An audience of more than 35,000 is expected to attend the 16th Chicago Latino International Film Festival, April 16-29, called “the largest, oldest and best Latino film festival in the country.”
Seven locally made films are among only 16 U.S. selections out of the 100 films culled from in an array of genres reflecting the diversity of Latino culture in Latin America, Portugal, Spain and the U.S.
They include an immigration documentary, and noir thriller, a pair of short gang dramas, and a pair of short docs on Chicago’s Latino community.
Es?u Mel?ndez’s acclaimed feature documentary “Immigrant Nation! The Battle for the Dream” follows the immigration reform movement catalyzed in 2006 by the U.S. House passage of draconian anti-immigrant legislation and the case of Elvira Arellano. After being arrested for social security fraud, Arellano took refuge in a Humboldt Park church in defiance of a deportation order.
It screens Sunday, April 18 at 4 p.m., Friday, April 23 at 9:45 p.m., and Wednesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Landmark Century Centre, 2828 N. Clark St.
