About
Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF): Celebrating Film Arts & Education
The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) stands as one of the longest-running and largest film festivals in the United States. Founded in 1977, CIFF is dedicated to showcasing the power of film arts to educate, entertain, and foster an inclusive human experience.
ABOUT CIFF
- A leading Academy® qualifying film festival.
- One of seven Resident Companies of Playhouse Square
- Attracts over 70,000 film enthusiasts annually.
- Dedicated to diverse, quality film education and exhibition.
OUR MISSION
The Cleveland International Film Festival promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community.
We live our mission by presenting Cleveland audiences with the best new films from around the world which offer valuable insights into diverse cultures, relevant topics, and the independent perspectives of local and global filmmakers.
OUR VISION
The Cleveland International Film Festival is a leader in helping the world discover the power of the film arts to educate, entertain, and celebrate an inclusive human experience.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- High Standards: Prioritize diverse, quality film education and exhibition, emphasizing artistic and cultural merit.
- Community Collaboration: Connect with community partners to raise awareness of film arts' impact.
- Accessible Audience Experience: Provide the best and most accessible audience experience.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering cultural understanding.
- Innovation: Cultivate an innovative and forward-thinking organization.
- Community Integration: Embed CIFF's work into the fabric of the community.
- Organizational Integrity: Promote a work environment based on integrity, professionalism, teamwork, trust, and respect.
- Financial Stability: Ensure financial stability and increase financial self-sufficiency.
CIFF STAFF
EXECUTIVE STAFF
These are a few of our favorite things...
Kristopher Caccamise
Membership and Administration Manager
kristopher@clevelandfilm.orgFunko Pops I Titanic I The 1990s I College Sports I Cleveland
Hermione Malone
Executive Director
hermione@clevelandfilm.orgTravel | Baking Pies | Well-Crafted Cocktails | Aunting | 90s R&B/Hip-Hop | Art Museums
Mallory Martin
Artistic Director
mallory@clevelandfilm.orgOllie Bear | Puzzles | Hiking | Gardening | Pizza
Valerie Temple
Interim Education Director
valerie@clevelandfilm.orgThrifting | Letterboxd | Marc’s | Patricia Highsmith | Snack Innovations
Woody Shticks
Interim Operations Director
woody@clevelandfilm.orgLocal Produce | Pugs | Liberation | Culture Workers | Lists
Kelly Standish
Development Director
kelly@clevelandfilm.orgFamily I The Beach I New Restaurants I Competitive Tennis I Local Bands
PROGRAMMING STAFF
Amanda Kafcsak
Short Films Programmer
Jason Stone
Short Films Programmer
Gina Washington
Short Films Programmer
CIFF49 SEASONAL STAFFas of 3.15.2025
CIFF48 Volunteers
CIFF49 Hook Writer: Marcus Gorman
Board
Joe Marinucci
PRESIDENT
Pamela LeRose
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE | Huntington National Bank
Chris S.W. Blake
VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT | Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
Jerry Frantz
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING
Todd Mesek
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING | Cleveland Museum of Art
Erica Merritt
VICE PRESIDENT OF BOARD ENGAGEMENT | Equius Group, LLC
Brett C. Altier | Ice Miller
Mac Clough | Urban Community School
Tom Cook | 53 Group, Inc.
Lisa Durst | Eaton
Coleen Fisher | Dollar Bank
Joe Foley | Cannasure
Debra S. Gold
Patrick Hackett | Axuall
Christine Hickey | Cuyahoga Community College
Dion Hudnall | Akron Public Schools
Gregg Levine | Ratliff & Taylor
Leilani Marshall | Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Lynn Milliner | MetroHealth
Nadine Nana | Enidan Marketing
Eric Patrick | Travere Therapeutics
Tim Piazza
Kevin Poor | Dix & Eaton
Julie Raskind
Cigdem Slankard | Cleveland State University
Mark Smith | Covalent Advisors
Bill Garvey | Greater Cleveland Film Commission
EX OFFICIO
Kerry McCormack | Cleveland City Council Member, Ward 3
EX OFFICIO