The 10th Annual Houston Latino Film Festival (HLFF) returns March 18–22, 2026 at Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston: MATCH Houston, marking a decade of uplifting Latino stories, artists, and communities through cinema.
This year’s festival carries special meaning. What began as a three-day grassroots event in Houston’s East End has grown into a multi-day cultural gathering that welcomes filmmakers, artists, and audiences from across the region and beyond. The 2026 Festival will mark a decade of showcasing films that reflect the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Latino artists. The 10th-year slogan, “¡Houston, Aquí Estamos!” — underscores the Festival’s mission to uplift emerging artists whose voices are often underrepresented in mainstream media.
“When we started this, there wasn’t really a place that was featuring consistent Latino storytelling,” said Pedro Rivas, HLFF Program Director. “Quickly we saw how vital the significance of having Latino representation was in our community, and presenting this opportunity to audiences allowed the Houston Latino Film Festival to grow while staying grounded in its original mission.”
“Over the last ten years, what’s made HLFF special is the collaboration between filmmakers, musicians, and visual artists,” said David Cortez, HLFF Operations Director. “Adding performing and visual arts components isn’t an add-on—it’s a recognition that Latino stories are expressed in many forms. Bringing those disciplines together deepens the audience experience and strengthens the creative community we’ve built here in Houston.”
“Reaching our 10th anniversary is a testament to the power of community and the unwavering belief in the importance of Latino storytelling,” adds DaveCebrero Ortega, HLFF Festival Director. “We look forward to honoring the filmmakers, artists, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who have helped build this Festival over the past decade.”
HLFF is dedicated to fostering storytelling from featured artists and creators from Texas, Latin America, Spanish-speaking countries globally, and beyond, as well as the generations they have inspired. The festival has served as a powerful place for filmmakers, community partners, appreciators and supporters over the past decade.
The full 2026 program will include premieres, feature-length films of all genres, documentaries, short film programs, discussion panels, filmmaking workshops, musical performances and more from emerging and established artists. Audiences can also expect special guest filmmaker Q&As, industry conversations, and community-centered events that celebrate a decade legacy while spotlighting the next generation of Latino filmmakers and creatives.
Inside the 2026 Program:
For updates, announcements, and ticket information, visit houstonlatinofilmfestival.org and follow HLFF on social media; Instagram, FB, & @houstonlatinofilmfestival