The CIFF Code of Conduct

The CIFF Code of Conduct serves to provide a clear understanding of the standard of conduct expected when participating in the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) and all its manifestations—meetings and gatherings, events and parties, venues, social media accounts, and official communications (verbal, written, and digital). The Code of Conduct serves as a guide to ensure the CIFF is a respectful, open, inclusive, and safe environment for all to gather, share, learn, and celebrate in an atmosphere free of harassment.

The Code of Conduct places an obligation on all individuals to take responsibility for their own conduct and applies to all participants, including but not limited to: Attendees, CIFF Members, Guests, Trustees, CIFF Full-Time Staff, CIFF Seasonal Staff, CIFF Volunteers, Panelists, CIFF Screening Team Members, Sponsors, Community Partners, Neighborhood Partners, Media Partners, and Vendors.

The CIFF does not tolerate harassment of any kind and reserves the right to revoke credentials and/or remove, temporarily or permanently without notice or refund, any person who does not adhere to the CIFF Code of Conduct in all of its manifestations including but not limited to:

  • Inappropriate disruption of CIFF events
  • Intimidation or threats
  • Hateful, abusive, offensive, degrading, or other inappropriate language
  • Inappropriate physical contact or physical assault of any type
  • Unwanted sexual attention, verbal or physical
  • Unwanted photography or video recording
  • Bullying or stalking
  • Refusal to follow Health & Safety protocols and guidelines as outlined by the local, state, and federal government, Playhouse Square, and CIFF

Especially in connection with, but not limited to:

  • Race, ethnicity, national origin, or citizenship status
  • Political affiliation
  • Gender identity or presentation
  • Sex or sexual orientation
  • Physical appearance or body type
  • Age
  • Disability, medical condition, or pregnancy
  • Religion

How to Report Violations

If you experience or witness any form of harassment, notify the nearest CIFF Full-Time Staff member or CIFF Manager. Alternatively, if you feel unsafe in your immediate situation, alert the nearest CIFF Full-Time Staff member or CIFF Manager, move to a safe location, and call 911 if appropriate.

A CIFF Full-Time Staff member will address the situation and make every effort to provide a space where you and others feel safe and heard. They may involve other staff to ensure your complaint is appropriately managed but will maintain and respect your privacy to the best of their ability. All complaints will have a formal incident report created and will be investigated by CIFF Full-Time Staff and/or the CIFF Board of Directors.

To file a written complaint, email cfs@clevelandfilm.org. Please provide detailed information about the events and your contact information. All complaints will be investigated. If you are planning to attend an upcoming event and have concerns regarding another individual who may be present, please contact any CIFF Full-Time Staff member.

Precautions will be taken to ensure your comfort and safety, including, but not limited to:

  • Providing an escort
  • Contacting venue security and/or local law enforcement
  • Briefing CIFF Full-Time Staff members and CIFF Managers for response/victim assistance
  • Keeping victim and harasser from interacting and/or attending the same events and providing onsite contact cell phone numbers for immediate communication
  • And otherwise assisting those experiencing harassment to ensure they feel safe for the duration of the Festival

Violators

If you are asked to stop any of your behavior, STOP immediately, even if you disagree. You will be given the chance to share your version of the events.

As stated above, the CIFF does not tolerate harassment of any kind and reserves the right to revoke credentials and/or remove, temporarily or permanently without notice or refund, any person who does not adhere to the CIFF Code of Conduct in all of its manifestations.

Social Media Policy

The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is proud to have an active presence across several social media platforms. This enables us to maintain open communication with you and to better respond to feedback on how we can make your CIFF experience more enjoyable.

To ensure our social community is a positive experience for all involved, please show respect toward others by abiding by the terms and policies outlined by each social media platform. Kindly be respectful of one another and avoid posting comments that attack or discriminate against others, or include inflammatory content. Such content will be removed. If an individual repeatedly violates this policy, the user will be blocked from posting in the future.

If you are looking for additional information, please contact us at cfs@clevelandfilm.org.