Last Friday, April 20th, marked the opening of one of the largest Latino film festivals in the United States, the Chicago Latino Film Festival. The festival, now in its 22nd year, features close to 100 films from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States and is hosting over 70 visiting filmmakers. The event, sponsored by Univision Chicago and Telefutura Chicago, gave its Gloria Lifetime Achievement Award to Uruguayan/Argentine actress China Zorrilla with the Argentine and Spanish film, Elsa & Fred . Various nights feature films from various Hispanic nations.

Last night the Chicago Latino Film Festival celebrated A Night of Spain with the film El penalti más largo del mundo, about a futbolista tries to defend the goal from the longest-lasting penalty in the world. Tommorow the festival celebrates Noche Mexicana with the film Carambola/Billiards starring Diego Luna. There are films from Puerto Rico, as well as films featuring Chicago Latino life, and the perspective of Latin-American gays and lesbians. Panels focus on the work of women directors and there is even a feature on Latino animation.

If you are in the Chicago area or plan to be in the next week and a half, the Chicago Latino Film Festival runs through May 3rd. You can get more info on the festival at the official Chicago Latino Film Festival website.