CIFF short films are programmed in blended blocks of 90-110 minutes designed to create the ultimate short film experience. CIFF is proud to be an Academy Award® Oscar-qualifying festival in all three short film categories including Animation, Documentary, and Live-Action.
After Hours Shorts Program 1
A collection of short films featuring strange and twisted tales sure to deliver thrills, chills, and giggles.
After Hours Shorts Program 2
A collection of short films featuring strange and twisted tales sure to deliver thrills, chills, and giggles.
After Hours Shorts Program 3
A collection of short films featuring strange and twisted tales sure to deliver thrills, chills, and giggles.
Program includes:
Comedy Shorts Program 1: Love, Loss & Laughter
Stories of Love, Loss, and Laughter are shared in this collection of comedic short films.
Program includes:
Just a Song (CIFF50 Flashback)
Run time: 6 minutes
The Alpaca Connection
Run time: 18 minutes
Ramon Makes A Movie
Run time: 14 minutes
Thirteen cats
Run time: 13 minutes
Fire At Will
Run time: 10 minutes
Missed
Run time: 11 minutes
Too Good
Run time: 6 minutes
An Irish Goodbye (CIFF50 Flashback)
Run time: 24 minutes
Comedy Shorts Program 2: Expect the Unexpected
Prepare to expect the unexpected in this collection of comedic short films.
Comedy Shorts Program 3: Salty, Savory, Spicy, & Sweet
A collection of comedic short films to satisfy all tastes!
Program includes:
Time Travel Dietician (CIFF50 Flashback)
Run time: 5 minutes
Rug Pull
Run time: 12 minutes
Nut Milk in May
Run time: 17 minutes
The Last Payphone in New York
Run time: 4 minutes
Stop to Stop
Run time: 12 minutes
Teen Mary
Run time: 20 minutes
Sunday Sauce
Run time: 14 minutes
Fire in Cardboard City (CIFF50 Flashback)
Run time: 9 minutes
Comedy Shorts Program 4: You Think You Know…
You might think you know but you probably don’t in this collection of comedic short films.
Program includes:
First World Problems (CIFF50 Flashback)
Run time: 3 minutes
Rock, Paper, Destiny
Run time: 17 minutes
Dear Mr. Hitman
Run time: 13 minutes
Writing for Timothée
Run time: 12 minutes
Present Tense
Run time: 4 minutes
Bulldozer
Run time: 27 minutes
Falafel
Run time: 5 minutes
Jane Austen’s Period Drama (CIFF50 Flashback)
Run time: 13 minutes
DReam Maker Shorts Program
Honoring the life and memory of David K. Ream, a beloved CIFF Trustee, the DReam Maker shorts program is a collection of LGBTQ+ themed short films made by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Family Shorts Program 1 (All Ages)
A collection of short films suitable for All Ages.
Family Shorts Program 2 (Older – 10+)
A collection of short films for families with children 10 and older.
Groundbreaker Shorts Program
With a focus on elevating and supporting artists of color the Groundbreaker shorts program is a collection of short films sharing racially diverse stories made by racially diverse filmmakers.
Local Heroes Shorts – Program 1
This short film program features films made in, about or by filmmakers from the great state of Ohio!
Program includes:
There’s No Place Like Shalom
Run time: 3 minutes
Lucas + Claire
Run time: 13 minutes
Welcome To Dollar Country
Run time: 23 minutes
Photography
Run time: 13 minutes
Open Threads
Run time: 3 minutes
FLY
Run time: 14 minutes
We Never Sleep
Run time: 13 minutes
The Gospel of Soul
Run time: 22 minutes
First Time
Run time: 9 minutes
Local Heroes Shorts – Program 2
This short film program features films made in, about or by filmmakers from the great state of Ohio!
Program includes:
Marottes – Follow
Run time: 4 minutes
Hiking through Grief
Run time: 32 minutes
Grounding
Run time: 4 minutes
Skate Rat Since ’88 – The Kristian Svitak Story
Run time: 24 minutes
Dreams Travel Wondrous Wires
Run time: 5 minutes
The Platform
Run time: 9 minutes
North Star
Run time: 18 minutes
Love in the Lanes
Run time: 8 minutes
Steakout!
Run time: 8 minutes
Local Heroes Shorts – Program 3 – Students
This short film program features films made by student filmmakers here in the Buckeye state!
Magic Light Showcase #1 – All Ages – Relaxed Screening
Join us for a morning Relaxed Family Friendly Screening at the Allen Theater at Playhouse Square. Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities staff and volunteers will be on hand to help with way-finding and enhanced customer service. A calming space will be set up in the lobby. Stop by their table in the lobby to receive a travel-size sensory kit to use during the 10:00 am Relaxed Screening A travel sensory kit includes calming tools to manage overstimulation during trips, alongside engaging items to provide focus and enjoyment, all packed in an accessible bag for on-the-go support.
Magic Light Showcase #2 – All Ages – Relaxed Screening
Join us for a Relaxed Family Friendly Screening at the Cedar Lee Theater.
Parability Shorts Program
This enlightening collection of films features stories about people with a wide range of abilities and their lived experiences.
Shorts in Focus: Nathanael Matanick – Foster Care – Youth in Crisis
This year we honor filmmaker Nathanael Matanick for his work in the short film arena, specifically tackling stories of children at risk in the foster care system and beyond. His films have had a real impact in the field and are often shown as part of the training process for would be foster parents in some states including Ohio.
Shorts Program 1
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 2
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 3
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 4
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 5
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 6
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 7
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 8
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 9
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 10
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 11
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 12
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 13
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 14
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 15
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Shorts Program 16
A blended competitive program of films from all genres showcasing short films from around the world.
Love Shorts? Join the Club!
If you believe that the most powerful stories are often the most concise, the Shorts Club is your ultimate backstage pass. Designed exclusively for enthusiasts who crave the creativity and punch of short-form filmmaking, this membership offers all-access to every shorts program during CIFF50 and keeps the momentum going with year-round perks.
You aren’t just buying tickets; you’re securing a premium festival experience—complete with merchandise discounts, exclusive quarterly content, and significant savings on our legendary Get Shorty fundraiser. Dive into a world of bite-sized cinematic masterpieces and join a community that celebrates the art of the short film.
Join the Shorts Club
