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.

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!