By: Ashmar Mandou

International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) Founder and Executive Director Pepe Vargas announced he will be retiring due to health related issues. Hailing from Colombia, Vargas founded ILCC in 1987 with a mission on promoting Latino culture through its flagship event, the annual Chicago Latino Film Festival. ILCC has become the driver of a bevy of festivals centered on promoting Latino culture, such as the Chicago Latino Music Series and other events.

“I never saw myself retiring from the organization. I love what I do and believe that the work we do at the ILCC is important, relevant, and transcendental not only for the Latino community but for the entire City of Chicago,” said Vargas. “But recent events have served as a wake-up call for me. I need to prioritize my health above all things; I want to see my grandchildren grow into vibrant, productive and creative adults, much like my children have.

“I step down with the full confidence that I have assembled a team that is as committed and passionate about the ILCC’s mission as I still am. As my right-hand man, Mateo has single-handedly elevated our music, dance and theater programming while establishing strong relationships with local arts and community organizations. He has also played a pivotal role in the post-pandemic success of the Chicago Latino Film Festival. I am optimistic and excited about this organization’s future and am eternally grateful for the support we have received from artists, from the many corporate and funding institutions and, most importantly, from our community,” added Vargas.

What started out as a small-scale 14 film festival in St. Augustine College over 40 years ago, developed into a cultural staple with films from across Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and the U.S., and enjoyed by close to 50,000 people. Under Vargas’s leadership, the Chicago Latino Film Festival is the now the longest continuously running Latino film festival in the country. “Pepe Vargas is more than a cultural leader. He is an institution within Chicago’s arts community. For decades, he has championed the idea that Latino culture deserves not only recognition, but a permanent and thriving place within the city’s cultural identity. His leadership has elevated countless voices, strengthened organizations, and enriched the cultural life of Chicago. His legacy will endure in the institutions he built, the people he mentored, and the communities he brought together through the power of arts and culture,” said ILCC Board.

Vargas will officially step down on June 30. The ILCC’s Board of Directors also announced the immediate appointment of Deputy Executive Director Mateo Mulcahy as Interim Executive Director. Mulcahy will transition to Executive Director on July 1st, 2026.

Photo Credit: The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago