History

What began in 1985 as 14 films projected onto a concrete wall for 500 viewers at Saint Augustine College has grown into a premiere Latino cultural organization with year-round, multi-arts programming. The success of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, which attracted more than 3,500 moviegoers the second time around in 1986, warranted Pepe Vargas to found Chicago Latino Cinema in 1987, the nonprofit organization presenting and coordinating the annual Festival.

Recognizing the success of the Festival and to meet the demand of the ever growing audience for cultural programming, Chicago Latino Cinema began producing events on a year-round basis, including film screenings, theatrical productions, musical concerts, visual art exhibitions, comedy shows, lectures, etc. The organization built more than 15 years of cultural programming experience.

In July of 1999, in order to more accurately depict the multi-arts programming of the organization, and in preparation for its future plans to build a multi-arts facility, Chicago Latino Cinema changed its name to the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC).

International Latino Cultural Center Timeline

1985

The first Chicago Latino Film Festival was created. A program of 14 films projected on a concrete wall and a budget of $10,000 drew a crowd of 500. This was the beginning of a tradition in Chicago.

1987

As a result of the success of the first and second Festival, Pepe Vargas founded the organization, Chicago Latino Cinema, which included himself as the only staff person and a board of directors. The Chicago Latino Cinema's mission was to promote Latino culture and foster understanding between Latinos and other Americans. This was achieved primarily through the Chicago Latino Film Festival and, each year, the popularity increased and the demand for additional cultural programs grew. Peruvian artist, Luis Macharé, created the organization logo. The logo represented the organization's pride in the Festival and depicts a filmstrip with the acronym CLC typeset in the center.

1994

The Chicago Latino Cinema began incorporating other events into its calendar that included Latino dance, comedy, theater and music performances.

1999

Chicago Latino Cinema officially changed its name to the International Latino
Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) in order to accurately depict the transition the organization made from producing one event (the Chicago Latino Film Festival) to producing many events of all art forms throughout the year. The ILCC now promotes Latino culture and fosters understanding among Latinos and non-Latinos through dance, music, visual arts, film, literature and theater.

The new name also prompted the move to re-design the logo. Colombian artist Jaime Mejía designed the new logo based on native and historical pre-Columbian figures that represent a flow of energy and balance--a flow of energy manifested through each program presented by the ILCC.

The ILCC also unveiled its plan to build the Center's facility in downtown Chicago where the Latino arts and culture can thrive. The Center will include art exhibitions, music and theater performances, film screenings, classes, tourism services, and an art gallery, restaurant and gift shop. The Center will work to promote and increase awareness of the great diversity of multi-national Latino cultures, while also serving to advance the cultural vitality of one of the country's most diverse cities.

2001

As an addition to the current logo, Lazos Latinos, a Latino branding and advertising agency, added the tagline, Punto de Encuentro. The new tagline communicates how the ILCC and its cultural events bring together a diverse group of Latinos and non-Latinos, creating a point of encounter (punto de encuentro).