In addition to the main Festival program, there are special film sections that add interest and diversity to the overall Festival and help attendees navigate the offerings. These special categories include:

10% Cinema:
These gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender films range in subject, style, and tone, but they have one thing in common: they’ve been audience favorites for years! Thanks to CWRU - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center for their sponsorship.

American Independents:
With big dreams and small budgets, these films represent the finest in contemporary American cinema. This year’s competition in celebration of independent films made in the United States will yield a $2,500 cash prize winner determined by audience vote. This sidebar generously supported by ALAN GLAZEN.

Central and Eastern European Film Competition:
Over two decades ago, the Cleveland International Film Festival launched a special focus on films from Central and Eastern Europe, the native lands of many Clevelanders. When we began our series, the world was a very different place: the Berlin Wall was still standing, the U.S.S.R. was still one country, and the Cold War was chilling out. Throughout these past two decades, the films from Central and Eastern Europe have changed dramatically due to filmmakers exerting their rights to make films without government involvement and censorship. We now see films from a plethora of genres, including colorful comedies, slice of-life sketches, and unusual love stories. The results provide us with a rare and unique look inside the lives of the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.

One thing that has remained the same for the past 22 years is our commitment to bringing some of the most soughtafter films from this area of the world to Cleveland. This year the CIFF is proud to present its ninth Central and Eastern European Film Competition. This competition not only gives recognition to the films coming to us from Central and Eastern Europe, but it also awards one filmmaker a $10,000 cash prize that will be announced at the Closing Night Reception. Presented with the generous support of GEORGE GUND III and IARA LEE.

Cinema en Español:
This eclectic array of Spanish- language films explores a multitude of subjects ranging from the culturally specific to the universal. Thanks to Cleveland State University for their sponsorship.

CLOSING NIGHT:
Thanks to Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey for their sponsorship.

Continental Airlines World Tour:
Every year the CIFF brings the best films from around the globe to screen in the World Tour sidebar. Once again, thanks to Continental Airlines, we are able to present films from more than 60 countries in the 35th Cleveland International Film Festival. There are too many films to list in this sidebar, but be sure to look for the Continental Airlines World Tour bar at the top of many films. Thanks to Continental Airlines for their sponsorship.

Family Films:
You can take a family trip around the world without leaving the city. Be sure to bring the kids (we recommend ages ten and older) to these family-friendly films! Thanks to Pinxav for their sponsorship.

Film Is Art:
Art school isn’t only for the naturally gifted. Learn about artists and the artistic process in this group of films. This sidebar generously supported by TOBY DEVAN LEWIS.

Global Health:
From individuals to communities to countries - matters of health are of global concern. Thanks to Tim and Nancy Callahan for their support. Thanks to Callahan Foundation for their sponsorship.

Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition:
Thanks to The George Gund Foundation for their sponsorship.

It's Easy Being Green:
We are proud to present these films to bring awareness and support to the environmentally friendly movement to save our planet. Thanks to Great Lakes Brewing Company for their sponsorship.

Jewish and Israeli Visions:
These films from or about Israel and the Jewish diaspora will enlighten the audience about this unique cultural perspective. Thanks to Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage for their sponsorship.

Local Heroes:
Our annual recognition of films made about Cleveland, in Cleveland, or by Ohioans, continues this year. Thanks to Cleveland State University for their sponsorship.

Nesnadny + Schwartz Documentary Film Competition:
Thanks to Nesnadny + Schwartz for their sponsorship.

OPENING NIGHT:
Thanks to Dollar Bank for their sponsorship.

Pacific Pearls:
Journey to the Far East. In these films from Asia and the Pacific Island, we pay tribute to some of the most innovative films today. Thanks to Cleveland State University for their sponsorship.

Pan-African Images:
These remarkable films hail from both Africa and the United States, featuring stories made by and about Africans and African-Americans. Thanks to Cleveland State University for their sponsorship.

Someone to Watch:
In 2003 at the 27th CIFF we launched our Someone to Watch Award series. The purpose of this program is to highlight the works of mid-career filmmakers who we believe are rising stars in international filmmaking. Over the years we have celebrated filmmakers who have had their talent embraced at movie theaters across the country and the world. This year is no different. Presented with the generous support of LAUREN RICH FINE and GARY GILLER.

Women Of The World:
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Find out what it means in these films about and by empowered women for the third year in a row. Special support provided by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ®. Thanks to Cobalt Group for their sponsorship.