Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) named pioneering LGBTQ filmmaker, Patrik-Ian Polk its second DReam Catcher Program and Award recipient.
Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF)
Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF)
SINCE: 1977
WHERE: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
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 150 feature films and 130 short subject films from over 60 countries. Along with the main program of international films, there are special sidebars that add interest and diversity to the overall Festival. In recent years these have included 10% Cinema (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender themes), American Independents, Cinema en Espanol, Family Films, It’s Easy Being Green (films about environmental issues), Jewish and Israeli Visions, Local Heroes (films with local ties), Pacific Pearls, Pan-African Images, Standing Up (films with a conscience that address social justice and activism), and Women of the World.
Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF)
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Cleveland International Film Festival to Move to Playhouse Square in 2021
Cleveland International Film Festival to Move to Playhouse Square in 2021 The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) announced that in 2021 the Festival will permanently move to Playhouse Square. The move, which follows a 14-year run at the Cedar Lee Theatre and a 30-year run at Tower City Cinemas, will mark the Festival’s third home in the organization’s history.
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43rd Cleveland International Film Festival Announces Awards – PRINCESS OF THE ROW Wins Best Film
Princess of the Row After showcasing 213 feature films, 237 short films, 15 virtual reality films, and 3 interactive media projects, the winners of the competitions and awards of the the 43rd Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) were announced at the Closing Night Ceremony on Sunday. Princess of the Row, directed by Van Maximilian Carlson won the Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film.
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2019 Cleveland International Film Festival Announces Feature Film Juried Competitions Lineups
GREENER GRASS by Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe More than 40 films will compete in the three feature film juried competitions at the 43rd Cleveland International Film Festival for $30,000 in cash prizes. The competitions include George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern European Competition; Nesnadny + Schwartz Portrait Documentary Competition and New Direction Competition.
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BULBUL CAN SING Director Rima Das to Receive Award at Cleveland International Film Festival
Rima Das Cleveland International Film Festival will present Indian director Rima Das with its SOMEONE TO WATCH Award, given to mid-career filmmakers who are rising stars in international filmmaking.
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ANTHROPOCENE Jennifer Baichwal to Receive Director Spotlight Award at Cleveland International Film Festival
Jennifer Baichwal The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) will honor ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH co-director Jennifer Baichwal with the Director Spotlight Award at the upcoming 43rd edition of the festival. The purpose of the Director Spotlight Award program is to showcase directors with distinguished careers by featuring a retrospective of their past work and screenings of their most recent film available.
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Cleveland International Film Festival to Open with THE ETRUSCAN SMILE, Close with THE PUBLIC
The Etruscan Smile The 43rd Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF43) will kick-off its 12-day run on Wednesday, March 27 with THE ETRUSCAN SMILE, a story of love and forgiveness. Produced by multiple Academy Award winner Arthur Cohn and co-directed by Mihal Brezis & Oded Binnun, thefilm follows the story of Rory MacNeil, an old-fashioned Scottish man who travels from his beloved and beautifully slow-paced home on Hebridean Island to seek medical treatment in fast-paced, high-tech San Francisco. Rory finds himself and his world transformed when he moves in with his estranged son and forms an unbreakable bond with his grandson. The film, based on the bestselling book, La Sonrisa Etrusca, by Jose Louis Sampedro, stars a bevy of acclaimed and talented actors including Brian Cox, Rosanna Arquette, Thora Birch, JJ Feild, Peter Coyote, and Treat Williams.
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Cleveland International Film Festival Unveils 2019 Poster and Marketing Campaign
The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) unveiled its marketing campaign for the 43rd edition under the theme: WELCOME. The simple yet powerful theme is a nod to the inclusive nature the CIFF has built over its 43 years through its diverse on-screen programming and on-site programs. The campaign is also a celebration of the hospitable nature the northeast Ohio community has shown to the thousands of guest filmmakers who have visited Cleveland to take part in the Festival over the years.
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THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER Wins Top Award at 2018 Cleveland International Film Festival [ Complete List of Winners]
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THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER[/caption]
After hosting crowds topping 100,000, the 42nd Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) announced the winners of the competitions and awards at the Closing Night Ceremony on Sunday, April 15, 2018. The Drummer and the Keeper, directed by Nick Kelly was awarded the top prize – the Audience Choice Award for Best Film.
The Drummer and the Keeper begins with a pantless man dragging a couch onto a beach. He douses it with gasoline and casually sets it on fire. His name is Gabriel, and he is a drummer for an up-and-coming rock band. His bandmates have had enough of his out-of-control antics, though. He’s constantly drunk, and the couch incident is just one of many. When Gabriel agrees to get help, it’s revealed he’s bipolar. His therapist prescribes medicine and enrolls him in treatment, which includes joining a soccer team with other mental health patients. He reluctantly shows up to practice, where the coach pushes him to befriend Christopher, a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome. Soon Gabriel can’t seem to get rid of Christopher. But as time goes by, Gabriel will discover Christopher is not just the only friend he really has, but also exactly the kind he needs. This funny, moving film examines an anomalous union that seems doomed from the start. However, their unlikely but beautiful friendship will give them both the pieces they’ve been missing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ExhyLIdEHs
The 43rd Cleveland International Film Festival will take place March 27 to April 7, 2019 at Tower City Cinemas.
Winners of 42nd Cleveland International Film Festival
Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film Sponsored by the Callahan Foundation THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER, directed by Nick Kelly (Ireland) $15,000 cash prize ReelWomenDirect Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman Presented with generous support from Deborah Bachman Ratner Dana Nachman (for PICK OF THE LITTER; USA) $10,000 cash prize George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern European Competition Presented with generous support from The George Gund Foundation MEN DON’T CRY, directed by Alen Drljević (Bosnia, Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany) $10,000 cash prize Nesnadny + Schwartz Portrait Documentary Competition MAY THE SCHWARTZ BE WITH YOU Director’s Award Presented with generous support from Nesnadny + Schwartz LOVE MEANS ZERO, directed by Jason Kohn (USA) $10,000 cash prize New Direction Competition Presented with generous support from CoverMyMeds QUALITY TIME, directed by Daan Bakker (Netherlands, Norway) $10,000 cash prize Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition Presented with generous support from The George Gund Foundation 6 WEEKS TO MOTHER’S DAY, directed by Marvin Blunte (USA, Thailand) $7,500 cash prize Global Health Competition Presented by: Cleveland Clinic Global Patient Services Cleveland Clinic Mikati Center for Liver Diseases Cleveland Clinic R.J. Fasenmyer Center for Clinical Immunology BURDEN OF GENIUS, directed by Tjardus Greidanus (USA) $7,500 cash prize American Independents Competition Presented with generous support from Mike and Nicki Cancelliere LIFE HACK, directed by Sloan Copeland (USA) $7,500 cash prize Local Heroes Competition Presented with generous support from Lauren Rich Fine and Gries Financial MANRY AT SEA ~ IN THE WAKE OF A DREAM, directed by Steve Wystrach (USA) $7,500 cash prize Music Movies Competition Presented with generous support from Jules and Fran Belkin IF I LEAVE HERE TOMORROW: A FILM ABOUT LYNYRD SKYNYRD, directed by Stephen Kijak (USA) $7,500 cash prize Ad Hoc Docs Competition Presented with generous support from Anne E. Bloomberg BREAKING THE BEE, directed by Sam Rega (USA) $7,500 cash prize International Narrative Competition Presented with generous support from Tom Piraino and Barbara McWilliams EDIE, directed by Simon Hunter (United Kingdom) $7,500 cash prize FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Feature Film Presented with generous support from OverDrive SCIENCE FAIR, directed by Cristina Maria Costantini and Darren Foster (USA) $2,000 Cash Prize Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film Overall Sponsored by Jive City Recordings BAGHEERA, directed by Christopher Watson (India, United Kingdom) $1,000 Cash Prize Best Animated Short Award* Sponsored by Reminger Co., L.P.A. THE DRIVER IS RED, directed by Randall Christopher (USA) $1,000 cash prize Best Documentary Short Award* Sponsored by Jules and Fran Belkin PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE., directed by Rayka Zehtabchi (USA) $1,000 cash prize Best Live Action Short Award* Sponsored by Anne Bloomberg and Alan Gordon Lipson & Judy Harris SACRED HAIR, directed by Mario Morin (Canada) $1,000 cash prize FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Short Film Presented with generous support from OverDrive JOINT CUSTODY, directed by Carlus Fábrega (Spain) $1,000 Cash Prize *These award winners will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards®.
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THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER to Open, BORG VS. MCENROE to Close 2018 Cleveland International Film Festival
[caption id="attachment_27286" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER[/caption]
The 42nd Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF42) is kicking-off its 12-day run with a story of new-formed friendship, and closing with a look at an epic rivalry that took the tennis world by storm. CIFF42 will be held April 4 to 15, 2018 at Tower City Cinemas and select neighborhood screening locations.
The CIFF42 will open on Wednesday, April 4th, with THE DRUMMER AND THE KEEPER. Directed by Nick Kelly, the film tells the story of the unlikely friendship formed between two young men: Gabriel, a reckless young drummer with bipolar disorder; and, Christopher, a 17-year-old with Asperger’s Syndrome, who yearns to fit in. This heartwarming story shows the strength of the human bond in the face of adversity. The film stars a collection of talented Irish actors including Dermot Murphy, Jacob McCarthy, and Peter Coonan. Special Guests expected to be in attendance on Opening Night include director Nick Kelly, producer Kate McColgan, as well as actors Dermot Murphy and Jacob McCarthy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ExhyLIdEHs
On Sunday, April 15th at 7:00 p.m. the Festival will close with BORG VS. MCENROE. Directed by Janus Metz, the film tells the story of the rivalry between two tennis champs: the calm and cool Björn Borg, played by Sverrir Gudnason, and his fiercest competitor, the brash John McEnroe, played by Shia LaBeouf. The story culminates with a legendary meeting on the court at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgfFdEOGUqE
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Cleveland International Film Festival to Open with CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER and Close with THE HERO
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CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER[/caption]
The 41st Cleveland International Film Festival is kicking-off its 12-day run on March 29 with the click of a typewriter, opening with CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER, directed by Doug Nichol. The film features a cast of artists, writers, and collectors who remain loyal to the typewriter as their preferred tool, and oftentimes their muse. The film also movingly documents the struggles of California Typewriter, one of the last standing repair shops in America dedicated to keeping the aging machines in working order. Featuring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, David McCullough, and Sam Shepard, among others, this film will leave you looking at your own relationship with technology.
On Sunday, April 9th, the Festival will close with THE HERO directed by CIFF39 alum Brett Haley (I’ll See You in My Dreams). The film is moving, sharply observed character study starring the great Sam Elliott as Lee Hayden, a Western film icon whose best performances are behind him. Faced with a cancer diagnosis, Lee’s priorities are refocused, causing him to assess the life he has led. With a star-studded cast including Nick Offerman, Laura Prepon, and Krysten Ritter, THE HERO addresses the question most people face at one time or another in their lifetime: what kind of legacy will I leave?
The 41st Cleveland International Film Festival will be held March 29 to April 9, 2017 at Tower City Cinemas and select neighborhood screening locations.
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Cleveland Intl Film Fest Selects Opening & Closing Films
I’ll See You in My DreamsThe 39th Cleveland International Film Festival will open on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 with I’ll See You in My Dreams, and close on Sunday, March 29, 2015 with Danny Collins.
Directed by Brett Haley, I’ll See You in My Dreams had its World Premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Blythe Danner as a widow who’s settled into her life and her age, until a series of events propel her into a renewed engagement with the people and the world around her. The film also stars Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Akerman, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place. The film was written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch, and produced by Rebecca Green, Laura D. Smith, and Brett Haley.
Danny Collins was written and directed by Dan Fogelman and produced by Jessie Nelson and Nimitt Mankad. The film stars Al Pacino as Danny Collins, an aging 1970s rocker who can’t give up his hard-living ways. But when his manager (Christopher Plummer) uncovers a 40-year-old undelivered letter written to him by John Lennon, he decides to change course and embarks on a heartfelt journey to rediscover his family, find true love, and begin a second act.