Frequently Asked Questions
Festival Ticket Basics
- March 5, 10AM CIFF Visionary Tickets on Sale
- March 11, 10 AM CIFF Member Tickets on Sale
- March 18, 10 AM General Public Tickets on Sale
No. Seating is first-come, first-served so we encourage you to line up early.
Want to make sure you’re at the front of the line when the cinema doors open? Consider joining CIFF Visionaries (their exclusive line will always be let in first) or becoming a Cinephile member for early entry.
When tickets become available you can purchase them:
1) Online at clevelandfilm.org, or
2) In-person at our venue box offices during the festival.
Patrons can visit us on-site at our venues beginning one hour before the first showtime of the day. Box offices close 30 minutes after the start of the final screening of the day.
Please note: CIFF box offices and merchandise stores only accept credit payments only. (But you can still make cash donations at our Challenge Match stations.)
Credit card purchases require an account. When you make your first purchase on clevelandfilm.org, an Eventive ticketing account is automatically created for you. To log in and see your purchases, please click the "Login" button on the top right of clevelandfilm.org website.
For more information about privacy and the Eventive ticketing system, please review the Eventive privacy policy.
Through our ticketing platform Eventive, CIFF will keep records of all ticket purchaser names, emails, and any additional contact details provided.
As indicated in CIFF’s Privacy Policy, this information will be safeguarded and not provided to any other person, organization, or government body.
CIFF Visionaries and Cinephile-level members will receive a physical printed pass. This year, all passes must be picked up in person from our Filmmaker & Guest Services desk in the lobby of the Idea Center (1375 Euclid Avenue.), adjacent to the Allen Theatre and located just outside of the Passholder Lounge.
Pick Up Hours
- Wednesday, April 8th 12:00pm - 5:00pm (1 day prior to festival start)
- Thursday, April 9th 12:00pm - 8:00pm (Opening Day)
- All other festival days: one hour before the first showtime of the day until 30 minutes after the start of the final screening of the day.
Admissions Policy
Doors will open 30 minutes before the scheduled showtime at the Cedar Lee Theatre and CSU School of Film, and 45 minutes before the scheduled showtime at the Allen and Ohio Theaters at Playhouse Square. (Subject to change by Festival Staff.)
Ticket holders should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the movie to guarantee entry.
Want to make sure you’re at the front of the line when the cinema doors open? Consider joining CIFF Visionaries (their exclusive line will always be let in first) or becoming a Cinephile member for early entry.
Rush Lines
Refunds & Exchanges
During the Festival, ticket exchanges for in-cinema tickets of equal value can be made without additional charges when previously redeemed using a pass so long as it’s prior to the start time listed on the ticket you’d like to exchange.
Complimentary tickets cannot be exchanged under any circumstances.
If a CIFF event is cancelled or postponed due to force majeure or any circumstance that threatens the safety of participants, staff, or volunteers, patrons can choose to have their purchase transferred to a future event, obtain a refund or donate the value of their purchase back to CIFF.
All patrons will be notified via email of any event cancellation or postponement. The information related to cancellation or postponement will also be posted on the CIFF website. Fees incurred or donations made as part of your purchase will not be refunded.
