Tag Archives: international competitions

43RD CHICAGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL CONTEST

Application Deadline:  Tuesday, December 1, 2026 (11:59 pm)

LOCATION: USA

The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) will present the 43rd Chicago Latino Film Festival, April 15-26, 2027. For over four decades, the Festival has featured the most representative and diverse selection of films from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, and the United States. The Chicago Latino Film Festival is the longest continuously running Latino film festival in the United States.

They invite artists from around the world to submit a poster concept in our competition. However, preference will be given to artists from Illinois and the Midwest, and to Latino artists living anywhere in the world. The winning design becomes the face of the Festival as it will be on the cover of newsprint programs and the Festival’s website, invitations, electronic ads, merchandise, trailer, social media platforms, animations, and more. 

ELIGIBILITY:

All designs must incorporate the following:
43rd Chicago Latino Film Festival
April 15-26, 2027

Entry is free

Poster images should reflect the Festival’s core mission of presenting and celebrating Iberoamerica’s diverse cultures through film.

The number 43rd should be incorporated into the design. Entries can explore the many ways films are being made today.

Avoid referring to one country or to a specific cultural artifact or symbol or icon (including historical figures); the Festival represents a wide variety of countries and cultural traditions. The poster should reflect this multiplicity.

The theme/concept is “Latino Stories for Movie Lovers”. As such it should reflect the moviegoing experience.

Winning design should have the capacity to be adapted for animation.

Avoid overt stereotypes and symbology. The design should be in good taste.

They want to see your creative genius; as part of the submission process, you will be required to share the tools you used to create your artwork. Fully AI-produced works will not be considered.

Mock-ups of the rendered artwork as tee shirts, posters and merchandise is encouraged.

Entries will be accepted from individuals, collaborative teams, or design firms.

Deadline: Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Late entries will not be considered.

Limit 3 entries per person, team, or firm.

There is no cost to submit.

Only digital copies will be accepted.

Entries will be evaluated based on appeal, content, and marketability.

Design must be easily translated to a variety of mediums.

Minor design adjustments may be required.

SPECIFICATIONS

Submissions must be:

JPEG or PNG format – A lower resolution will be accepted for easy viewing (100 MB max) however, once the poster is selected a high resolution will be needed:

18’’ wide x 24’’ high (Vertical)
150 DPI (RGB) 

All entries must be submitted via the form provided

The winning designer will be required to provide the following:

Artwork should be submitted in digitized layered files that can be edited and animated in image editing software. 

A visual style guide listing color matches, fonts, and other information about your work.

To include the artist’s signature in the design once selected.

SUBMIT: Please fill out the submission form https://chicagolatinofilmfestival.org/ and upload your poster image. If you are having issues uploading your poster, please reach out to them with your contact information (name, email, city/state/country). Please submit smaller-sized files for preview (max 100MB).

DISCLAIMER

Entrants must own full copyright to the design submitted, which they must be able to certify upon request. By submitting your entry to this poster contest, all entrants hereby acknowledge and affirm that the Chicago Latino Film Festival will have the unlimited right to use or display entries submitted for this competition at any time and in any manner. Uses may include, but are not limited to, print or electronic publications, promotional brochures, posters, or other corporate communications materials.

BENEFIT:

WINNER RECEIVES $1,000!

APPLY

THE 14TH ANNUAL ARSO CONTINENTAL ESSAY COMPETITION

Application Deadline: April 23, 2027

LOCATION: Kenya

The Annual ARSO Essay Competition is a prestigious platform dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and critical thinking among the youth across Africa. Each year, they invite students to explore pressing topics, share their perspectives, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable development and standards in Africa. Join in celebrating the power of words and ideas in shaping a brighter future for our continent.

ELIGIBILITY:

14th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2026/2027 Theme—”Advancing Intra-African Trade through Conformity Assessment and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)—Unlocking the Full Potential of the Cotton-to-Clothing Value Chain under the AfCFTA“

University and College Students under the age of 35 years eligible to participate

Enrolled in an accredited tertiary institution in an African Union Member State at the time of submission.

Aged 35 years or below as at the essay submission deadline

Open to students of all disciplines

May submit only one essay for consideration; group or co-authored submissions are not eligible.

Comply with Copyright Rules and AI Ethical Use Practice listed herein

Essay Guidelines

Length: 1,000 – 1,200 words, excluding references, cover page, and appendices.

Language: English or French

Essays must be original, unpublished works. Plagiarized or substantially AI-generated submissions will be disqualified upon detection; sources must be properly referenced using a consistent citation style (e.g., APA).

Submitted as a Word (.docx) document, size 12 font, 1.5-line spacing, with a separate cover page bearing the student’s name, institution, country, and contact details. The essay body itself should not bear the author’s name or institution to support blind judging.

Essays must be submitted through the National Coordinator in the student’s country of study; direct submissions to the ARSO Secretariat will be referred to the relevant National Coordinator.

Kindly attach a copy of the Identity Card or Passport and a completely filled Registration Form (ARSO/CACO/EC/Form 1/2026).

Download the Concept Note – Download Here English | Download Here French

Download the Registration Form – Download Here English | Download Here French

BENEFIT:

Prizes and Recognition

1st Prize: $1000 cash award, certificate of excellence, and public recognition at the ARSO Awards Ceremony.

2nd Prize: $800 Cash award and certificate of excellence.

3rd Prize: $500 Cash award and certificate of excellence.

APPLY