Cleveland International Film Festival
Circa 2003 -2006
This was the official website for the Cleveland International Film Festival.
Content is from the site's 2003 -2006 archived pages offering just a glimpse of what this festival is all about.
The current website for the Cleveland Film Festival, now called the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIIF), is found at: https://www.clevelandfilm.org/
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about cfs |
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Founded in 1977, the Cleveland Film Society has presented the Cleveland International Film Festival every spring for nearly three decades. History:
The first Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) was organized by Jonathan Forman and presented April 13 – June 2, 1977. Eight films from seven countries were shown at the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights over an eight-week period. Presented as a subscription series, the first CIFF received substantial media attention, and attendance indicated that Clevelanders wanted a broader schedule. By its third year, the CIFF had grown to include feature films from around the world, children’s films, retrospectives, and short subjects. A Board of Trustees — consisting of community leaders, film scholars, and film enthusiasts — was assembled to oversee the mission, funding, and growth of the CIFF. By its fifth year, the CIFF had developed a network of screening locations, establishing itself within the Greater Cleveland arts community as an eagerly awaited annual event. Fund raising was enhanced through the generosity of The George Gund Foundation and The Cleveland Foundation, and educational efforts were strengthened as a result. In 1986 the CIFF moved its Opening Night to the Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square, adding to the excitement and appeal of the event. Guest filmmakers regularly attended the Film Festival to introduce their films and answer audience questions. And a fall program of international films became an annual part of the organization’s presentations for a number of years. In January 1991, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move the Film Festival from the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights to Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland, making the event more accessible to film lovers from throughout the region. In addition, , the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland International Film Festival also voted to change the name of the organization to the Cleveland Film Society (CFS). The purpose of the change was to reflect the evolution of the organization’s mission. During its first year downtown, the Festival’s attendance (14,000) fell slightly. But by 1995 attendance had grown to 23,000. And in 1998 the Festival experienced its greatest one-year increase in attendance: a jump of 16% resulted in 32,000 admissions. At the 28th CIFF in March 2004, there were more than 39,000 admissions. Today the Cleveland International Film Festival is the flagship event of the organization, though certainly not its sole function. Year-round programs and services include Film Feasts (mini-fundraising events), film appreciation classes, and membership activities.
Ohio's premier film event features more than 200 new films from over 40 countries on six continents. Visiting directors, panel discussions, student screenings and a conference for area filmmakers are all CIFF highlights. The Cleveland Film Society serves area film enthusiasts with film appreciation classes and year-round film exhibition. Over 1,500 people belong to its various membership and subscription groups. And tens of thousands of people enjoy its programs. The age range of participants is 8 to 80. Youngsters attend the Family Film Festival at the CIFF and senior citizens share their enjoyment of the art form in film appreciation classes. In addition to being the flagship event of the Cleveland Film Society, the Cleveland International Film Festival is the premier film event between New York and Chicago. A number of different venues are used to showcase the films. If you have sat through as many viewings as I have over the years, you begin to appreciate the better venues because of certain comforts such as cushy seats and the overall quality of the screening experience. You may laugh, but these little details truly enhance the enjoyment of a film festival. Today’s CIFF includes a full survey of contemporary international filmmaking with approximately 100 features from 44 countries and more than 100 short subjects that are shown in collected programs. Along with the main program of international films, there are special sections that add interest and diversity to the overall Festival. These include American independent, documentary, Eastern European, family, gay and lesbian, and Pan-African films. |
We are now accepting entries for the 28th Cleveland International Film Festival.
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The 27th Cleveland International Film Festival
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the programs |
| In addition to being the flagship event of the Cleveland Film Society, the Cleveland International Film Festival is the premier film event between New York and Chicago. Today's CIFF includes a full survey of contemporary international filmmaking with approximately 80 features from 35 countries and more than 100 short subjects that are shown in collected programs. Along with the main program of international films, there are special sections that add interest and diversity to the overall Festival. These include American independent, documentary, Eastern European, family, gay and lesbian, and Pan-African films.
Many filmmakers and other special guests attend the CIFF where they participate in FilmForums, which are panel discussions that give audience members a chance to talk about the films they've seen at the Film Festival. Additionally, through a community outreach program called Cultural Journeys, members of culturally diverse groups and communities learn from one another using the universal language of film. FilmSlam is the CIFF's student film festival for high school students. It is held on weekday mornings during the CIFF. At the 26th CIFF in March 2002, over 2,000 students from 60 Northeast Ohio schools participated in FilmSlam. In addition to viewing films, they met with visiting filmmakers. The three-day Midwest Independent Filmmakers Conference (MIFC) is held during the last weekend of the CIFF each year. This event features panels, workshops, equipment demonstrations, film screenings, and social events. Since it moved into its new Ohio City office space in August 1999, the CFS has been able to offer film appreciation classes (taught by educators and other experts) year-round and on the premises. During the past three years, popular film appreciation classes have included "An Introduction to Film Appreciation," "Fellini on Film," "Film Noir," "Rock Documentaries," and "The Films of Alfred Hitchcock." (By the way, the CFS moved to its current office space on August 13, 1999, which was the 100th anniversary celebration of Alfred Hitchcock's birthday.) Another class, "Opening This Friday," is so popular that it is offered every session. "Opening This Friday" is like a book club for cinephiles: the entire class sees the same new release one week and gets together to talk about it the next week. Currently the CFS is preparing to launch a new education initiative that will focus on media literacy training for educators and media literacy experiences for high school students. |
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| Thursday, March 20, 2003 Opening Night Gala Post-Party Eve 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. 1229 W 6 St, Cleveland - Warehouse District Drink specials and free sushi at Midnight Friday, March 21, 2003 Monday, March 24, 2003 Tuesday, March 25, 2003 Wednesday, March 26, 2003 Thursday, March 27, 2003 Friday, March 28, 2003 Saturday, March 29, 2003 Saturday, March 29, 2003 |
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| 04/10/2003 | ||
| HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 27th CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (CIFF). MARCH 20-30, 2003 TOWER CITY CINEMAS ON THE AVENUE AT TOWER CITY CENTER CLEVELAND, OHIO FACTS AND FIGURES
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| Driving Directions
Tower City Cinemas are located at Tower City Center on Public Square in the heart of downtown Cleveland. |
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| FROM THE WEST Shoreway east to Lakeside Ave. exit South (right) on W. 6th St. West (right) on St. Clair Ave. South (left) on W. 9th St. Continue south on Huron Rd. Enter Tower City Parking on the right. |
FROM THE EAST Shoreway west to W. 3rd St. exit West (right) on St. Clair Ave. South (left) on W. 9th St. Continue south on Huron Rd. Enter Tower City Parking on the right. |
| OR, FROM THE EAST I-90 West to Prospect Ave., Exit 173A West (right) on Prospect Ave. West (left) on Huron Rd. Continue west on Huron Rd. Enter Tower City Parking on the left |
FROM THE SOUTH I-71 North to Ontario Ave., Exit 171B Continue north on Ontario Ave. West (left) on Huron Rd. Enter Tower City Parking on the left |
| OR, FROM THE SOUTH I-77 North to E. 9th St., Exit 163C North (right) on Ontario Ave. West (left) on Huron Rd. Enter Tower City Parking on the left |
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SPONSORS
The 27th Cleveland International Film Festival was sponsored by Adcom Communications, Adelphia, The Avenue at Tower City Center, Avery Dennison Fasson Rolle North America, AVID Communications, Baker & Hostetler LLP, Bartha Visual, Bright.Net, The Camera Department, Century Cycles, Cleveland Cinemas, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Jewish News, Cleveland Magazine, Cleveland Scene, Cleveland Urban Properties, Cohen & Company, Continental Airlines, Consume Design, Copy King, Cuyahoga Community College, Dollar Bank, Film Craft Lab, FilmFinders, The Glenmede Corporation, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Gateway, Holiday Inn Select City Centre Lakeshore, Huntington National Bank, Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade, Ideastream WCPN, IMI Talent, indieWIRE, Intercontinental Suites Cleveland, Intervideo, KeyBank / McDonald Financial Group, Kodak, KPMG, Land Rover Solon, Luchita's Mexican Restaurante, Madstone Films, Magic Eightball Productions, National City Bank, Nice Multimedia, Northeast Projections, PlanetOut Partners, Process Creative Studios, Reserve Square, Residence Inn by Marriott - Cleveland Downtown, The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland, Sheraton Cleveland City Centre Hotel, Silver Screen Media, Sun Newspapers, Sweet & Associates, Thompson Hine LLP, TLA Releasing, Ulmer & Berne LLP, WCLV, WKSU-FM, withoutabox.com, and Women Make Movies.
Major foundation support came from The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening Foundation, the Callahan Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The John P. Murphy Foundation, The William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation, and the Kiwanis Foundation of Greater Cleveland. Government funding was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, and Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman.
The Cleveland International Film Festival is a program of the Cleveland Film Society, which is a not-for-profit arts and education organization. The mission of the Cleveland Film Society is to promote artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community.
The 28th Cleveland International Film Festival will be held March 18-28, 2004.
More Background On ClevelandFilmFestival.com
The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) stands as one of America’s most celebrated and enduring showcases for contemporary cinema. Its journey from a humble selection of international films in the late 1970s to a sprawling, internationally recognized event is a testament to Cleveland’s passion for the arts, the vision of its organizers, and the city’s commitment to cultural growth. This article provides a richly detailed look at the CIFF, tracing its history, leadership, programs, venues, awards, community engagement, and social and cultural impact.
Founding and Evolution
The CIFF was founded in 1977, the brainchild of Jonathan Forman, with the support of a growing cadre of film enthusiasts and Cleveland’s arts establishment. The inaugural festival was held at the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights and featured eight films from seven countries, an ambitious start that signaled the city’s determination to play a major role on the international film circuit. Over subsequent years, the festival expanded rapidly, adding children’s films, retrospectives, short subjects, and building a board of trustees drawn from local leaders, academics, and cinephiles.
As the festival’s reputation grew, it developed a network of screening locations, connecting with the Greater Cleveland arts community and broadening its reach. Major foundations, such as The George Gund Foundation and The Cleveland Foundation, became key benefactors, supporting both educational efforts and organizational growth.
In 1986, the festival gained additional prestige by moving its Opening Night to the Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square, a centerpiece venue in Cleveland’s thriving arts district. Just five years later, the CIFF made another pivotal shift, relocating its primary event to Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland. This not only enhanced accessibility for a regional audience but also reaffirmed the festival’s status as a cultural force in the city’s core.
The Cleveland Film Society
The Cleveland Film Society (CFS) was created as the festival’s parent organization, evolving in tandem with the event itself. In 1991, reflecting a broader mission, the name was formally updated to underscore the Society’s year-round commitment to film appreciation, education, and exhibition. The CFS has remained the driving force behind the festival’s vision and logistical success, organizing programs throughout the year, including film appreciation classes, fundraising “Film Feasts,” community outreach, and networking opportunities for members and local filmmakers.
Venues and Setting
The festival’s venues have always played a significant role in shaping the CIFF experience. The Cedar Lee Theatre’s cozy charm gave way to the grandeur of Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre for its Opening Nights, and later, the central location of Tower City Cinemas became synonymous with the festival’s dynamic energy. These spaces provided not just world-class projection and sound systems—but also creature comforts, logistical ease, and a vibrant, urban backdrop that have enhanced CIFF’s reputation as a “destination” event.
CIFF’s venues have housed not only public film screenings but also a range of special events: filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, student workshops, and after-hours parties. Notably, opening gala events and post-screening celebrations have often taken place at prominent local institutions, such as The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland and the Great Lakes Brewing Company, reinforcing the festival’s embeddedness within the social and cultural life of the city.
Scope, Diversity, and Program
Today, the Cleveland International Film Festival is renowned for its diversity, showing over 200 new films from more than 40 countries each season—making it the Midwest’s preeminent international film event and earning comparison to major festivals in New York and Chicago. CIFF’s inclusive programming features contemporary international cinema, American independent film, documentaries, short subjects, and specially curated sections, including Eastern European, LGBTQ+, Pan-African, and family films. The festival’s blend of global cinema and regional voices is a hallmark of its enduring appeal and critical acclaim.
Programs such as FilmForums provide opportunities for engagement, allowing audiences to participate in panel discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals. FilmSlam, a dedicated series for high school students, introduces young people to challenging works and affirms the festival’s educational mission.
Awards and Recognition
The CIFF is also notable for its extensive awards roster, designed to recognize excellence across genres and formats. Prestigious honors include:
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The Roxanne T. Mueller Award for Best Feature Film, a major audience choice award.
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Jury awards for best films in categories like Central and Eastern European competition, live-action short, animated short, documentary short, and works by women and students.
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The Service to the Field Award, created to salute significant contributors to independent cinema, such as the pioneering organization Women Make Movies.
CIFF has celebrated films of all types and proven to be a launching ground for emerging talents. Many filmmakers who have screened at CIFF have gone on to significant international acclaim.
Community and Audience
From the beginning, CIFF has been both a community festival and a magnet for film fans from across the region. Tens of thousands of visitors attend annually, with attendance frequently surpassing 35,000 for milestone seasons and growing rapidly over time. Special outreach initiatives—like the Cultural Journeys program—have brought together audiences from a variety of backgrounds to share in both the pleasures of global cinema and the conversations that follow.
The festival’s age range is broad, encompassing children at family matinees, high school and college students, working professionals, and seniors. Over 1,500 people belong to the CIFF’s membership programs, contributing to a sense of loyalty and shared discovery that keeps audiences coming back year after year.
Cultural and Social Significance
CIFF’s profile as a cultural institution is reflected in the breadth of its programming and the depth of its citywide involvement. The festival’s activities—encompassing everything from midnight screenings to film appreciation seminars and filmmaker workshops—foster cultural literacy, creative dialogue, and community pride. Film serves not only as entertainment but as a conduit for understanding diverse cultures, social issues, and artistic expression.
Central to CIFF’s mission is the promotion of media literacy, an area of growing importance in the digital age. The organization’s commitment to education positions it as a vital resource for teachers, students, and lifelong learners.
Noteworthy Events and Special Features
In addition to its regular programming, CIFF is known for a lively series of parties, galas, and networking events. These gatherings include Opening Night post-parties, late-night celebrations at local hotspots, and signature “World Celebration” events featuring live music and multicultural cuisine. Such festivities provide space for informal interaction among festival goers, filmmakers, guests, and the broader Cleveland community.
The annual Midwest Independent Filmmakers Conference, held during the festival’s last weekend, features workshops, equipment demonstrations, and panel sessions for aspiring and established filmmakers.
Support and Sponsorship
CIFF’s success is built on a foundation of strong partnerships. Financial support comes from prominent companies (banks, media organizations, law firms, breweries, hotels) as well as government agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council. Major foundations and local philanthropists are also crucial to sustaining CIFF’s outreach and educational programs.
Press and Media Coverage
Year after year, CIFF garners substantial press coverage—both locally and in national industry circles. Reviews have highlighted not only the festival’s programming quality and range but also its ability to attract high-profile guests, such as filmmakers, critics, and scholars. The festival’s evolution is often chronicled in arts sections, feature profiles, and retrospectives, underlining its status as an annual highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.
Insights and Specifics
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Attendance at the 27th festival exceeded 35,000, with dozens of sell-out screenings, more than 100 features, and nearly as many short films.
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Festivals frequently host 50 or more visiting filmmakers and special guests, offering filmmaker/audience interaction at screenings and forums.
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Educational components have included student workshops in filmmaking, music video production, stunts and special effects, and animation.
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The social aspect is robust: from parties to panels to casual conversations, CIFF is an event where moviegoing becomes a shared celebration.
Reviews and Reception
Both critics and attendees routinely praise the CIFF for its organization, hospitality, and broad, eclectic selection of films. The festival’s welcoming atmosphere, high-caliber amenities, and logistical attention to detail (from seating to projection to special events) are consistently highlighted in audience feedback.
The CIFF is celebrated not only for the films it screens but for the environment it fosters—a place where newcomers and veterans, local audiences and international visitors, can discover films that challenge, entertain, and inspire.
Mission and Goals
At the heart of CIFF’s efforts is a mission to enrich the life of the community by presenting artistically and culturally significant films, promoting education, fostering dialogue, and supporting new voices in cinema. The festival continues to serve as a beacon for those who view film as both an art form and a powerful medium for communication, understanding, and change.
The Cleveland International Film Festival is a cornerstone of Cleveland’s artistic identity and an event of national—indeed, international—significance. Its history and continued evolution underscore its place not only as a gathering for cinephiles and professionals, but as a community celebration, an educational resource, and a catalyst for cultural exchange. The CIFF is much more than a yearly film event—it is a testament to Cleveland’s creative spirit and its embrace of the world through film.