by Erica Wiethorn, CAP Program Assistant
¡Vamos al cine! Today, the 29th Chicago Latino Film Festival kicks off two whole weeks of international film screenings in venues all around the city. The largest and oldest Latino film festival in the nation, the CLFF presents over 100 films of cultural and social significance from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the U.S.
Esperanza, who came to Chicago from Spain on the CCI Career Advancement Program, is helping to plan this exciting and star-studded annual film festival as part of her role with the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. With a background in international relations and journalism, Esperanza helps the ILCC with community development, media marketing, programming and maintaining relationships with various cultural groups in Chicago and beyond. She also assists with special events, hence her ability to place a couple select names on the guest list!
Since the ILCC is right around the corner from CCI Greenheart’s National Office, Esperanza invited CAP staff to attend the Kick-off Party for the 29th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival. At the event, CAP staff members Lauren and Erica saw Esperanza in action as she helped the operations of the event flow smoothly. They spent the evening trying to spot the some of the festival’s celebrities in the crowd, practicing their Spanish, and mingling with other members of Chicago’s cultural and arts communities.
If you happen to be in Chicago this month, check out the Latino Film Festival’s schedule and try to catch a flick! Or, read more about the Latino Cultural Center’s mission here. ¡Hasta luego!