FACT: The films at the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) are definitely not your average multi-million-dollar blockbusters shown at big-box suburban cinemaplexes on any given Saturday night. Instead, you’re exposed to everything from documentaries covering humanitarian issues and blocks of hilarious 10-minute shorts to foreign flicks and the hottest independent films around.
Happening April 9-18, the 50th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is held at three locations this year. Including Downtown Cleveland at its main home in Playhouse Square, Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights and the Cleveland State University School of Film & Media Arts downtown, as well. (There are even some films being shown at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that week. Awesome.)Of course, we can't forget CIFF 50 Streams, which will be available online from April 19-26.
If you really need a reason to get out to this amazing CLE staple, we've got a few...
1. You can watch 300+ films over 11 days
With 90+ features and over 200 shorts from more than 50 countries, conceivably, one could watch a different film for 12+ hours every day for 11 days straight. And, it’s not uncommon to catch a few festivalgoers who call off work for a solid week to enjoy much of the event. (Hey…you should, too.) It all kicks off with the Opening Night screening of "A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole," followed by conversation and celebration that Cleveland film fans won't want to miss.
2. A chance to explore The Land
Our beloved theater district is the largest you'll find outside of New York, and its five theaters make for one incredible film festival experience. With the addition of the CSU School of Film & Media Arts, you really get the Downtown Cleveland experience. You're close to first-class accommodations like the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Playhouse Square, Hilton Cleveland Downtown, and others, as well as great restaurants like Cibreo, Republic Food + Drink, Yours Truly, Hofbräuhaus Cleveland, and Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar.
Take a short drive to the Cedar Lee Theatre, located in Cleveland Heights, to escape the city for suburban vibes. You've got your pick for post-movie grub with places like Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant, Bottlehouse Brewery & Meadery and CLE Urban Winery nearby.
3. You can meet the actual filmmakers.
Widely recognized as a “filmmakers' festival,” CIFF will draw filmmakers from all around the world, with more being added every day. What’s better, festival goers at CIFF get the opportunity to chat with the filmmakers immediately following the screenings.
4. It’s great for first-timers.
If you’re a newb to the film fest scene, no worries. CIFF has a unique shorts program that organizes many of its films into categories. This can help first-time festivalgoers select films based on their interests. For 90-110 minutes, enjoy a block of impactful short films around similar themes such as Local Heroes, Family, Comedy and more. See the Shorts Program here.
5. You can watch CIFF Streams online.
Just because the festival ends, it doesn't mean you can't relive your favorite films. Ciff Streams serves as an extension of the in-person festival, and from April 19 - 26, film fans can grab passes or individual tickets to view amazing cinema on web browsers, personal devices, and Roku and Apple TV devices.
6. It’s more than just films.
Delve deeper into the important topics addressed in some of the festival's films with CIFF's media literacy program for students, FilmSlam, which helps students evaluate and critique the messages they encounter when viewing films. The DReam Maker program honors an LGBTQ+ director each year and provides a cash award to support their future endeavors. The Groundbreaker Award offers a cash award to a filmmaker who is a pioneer in their field and who lifts marginalized voices. Additionally, they allow college students to view the films for free, and there are multiple other education and community programs.
7. It’s ranked up there with Sundance and Cannes.
CIFF was rated one of six standout film festivals in the country, beyond Sundance, by the king of travel himself, Peter Greenberg. CIFF also made its way onto indieWIRE’s list of the 50 leading film festivals around the world. It’s also the largest festival of its kind in the region, and a multiple-time entry in MovieMaker Magazine's 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee. If that weren't enough, they are now one of a few dozen film festivals worldwide that are Academy-qualified in all three short-film categories.
CIFF 50 is Almost Here
The full schedule of films can be found here. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Mar. 11, for CIFF members and Wednesday, Mar. 18, for the general public. Tickets are $19.50 for the general public and $17 for CIFF members.
For more info, click here.