mentioning that Facets Film Forum is celebrating 50 years of continuous operation and is considered a Mecca of international film in Chicago. The International Latino Cultural Center has presented the Chicago Film Festival at this storied venue in the past and it is the current home of our Reel Film Club!
For the first time, the RFC is offering a Special Promotion of $150, (buy 3, get one free ticket package). Choose from any four presentations between May 27th up to November 25th. Must be purchased by June 24th, 2025 – More information available at LatinoCulturalCenter.org
The summer season begins Tuesday, May 27 with the CLFF Showcase: Favorite Shorts of the 41st, a program of five shorts that include the winner of the Festival’s Audience Choice Award for Best Short, Paper Flower directed by Joe Miñoso (Chicago Fire) and the winners of second and third place: Lilliana M. Molina’s Arranca and Unless We Dance (A menos que bailemos) directed by Hanz Rippe Gabriel and Fernanda Pineda Palencia.
As part of the shorts showcase program, the Center will be presenting director Joe Miñoso with the Audience Choice Award statuette designed by Mexican sculptor David Camorlinga Tagle
- Arranca (Puerto Rico/USA; Director: Liliana M. Molina): Carmen is a 75-year-old woman in the early stages of dementia. Laura, the eldest out of her four children, lives a hectic life but she always makes time to take care of her mother. Things get out of control for Laura when Carmen can’t find her precious emerald ring, a gift from her beloved husband Sebastian. Second Place Audience Choice Award for Best Short-41st CLFF
- Unless We Dance/A menos que bailemos (Colombia; Directors: Hanz Rippe Gabriel, Fernanda Pineda Palencia): Jonathan, a dance teacher, undertakes an initiative to rescue young people from the crime that stalks Quibdó, a city with the highest homicide rates in Colombia. This is how Black Boys Chocó emerged, a dance company where hundreds of young people try to overcome difficult social situations through dance. Third Place Audience Choice Award for Best Short-41st CLFF
- Fever/Fiebre (Dominican Republic; Director: Steven Luna): In the Dominican Republic, baseball is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. This short documentary follows teenager Derrick Aquino among other teenage players at Elevate Baseball Academy, as they push forward with unmatched resolve.
- Little Hot Water Bottle/La bolsita de agua caliente (Argentina; Director: Juliana Brutti): In this dialogue-free heartwarming story, Catalina discovers that what she thought would be the most boring night of her life will turn into the adventure of a lifetime. The relationship with her grandmother opens the door to a wonderful world in the shape of a little red hot water bottle.
- Paper Flower (USA; Director: Joe Miñoso): Chicago Fire’s Joe Miñoso tells the story of a 10-year-old Latino “DREAMer” who has to care for his seven-year-old sister through their family’s immigration struggle by using the power of his imagination. Winner Audience Choice Award for Best Short-41st CLFF