Cleveland International Film Festival } April 7 – April 18, 2021 } Playhouse Square

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Festival FilmSlam

You are currently viewing the CIFF44 lineup. Programming for CIFF45 will be announced in early March 2021.

FilmSlam^®

Students from Northeast Ohio middle, junior high, and high schools have the extraordinary opportunity to see new films by some of the world’s most innovative filmmakers.

Celebrating its 28th anniversary, FilmSlam^® is the Cleveland International Film Festival’s media literacy program and mini-festival of films for students. FilmSlam^® aims to educate students about evaluating and critiquing the messages they perceive while viewing films. Film can be less intimidating than many other art forms because of its prominent role in American culture. Therefore, it is a logical conduit through which social messages (such as the importance of the prevention of domestic violence and the eradication of discrimination) can be sent to young audiences.

FilmSlam^® serves as an effective program to provide students with deep learning opportunities that go beyond the acquisition of basic skills. These include: the ability to foster thought-provoking discussion, analysis, and awareness of media communication forms and genres; critical thinking; curiosity; and social emotional growth.

For more information or to make reservations, please contact Beth Steele Radisek, FilmSlam Director, at 216.623.3456 x13 or beth@clevelandfilm.org.

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Boys State

USA
Directed By Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine
Running Time: 109 Minutes

The sensational winner of the Grand Jury Prize for documentary at this year's Sundance Film Festival, BOYS STATE is a wildly entertaining and continually revealing immersion into a week-long annual program in which a thousand Texas high school seniors gather... {more}

Elephant Refugees

USA, BOTSWANA
Directed By Louise Hogarth
Running Time: 81 Minutes

When Botswana banned elephant poaching in 2014, something incredible happened: the news of the safe haven spread among herds, prompting a mass elephant migration into Botswana from neighboring countries. Now, with nearly 60% of the world’s elephants residing in Botswana,... {more}

Picture Character

USA, GERMANY, JAPAN, ARGENTINA, AUSTRIA, UNITED KINGDOM
Directed By Martha Shane, Ian Cheney
Running Time: 81 Minutes

Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that “emoji” is a Japanese word that means “picture character?” This definition might give you a hint as to what the film is about. That’s right… emojis. Over the past two decades, emojis... {more}

The Story of Plastic

USA
Directed By Deia Schlosberg
Running Time: 95 Minutes

Of all the plastic that has ever existed, more than half was produced in the last 15 years. Of that, 91% has never been recycled. It’s no secret that we have a major plastic problem. What is less known is... {more}

We Are the Radical Monarchs

USA
Directed By Linda Goldstein Knowlton
Running Time: 97 Minutes

Don’t expect to see the Radical Monarchs— a scout troop comprising young girls of color in Oakland, California—selling cookies. These troopers earn their badges by learning about social justice movements, from the Black Panthers to Black Lives Matter, and participating... {more}