Despite making up a significant portion of the population, Latinos are highly underrepresented in the film industry. Only 4% of Latinos dominate the writer’s room, they make up just 3% in film productions, and only 1% of broadcast TV shows according to a new article from McKinsey & Company, Called Latinos in Hollywood: Amplifying Voices, Expanding Horizons.
However, the tide is slowly turning. The film community has united their efforts to create a growing number of Latino film festivals that offer Latinos a vital platform in the film world to showcase their work. Not only do these festivals provide exposure but even inspires future Latino filmmakers to participate and integrate themselves in the industry.
If you’re an advertiser or producer looking to broaden Latino representation in the film world, consider submitting your work to one of these top Latino Film Festivals.
Top Latino Film Festivals at a Glance
Here is a quick overview of the top Latino film festivals we will cover in this blog.
| Film Festival | Location | Types of Films |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival | Los Angeles, CA | Feature films, shorts, episodic, music |
| Chicago Latino Film Festival | Chicago, IL | Feature films and shorts |
| New York Latino Film Festival | New York, NY | Feature films, documentaries, and shorts |
| San Diego Latino Film Festival | San Diego, CA | Feature film, shorts, episodic content |
| Georgia Latino Film Festival | Georgia | Feature films, shorts, documentaries, web series, music videos |
| Cinefest Latino Boston | Boston, MA | Feature films |
| Seattle Latino Film Festival | Seattle, WA | Feature films, documentaries |
| Hola Mexico Film Festival | Los Angeles, CA | Documentaries, feature films and shorts |
| The Santa Fe Film Festival | Santa Fe, TN | Documentaries, feature films, shorts |
9 Must-Attend Latino Film Festival
These nine events are our picks for must-see latino film festivals that celebrate and showcase Latino talent, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond. They are widely known and hold a solid reputation in the film industry.
1. Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) commits to recognizing individuals that have committed excellence for the Latino community in the film and entertainment industry.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Dates: TBA
Ticket prices: TBA
Types of films: Feature films, shorts, episodic, music.
Website: Los Angeles Latino International Film Festivals (LALIFF)
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival include shorts, feature films, episodic content and music videos for this festival.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $50.00
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
2. Chicago Latino Film Festival
Celebrating their 42nd festival this year, the Chicago Latino Film Festival is a well-known event that connects the film community with the new Iberoamerican cinema spotlighting their latest films.
Location: Chicago
Dates: April 16th – 27th, 2026
Ticket Prices: TBD
Types of films: Feature films and shorts.
Website: Chicago Latino Film Festival
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival include shorts, feature films, and documentaries that cover stories that have to do with Latin American, Spanish, or Portuguese content.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $50.00
Entry deadline: December 1st, 2025
3. New York Latino Film Festival
The New York Latino Film Festivals brings together the Latina film community to join in on relevant entertainment experiences to support Latinx film work spotlighting several screenings including features, shorts, documentaries and other free events.
Location: New York, NY
Dates: August 26th, 2024
Ticket Prices: $125.00 Festival pass.
Types of films: Feature films, documentaries, and shorts.
Website: New York Latino Film Festival
How to submit your work:
Short films are considered for this festival.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $50.00
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
4. San Diego Latino Film Festival
The San Diego Latino Film Festival was established initially as a student film festival to focus on latino filmwork. Since then, it has developed into a strongly reputable latino film festival in the industry.
Location: San Diego, CA
Dates: March 18th – March 22nd, 2025
Ticket Prices: TBA
Types of films: Feature film, shorts, episodic content.
Website: San Diego Latino Film Festival
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival include features, shorts and episodic content.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $40.00
Entry deadline: October 22nd, 2026
5. Georgia Latino Film Festival
The Georgia Latino International Film Festival spotlights Latino produced films among other national and international entries. Their mission is to build awareness of independent films and create opportunities for the community of Georgia to experience high quality latino film work.
Location: Georgia
Dates: October 2nd – 5th, 2025
Ticket Prices: $100.00
Types of films: Feature films, shorts, documentaries, web series, music videos.
Website: Georgia Latino International Film Festival
How to submit your work:
All films must have a trailer, director’s bio and statement, and credits. Entries must be written, directed, produced and acted by Latinos. Films considered for this festival include features, short films, documentaries, short documentaries and web series.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $50.00
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
6. Cinefest Latino Boston
The Cinefest Latino Boston LLC is an annual film festival that highlights stories by and from Latino filmmakers and storytellers. This festival brings the Latinx community together, using the power of film to break stereotypes and bring cultures together.
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: September 24th – 28th, 2025
Ticket prices: $100.00 all-access pass
Types of films: Feature films.
Website: Cinefest Latino Boston
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival include features, short films, and documentaries that must cover stories about the U.S. Latino community, Latin America and Spain. The films must be produced between 2021 and 2024.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $30.00
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
7. Seattle Latino Film Festival
The Seattle Latino Film Festival celebrates and promotes cultural diversity focusing on Latinx film work including, documentaries, feature films and shorts. They help connect Latinx film communities together hosting Q&A sessions providing panel discussions and other opportunities to engage with other Latinx voices in film.
Location: Seattle, WA
Dates: October 10th – 18th, 2025
Ticket Prices: $90.00
Types of films: Documentaries, feature films and shorts.
Website: Seattle Latino Film Festival
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival include features, short films, documentaries, short documentaries and animations.
Entry price: Entry price starting at $25.00
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
8. Hola Mexico Film Festival 2025
Hola Mexico Film Festival is one of the largest Mexican Film Festivals outside of Mexico gathering the Latinx community to experience the best of Mexican filmmaking, including 20+ films.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Dates: September 12th – 20th, 2025
Ticket Prices: $199.00
Types of films: Feature films, documentaries.
Website: Hola Mexico Film Festival 2024
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival must be produced in Mexico.
Entry price: Free
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
9. The Santa Fe Film Festival
The Santa Fe Film Festival brings together many directors, storytellers and movie lovers to host screenings, panels, workshops and parties to showcase all things cinematic in New Mexico.
Location: Santa Fe
Dates: February 19th – 23rd, 2025
Ticket prices:
Types of films: Documentaries, feature films, shorts.
Website: The Santa Fe Film Festival
How to submit your work:
Films considered for this festival include features and short films.
Entry price: Standard submissions starting at $60.00
Entry deadline: Entries closed.
Conclusion: Which Latino Film Festival Will You Attend?
There is no better time to explore and celebrate Latino filmworks than during Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year. These top latino film festivals provide a platform for the latinx film community to showcase storytelling that connects the audience with the Latino film experiences.
Have an upcoming film project in the works? CMS Productions offers back-office production affair services and is a third party signatory to the IATSE and Teamsters agreements. If we can help streamline your next film’s back office functions, we’d be delighted. Contact us today to set up a consultation.
