Cleveland International Film Festival

A BIG thank you to everyone who came out this month to share their thoughts, ideas, and feedback with us at CIFF about the Festival! Much appreciation to our hosts , and .

We also appreciate each and every person who is going online to take our survey - and there's still time if you haven't (https://tr.ee/aucu62XzVz). We look forward to hosting more listening sessions this year to hear from more of you!

Hey Cleveland, we want to hear from you! CIFF is hosting a series of community listening sessions this month. Our goal is to better understand how to increase participation of residents. If you've never been to the Festival, or haven't been since we relocated to Playhouse Square, we'd love to hear from you at one of our dialogues - and dinner is on us! Please register to attend, and if you can't make it - or the sessions are at capacity, please give us feedback via our survey.

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ciff-community-listening-sessions-3482069

Filmmakers, our Call For Entries process is now open! Films of any runtime, of any genre, and from any country -- with a completed production date after June 1, 2023 -- are eligible for consideration. We have full info for you here: https://filmfreeway.com/ClevelandInternationalFilmFestival

Today we revisit the unforgettable "One Last Call" interview with Marcie Goodman and Patrick Shepherd, hosted by our friends at Box Supper Club. Together they built CIFF into the world-renowned Festival it is today. Help us celebrate a legacy built on 33 years of dedication: https://marciegoodman.eventive.org/welcome

Marcie + Patrick Interview: https://clefilmfest.libsyn.com/

Throughout her 33 years of leadership, Marcie Goodman hosted thousands of filmmakers, welcomed more than a million film enthusiasts, and created endless memories for our film-loving community. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our Festival, Marcie. Film Friends, please join us in celebrating the tremendous legacy of our outgoing fearless leader: https://marciegoodman.eventive.org/welcome

As the curtain closes on the tremendous tenure of Marcie Goodman this month, we are thrilled to announce a commemoration of the remarkable leadership of our beloved outgoing Executive Director. To honor Marcie’s enduring legacy and to ensure the bright future of CIFF, we are launching a special campaign. Help us celebrate Marcie's 33 years of dedication to shaping the Festival into the beacon of creativity it is today. From the bottom of our hearts Marcie, we thank you. https://marciegoodman.eventive.org/welcome

Want to help program ? The Cleveland International Film Festival is accepting applications for new volunteer Screening Team Judges! Get full info and apply today: https://airtable.com/appFRzFQAelbxwShT/pagfXB4qZme64GhbL/form

Join us as we partner with Cleveland History Days for our screening of award-winning short film Interception: Jayne Kennedy – American Sportscaster. The film profiles Ohio-native Jayne Kennedy, the first Black woman to join the CBS’ The NFL Today team in 1978, and her journey to overcome discrimination in American sportscasting. Join us for a screening of the 15-minute documentary and a panel with Safiya Songhai (Director and Television Broadcast Journalist), Jazmin Bailey (Anchor/Reporter for WJW-TV FOX 8 News), and Remi Murrey (Reporter for WEWS News 5) to discuss themes in the film such as experiences in breaking through racial and gender barriers, the continued importance of representation for Black women in broadcasting, and the impact trailblazers such as Jayne Kennedy have contributed towards the careers and opportunities of Black female broadcasters. Register here:

Film Viewing 'Interception: Jayne Kennedy, American Sportscaster, presented by Cleveland International Film Festival This film profiles Jayne Kennedy, born and raised in Wickliffe, the broadcasting pioneer who was the first Black woman to join the team of CBS’ The NFL Today in 1978.Interception: Jayne Kennedy – American Sportscaster won the Cleveland International Film Festival’s Best Black Cinema Short Audi...

Like watching movies? Want to help program ? The Cleveland International Film Festival is looking for new volunteer Screening Team Judges and invites you to apply today! https://airtable.com/appFRzFQAelbxwShT/pagfXB4qZme64GhbL/form

And just like that, CIFF starts a new chapter! Welcome, Hermione! Now let’s plan a festival 🎥 ✨

Celebrate Juneteenth with a screening and discussion of alum JUNETEENTH: FAITH & FREEDOM, presented in partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library. Free and open to the public, the event takes place tomorrow, June 6th 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Garfield Heights Branch. For full information, please visit https://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/10314217.

And be on the lookout for more opportunities to screen this incredible documentary in the weeks to come.

Join us Sunday, June 9th from 11am-2pm at HumanheART Studio for Cleveland Play House's FREE event, CLE: United Thru Art. The event will feature live performances, presentations, and artist resources, including CIFF-curated family-friendly short films that explore and celebrate diverse cultures, identities, and communities. See the list of films here: https://bit.ly/3VbjJhF

We made it, friends! Happy weekending.

Would it be CIFF if we didn't add a new dog to the pack each summer? Everyone, meet the newest member of the Film Festival Family, Biscuit. Her hobbies include napping and playing in the backyard with her brother Stew. Biscuit's top three favorite films are Oliver & Company, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Uptown Girls.

Need something entertaining to help get you through the week? Check out our eleven podcast episodes of CIFF Speaks! We have everything from a conversation with Academy Award Winner Steve Bognar to a discussion with filmmaker Kim Albright about her absurdist sci-fi comedy, WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN. Listen in here:

CIFF Speaks Welcome to CIFF Speaks, sponsored by Wayside Furniture, the official podcast for the Cleveland International Film Festival! April 3-13, 2024 | April 14-21, 2024

Missing CIFF? Us too. Take a trip down memory lane by visiting our photo gallery to relive the magic. https://www.flickr.com/photos/clevelandfilm/albums

CIFF48 - DAY 11 - Closing Night! CIFF48, DAY 11, Closing Night, Photo Credit: Kevin Inthavong

ICYMI, CIFF has announced Hermione Malone as its new Executive Director! Our friends at Ideastream News have the full rundown:

Cleveland International Film Festival names new executive director Hermione Malone returns to Cleveland after working in nonprofit management in New Orleans and Washington, D.C.

Thank you, Crain's Cleveland Business! 🎥✨

CIFF names nonprofit veteran as its next executive director

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Hermione Malone as CIFF's new Executive Director. “I have always said that the Cleveland International Film Festival was one of the best things about living in Cleveland. So I am thrilled to return to the city to lead CIFF at this transformative time as the festival reimagines ways to attract new audiences and deepen its community partnerships," said Hermione. Please join us in welcoming Hermione to the Film Festival family! https://www.clevelandfilm.org/news/CIFF-announces-new-ED

we announced our Award Winners! Make sure to check out our full list of winners on our website https://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/awards-winners-ciff48

If you joined us in person Playhouse Square for or for , we want your input. Please consider taking our brief surveys and let us know about your experience to help us plan !

CIFF48 at Playhouse Square: https://forms.gle/iLdxcnCtWAN3PWvg7

CIFF48 Streams: https://forms.gle/1TeqfN48h1rAdMTT7

Check out this filmmaker interview with Omar Kamara of AFRICAN GIANTS!

Mark your calendars for March 26 - April 5, 2025 at Playhouse Square

With and , Presented by PNC officially in the books, we want to give a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who watched films, donated to our Challenge Match, purchased merchandise, volunteered, and lent your voice to this community! You all are something else.