The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is thrilled to celebrate the resounding success of GET SHORTY 2025, presented by Huntington Bank, on Friday, February 21st at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square. With a sold-out crowd of 1,000 film enthusiasts, the event exceeded all expectations and set a new standard for this popular annual fundraiser.

Executive Director, Hermione Malone, encouraged attendees to support the arts organization through this year’s challenge match, made possible through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture – every dollar donated will be matched up to $100,000 through the end of the festival, noting that there is a new (and fun) way to give.

We are putting the selection of one of the CIFF49 Challenge Match buttons in your hands. Simply go online to vote with your dollars and the crowd favorite will be produced for this year's Festival.

Special thanks to everyone who attended, contributed, and made GET SHORTY 2025 such a memorable evening, including Playhouse Square, Pearl Flower Kitchen, DJ Lily Jade, and especially Emcee Paul Sloop, CIFF Shorts Programmer, and the entire Shorts Program Screen Team for curating eight short films that made us laugh, cry, and cheer. The film that placed highest through audience vote will receive special placement at the Festival. We look forward to seeing you at CIFF49 (March 27 – April 5, 2025)!

Voting closes on March 7th, so cast your vote today: $1/Vote