• Festival 101
• Tickets and Vouchers
• Memberships
• Volunteering
• View All

When will the 36th CIFF Program Guide be available?
The 36th CIFF Program will be available on our website on February 20, 2012. It will be mailed out to CIFF members on February 29, 2012 and distributed throughout Northeast Ohio the week of March 5, 2012.

Where can I find 36th CIFF Program Guides? CIFF members are automatically mailed a CIFF Program Guide when they become available.

If you are not a member and would like a Program Guide mailed to you, you can sign up at: http://www.clevelandfilm.org/about/contact-us

Please note that we can accommodate a quantity of up to two Program Guides per mailing address. Additional quantities incur a shipping fee of $2/Program Guide for in-state mailings and a $3/Program Guide for out-of-state mailings.

Program Guides are also distributed to Dollar Bank locations, Cuyahoga County Public Libraries, Cleveland Cinemas Theatres, and throughout Tower City Center. Program Guides are also distributed to most local and independent coffee shops, restaurants, book stores, boutiques, and community centers.

Where is the CIFF held and how do I get there?
The Cleveland International Film Festival takes place at Tower City Cinemas in Tower City Center (230 West Huron Road, Cleveland, OH 44113).

The Festival also hosts four satellite events at other Cleveland Cinemas locations, highlighting the unique neighborhood of each theater. These include the Cedar Lee Theatre, Shaker Square Cinemas, Capitol Theatre, and Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill in Akron. Each event consists of one screening of a Festival film as well as a pre-screening reception at a nearby venue and post-screening discount offers from nearby neighborhood merchants.

For driving directions to Tower City Cinemas, please follow this link:
http://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/travel-accomodations/driving-directions

For public transportation to Tower City Cinemas, please follow this link:
http://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/travel-accomodations/get-here

Where can I park at the Festival?
Please note that CIFF patron parking at Tower City Center is shared with other Tower City Center patrons, merchants, and employees as well as the patrons of Quicken Loans Arena.

Self-parking can be accessed from Canal Road (across from Sherwin Williams). If you have a GPS system or access to internet mapping systems (e.g., Google Maps or MapQuest), punch in this address for directions:

737 Canal Road
Cleveland, OH 44113

Please allow at least 30 minutes of extra travel time.

For CIFF members at the Executive Producer and Movie Mogul levels, as well as Corporate Sponsors, access to Tower City Center valet parking is located off of W. 3rd Street between Prospect Avenue and W. Huron Road.

Is parking free for Festival patrons?
Free parking is offered WHEN AVAILABLE to CIFF patrons in the Tower City Center Self-Parking Garage and Tower City Amphitheater Parking at River (off Canal Road.). Patrons must have their parking ticket validated at Tower City Cinemas.

Valet parking at Tower City Center is free WHEN AVAILABLE for CIFF members at the Executive Producer and Movie Mogul levels, as well as for Corporate Sponsors. Please present your Film Festival pass to receive free Tower City Center valet parking. For everyone else, there is a fee for valet parking.

When should I arrive for a film?
General admission seating is available at all performances on a first-come, first served basis. Ticket bearers and passholders must arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of any screening for admission. Theater personnel may refuse to permit late seating. All patrons must leave the theater following each screening and take any personal belongings. Seat saving between screenings is not permitted. Please allow additional travel time for parking-related delays.

Once I arrive at the Festival, where should I go?
Make your way to Tower City Cinemas located at the southwest corner of Tower City Center, just past the food court. If you have not already received your tickets, they will be held at Will Call. For information on Will Call, please refer to What is Will Call and where is it located?

Lines for ticket holders form in the hallway to the right of the main entrance to Tower City Cinemas and are admitted to the theater no earlier then 10-15 minutes before show time.

Lines for Stand By ticket purchases and for Stand By ticket holders will be in the hallway to the left of the main entrance to Tower City Cinemas. For the Stand By procedure, please refer to "What is Stand By and how does it work?"

Avoid the lines, Stand Bys and sellouts by becoming a pass holder! Pass holders are admitted to the theater no earlier then 30 minutes prior to a film and no later then 15 minutes prior to a film.

What is Will Call and where is it located?

Where and when is Will Call available for the screening at Shaker Square Cinemas/Capitol Theatre/Cedar Lee Theatre/Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill?
Will Call for our satellite screenings can be picked up in advance, no later than one hour prior to the screening at the Festival Will Call "Duke Desk" at Tower City Cinemas. One hour prior to the screening, they will be available for pick-up at the box office of the theater at which the screening is taking place. If these films should go on Stand By, Stand By tickets will also be available for purchase one hour prior to the screening at the satellite theater's box office. Please bring a printout of your order or a form of ID when picking up your order at Will Call.

What is Stand By and how does it work?
Only two-thirds of tickets are sold in advance so that we can save room for our pass holders. Once these advanced tickets have been sold, a film goes on "Stand By." However, even for crowded films, we can often accommodate many patrons just before showtime. Numbered Stand By tickets are sold (cash or voucher only) beginning one hour before show time at the Stand By lounge (located in the hallway, across the hall from the main entrance to Tower City Cinemas). Stand By patrons are asked to line up ten minutes before the film begins, at which point Stand By ticket holders are admitted in numerical ticket order on a space-available basis until the theater is full. Those who do not get into a Stand By film are refunded their ticket in the manner in which they purchased it (cash or vouchers only).

Where is Stand By for the Shaker Square Cinemas/Capitol Theatre/Cedar Lee Theatre/Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill evenings?
Stand By ticket purchase and line-up for films screening at Shaker Square Cinemas, Capitol Theatre, Cedar Lee Theatre, or Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill will take place at the site of the screening and follow the same time frame as regular Stand By.

How many films can I see in one day?
If you want to wake-up really early and stay up really late, you can see as many as six films a day!

What is the difference between late additions and added screenings?
A late addition is a film that has been added to the CIFF Program after the Program Guide has been printed. An added screening is a supplementary screening time for a popular Festival film that is already a part of the CIFF Program. Check our website or iphone/android mobile apps for up-to-date schedule changes and additions.

Are the films rated or age restricted?
Most independent and international films are unrated by the M.P.A.A. Therefore, viewer discretion is advised and "adults only" warnings should be heeded. No person under the age of 10 will be admitted—except for Family Film screenings.

Why is there a reserved seating section in the theater?
Seating in the reserved section is available to Executive Producer and Movie Mogul members as well as Corporate Sponsors. In addition to reserved section seating, Movie Mogul members are guaranteed a reserved seat to each screening of their choice. To take advantage of this perk, sign up today! http://www.clevelandfilm.org/support-us/memberships.

How do I purchase merchandise from the Festival?
Festival merchandise can be purchased in person during the Festival at our Ulmer and Berne Film Festival Store, located in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas. Merchandise can be purchased post-Festival on our website ( http://www.clevelandfilm.org/support-us/merchandise) or over the phone by contacting Debbie Marshall at 216.623.3456 x10.

How can I purchase/view a film that I saw at the Festival?
The mission of the CIFF is exhibition and education; therefore we do not distribute films screened during the Festival. However, Print Source contact information regarding the distribution of a film is located at the end of each feature film description in the Program Guide. You can use this information to contact the distribution company/filmmaker about purchasing or viewing their film.

How do I make a donation to the Festival?
You can do so by visiting our website (http://www.clevelandfilm.org/support-us/make-a-donation), via mail (Cleveland International Film Festival, 2510 Market Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113), over the phone (216.623.3456 x10), or in person at our Festival Challenge Match area.

How do I get more involved as a sponsor or partner of the Festival?
If you are an individual or business interested in sponsorship opportunities and packages with the Festival, or are part of an organization that would like to partner with the Festival, please contact our Associate Director, Patrick Shepherd, at 216.623.3456 x 23 or at patrick@clevelandfilm.org.

When and where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets go on sale to members on March 2, 2012 at 11 AM via the internet, phone (877.304.3456), or mail (2510 Market Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113).

Tickets go on sale to the general public on March 9, 2012 at 11 AM via the internet, phone (877.304.3456), mail (2510 Market Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113), or in person at the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office located in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas.

Tickets are available for purchase via phone, internet, or in person at the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office (located in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas) until 11:00 PM on the day before the screening. Tickets for day-of show screenings are only available for purchase in person at the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office.

What are the hours of the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office?
Pre-Festival: March 2 - March 22, 2012:
11 AM - 7PM (Monday- Saturday)
12 Noon - 5PM (Sunday)

During the Festival:
March 23 - March 31, 2012
8:30 AM - 9:30 PM Daily

April 1, 2012:
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM Daily

What is the difference between vouchers and tickets?
Tickets are reserved for a screening of a specific film with a specific screening time and date. Vouchers are non-specific and therefore will not admit you to a film. Vouchers are sold in quantities of six (6-packs) and must be exchanged in person for tickets to specific screenings. Exchange as early as possible to avoid Stand By or sellouts!

What is the cost of tickets?
Opening Night Gala tickets are $100 for members and $125 for non-members.
Festival tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
Tickets purchased in quantities of six are eligible for the voucher price of $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

OR

If you haven't decided on all the films you want to see, you can round out your 6-pack(s) of tickets with vouchers for a savings of $2 per ticket.

Please note that tickets or vouchers purchased via the phone, internet, or mail will be charged a $3 handling fee per order.

Are there special group rates for tickets?
A group rate of $8 per ticket is available to groups of ten or more for the same screening. Please contact Ticket Sales (877.304.3456) for group sales.

What is the cost of vouchers?
Voucher 6-pack(s) are available for $48 for members and $60 for non-members— a savings of $2 per ticket!

I won vouchers. When will they be sent to me?
Vouchers and a 36th CIFF Program Guide will be mailed out to winners in early March 2012.

How do I get my tickets once I've ordered them?
Ticket orders placed on or before March 14, 2012 via the internet, phone, or mail will be mailed to the address provided (unless otherwise indicated by the purchaser).

Ticket orders placed after March 14, 2012 will be available for pick up prior to the Festival at the Film Festival Box Office (located in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas) or during the Festival at Will Call.

Can ticket purchases be refunded or exchanged?
We regret that tickets cannot be refunded except in the case of a cancelled screening. Exchanges, when possible, will be subject to a $3.00 processing fee per order.

I did not receive my ticket order, what should I do?
Orders placed on or prior to March 14, 2012 will be mailed unless indicated differently by the customer. Orders placed after March 14, 2012 will be held in Will Call. That being said, if you have not received your tickets within a few days of placing your order or if your order arrives incomplete or is incorrect, you can contact the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office by phone (877.304.3456) or email (tickets@clevelandfilm.org) and they will assist you. If you placed your order after March 14th, your tickets will be held in Will Call. For information on Will Call, please refer to What is Will Call and where is it located?

I lost my tickets. What should I do?
In the event that you have misplaced your CIFF tickets, please contact the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office (877.304.3456 or tickets@clevelandfilm.org) or visit them during hours of operation, in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas. CIFF personnel will locate your ticket order in our system by order number or the last name of the purchaser.

How do I purchase a gift certificate?
Gift certificates can be purchased online through our website (http://www.clevelandfilm.org/support-us/gift-certificates), over the phone (216.623.3456 x 10) or in person at our Business Offices (2510 Market Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113). Gift Certificates are redeemable for CIFF events, tickets, membership and merchandise. Gift Certificates are not redeemable for concessions.

How can I redeem my gift certificate?
Gift certificates purchased after February 28, 2011 can be redeemed in person, through the mail, or online during checkout by entering the code located in the body of your email receipt or at the bottom of your paper certificate.

How do I purchase a membership?
If you are not currently a member, or you would like to purchase a gift membership, you can purchase a membership on our website ( http://www.clevelandfilm.org/support-us/memberships) by mailing in a completed order form with payment, or over the phone by calling Debbie Marshall at 216.623.3456 x10

If you are currently a member and would like to renew, follow the steps for membership renewal under How do I renew my membership?

How do I log in into my membership account on the website?
Click on member login on the CIFF home page and using your, login and password, sign on. If you have misplaced your login or password, you have the option to have them emailed to you at the email address you provided at sign up. If you no longer have access to that email address, please call Debbie Marshall at 216.623.3456 x10. Once logged in, you will see in green text "Hello, Your Name." If you do not see this, you are not logged in.

How do I renew my membership?
Once logged in as a member, you have two options for renewing: Simply move your cursor over "Hello, Your Name" and a drop-down menu will appear with your Membership Expiration in red text which you can click on to immediately and easily renew your CIFF Membership. Please note that if your membership has already expired, you must create a new membership account with a different login and password.

OR

Once logged in, move your cursor over "support us" on the main page of the website (www.clevelandfilm.org) and a drop-down menu will appear with the option "membership renewal" which you can clink on to immediately and easily renew your CIFF Membership. If you would like to purchase a gift membership, select the option "new memberships l all access passes" from the same drop-down menu under "support us."

What are the benefits of becoming a member?
There are five different levels of CIFF membership, each with its own benefits. Included at all levels of membership are these benefits:
•Advanced mailing of the Program Guide prior to distribution to the general public.
•Opportunity to buy CIFF tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
•Members-only access to restricted areas of the website including the CIFF schedule builder, as well as film comments and ratings.
•Discounts on CIFF tickets and merchandise, as well as Film Feast tickets.

For membership descriptions and pricing please visit:
http://www.clevelandfilm.org/support-us/memberships

As a member, when will my Program Guide be mailed?
Members are the first to receive our CIFF Program Guide. This year, the Program Guide will be available on our website the week of February 20th. Program Guides will be mailed to members the week of February 27th.

I am a CIFF member at the Film Fanatic, Director, Executive Producer, or Movie Mogul level. When will I get my 6-pack of vouchers?
Vouchers will be mailed to applicable members in late February/ early March 2012 with their 36th CIFF Program Guide.

As a Director, Executive Producer, or Movie Mogul member, when can I expect to receive my pass?
Passes and Opening Night tickets will be mailed mid-March 2012.

I purchased a Director/Executive Producer/ Movie Mogul membership last minute, How can I get my pass?
Your Pass and Opening Night Gala ticket will be held at Patron Services located in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas and it will be available for pick-up after 5:00 PM on Opening Night, (March 22, 2012).

Are Day Passes available?
Day Passes are available while supplies last during the Festival at the Challenge Match area for a donation of $150.00 for weekdays (Mon-Thurs) or $200.00 for weekend days (Fri-Sun) per day.

How does the members-only "My Schedule" feature work?
Whether you're a ticket-holder or a passholder member, the Members-only Schedule Builder lets you select the films you want to see and add them to a custom schedule.

How it works: •Once a member is logged in, a "My Schedule" icon appears in the top right corner of the site. This feature can be viewed at any time by clicking on the icon.
•An "Add to My Schedule" button appears next to each screening and selecting the "Add to My Schedule" button adds a screening to the Member's schedule.
•The "Remove" button beneath a film's image will remove a screening from My Schedule.
•If an added screening conflicts with an existing screening in the My Schedule, the Member will be alerted about the conflict, but can decide to still add it. There is a "Purchased" indicator that shows up next to any screening that a user has already purchased.
•The "My Schedule" feature works independently of a member's shopping cart so they can add and remove screenings without making a commitment to purchase. However once tickets have been purchased, these screenings will automatically be add to the member's "My Schedule."
•The "Add Non-Purchased Films to Cart" button at the top of the "My Schedule" page will add all non-purchased films to the member's cart. Films already purchased will not be re-added.
•The "Clear All" button will delete all added screenings from My Schedule and start over.
•The "Print" button will output a print-friendly version of the schedule.

What types of volunteer opportunities are available at the Festival?
We are so grateful to our hundreds of volunteers who wear many hats at the Festival. They assist with the Challenge Match, Stand By, Merchandise, the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Store, Hospitality Headquarters, and Parking. Duties include ballot distribution and collection, ushering patrons in the theaters, monitoring the lobby and hallways, parking validation, and maintaining the reserved seating section of the theaters.

I would like to volunteer for the Festival. How can I do so?
For more information on volunteering please visit our volunteer page, http://www.clevelandfilm.org/community/volunteer.