Our Mission

The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) is a leading institute of cinema exhibition with the year-round programming of Chicanx, Latinx, and Latin American films. Each component of LACLA is firmly committed to the cultivation of cultural expression and exchange among students, educators, filmmakers, and community members of diverse backgrounds through the art of cinema. LACLA was founded in 1997 by a group of Los Angeles-based Latinx cultural activists and cinéastes in response to the lack of local, as well as national, exhibition spaces for Latinx and Latin American cinemas. The group began by screening classic Mexican films in partnership with the Los Angeles Conservancy's "Last Remaining Seats" classic movie series in the historic downtown Los Angeles theatre district. LACLA has since grown to encompass various programs providing youth and adults opportunities to engage with the vibrant and innovative bodies of Chicanx, Latinx, and Latin American filmmaking.

Our Goals

TO PROMOTE AND INCREASE the visibility of Latin American cinema

TO SHOWCASE the established and up-and-coming Latino cineastes from the United State to Latin America

TO ENCOURAGE youth from Los Angeles and Southern California to pursue careers in film and media studies

TO STIMULATE a dialogue about the artistic merits of Latin American cinema