The CIFF Story Through The Years
Since 1977, growing from a Cedar Lee Theatre subscription series to one of Cleveland's premier cultural touchstones, the Cleveland International Film Festival has paralleled the city it calls home and the audiences that fill its seats. Explore how the festival has changed through the years.
From Cedar Lee to Cleveland's Screens
In 1977, the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights hosted the first Cleveland International Film Festival as a subscription series of international films over eight weeks. What started as a hopeful experiment quickly filled seats and showed how ready Cleveland audiences were for global stories on their neighborhood screens.
CIFF’s Impact Over Time
Over the course of five decades, the Cleveland International Film Festival has transitioned from a single-screen event at the Cedar Lee Theatre to a citywide celebration based at Playhouse Square. Today, a variety of intimate screenings, educational partnerships, and community engagements position Cleveland as a hub of international cinema. See highlights from recent festivals here.
Nurturing Independent Film Arts
Today, CIFF screens hundreds of features and shorts from dozens of countries each year, giving a platform to new voices and bold storytelling. CIFF nurtures the filmmaker experience while exposing Cleveland audiences to film beyond box-office hits.
Education & Media Literacy
CIFF partners with schools for programs like FilmSlam, using the magic of film as an educational tool. Students and educators explore stories from around the world, develop media literacy, and see how films spark empathy, inquiry, and civic action.
Community and Cultural Exchange
Each year, CIFF serves as a meeting ground for the Northeast Ohio community. Screenings, Q&As, and special events bring together neighbors, out-of-town guests, and filmmakers who engage with the stories unfolding on the screen.
Help Shape CIFF’s Next Chapter
Support CIFF with a Donation
Your gift keeps independent films accessible and ensures international cinema continues in Cleveland. Donations support filmmakers, student outreach efforts, and community programming year round. One-time gifts and recurring support help sustain CIFF from year to year.
Make a Donation
Become A CIFF Sponsor
Support your company's mission by sponsoring CIFF and reaching audiences and artists alike. Your brand can be in the spotlight at screenings and events all festival long, and sponsorship levels will customize recognition to support your marketing, hospitality, or community needs.
Become a Sponsor
Become A CIFF Member
Becoming a member is an ideal way to support CIFF while receiving tangible benefits like early-access ticketing opportunities, passholder lounge access during CIFF, and invitations to members-only events. Choose the level that fits your needs and stay connected through CIFF all year round!
Become a Member
