Events That Bring CIFF to Life Year Round
There’s more to CIFF than our annual festival. We fill the calendar with screenings, filmmaker discussions, and special programming. So be sure to check back frequently and reserve your spot for the events you don’t want to miss.
September 18, 2026 – October 31, 2026
September Short Shorts
As summer fades into fall, keep the season going with a collection of CIFF alum “short shorts”—films around eight minutes or less, handpicked by our Shorts Programming Team and available to watch for free online. Watch them all at once or create your own screening order! Plus, take a trip back to 1897 Cleveland with Giant Coal Dumper, a historic short preserved by the Library of Congress.
October 21, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
October Shorts Club – TEDx Screening
Join us for October Shorts Club as we partner with Cleveland State University’s TEDx “Untangling Wonder” with a curated selection of short films from recent Cleveland International Film Festivals (CIFFs) that celebrate creativity, curiosity, and human achievement.
October 22, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Writing from Intellectual Property
This masterclass will teach participants how to adapt existing intellectual property (IP) - books, podcasts, social media threads, etc. - into compelling script for film and television.
October 22, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
October Shorts Club – Spooky Shorts at Cedar Lee
Get thrilled and chilled at the annual Spooky Shorts! Join CIFF's Shorts Club at the Cedar Lee Theatre for Night 1 of our two-night Halloween celebration featuring eerie, funny, and pulse-racing short films—plus an exclusive sneak peek at a CIFF51 selection. (Can't make it? Join us downtown for the same program on 10/23!)
October 23, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
October Shorts Club – Spooky Shorts at CSU
The scares continue downtown! Join CIFF's Shorts Club at the CSU Screening Room at the Idea Center for Night 2 of our annual Spooky Shorts Halloween celebration featuring eerie, funny, and pulse-racing short films—plus an exclusive sneak peek at a CIFF51 selection.
October 28, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
October CIFF Young Professionals – “Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant” Screening
Network, mingle, and get ready for a wild cinematic ride with CIFF Young Professionals! Join us at the Cedar Lee Theatre for an exclusive screening of the Sundance Midnight smash hit Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant—a messy millennial body-horror comedy straight out of New Zealand.
November 19, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A Whole New World: Writing for Animation
Learn visual storytelling tricks that distinguish animated tales from live action series. Venture into character development, world building, and story building.
Past Events
September 24, 2026
7:00 pm
Fundraising for Social Justice Films
Film financing is complicated and the process ever-changing. Learn from an Emmy-nominated producer who mentors filmmakers, storytellers, and mission-driven artists who are building projects designed to move culture and spark change. Taught by film and television producer Simone Pero.
August 27, 2026
7:00 pm
Indie Filmmaking from Inception to Distribution
You’ve finished your feature film, now what? Learn how to get your film in front of distributors and streamers. Taught by actor/writer/director Addison Henderson.
August 21, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
August Shorts Club – CIFF50 Best of the Rest
Join us for our August Shorts Club Event, CIFF50 Best of the Rest, which will feature six short films that just missed the cut for CIFF50!
August 20, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
August Shorts Club – CIFF50 Best of the Rest
Join us for our August Shorts Club Event, CIFF50 Best of the Rest, which will feature six short films that just missed the cut for CIFF50!
July 23, 2026
7:00 pm
Bite-sized Storytelling: Writing the Microdrama
Vertical storytelling is the latest craze as more film and TV buffs opt for phones and gadgets over big screens and long arcs. Join vertical series writer Claire Epstein to learn how to write these short series, as well as the business models behind them.
June 27, 2026
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hometown Heroes: An Evening With David Wain
Join us for a 25th-anniversary screening of cult comedy classic, Wet Hot American Summer, followed by a discussion with filmmaker David Wain.
June 25, 2026
7:00 pm
TV Writing: Creating the Episodic Engine
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating prestige television shows like THE PITT and HACKS, our first session is for you. We’re kicking off our new masterclass series with TV Writing: Creating the Episodic Engine on June 25.
June 18, 2026
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
June Shorts Club
The Groundbreaker shorts program is a collection of short films sharing racially diverse stories made by racially diverse filmmakers.
April 18, 2026
7:30 pm
CIFF50 Closing Night
Join us for our closing night film, Power Ballad, where Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves.
April 9, 2026
7:00 pm
CIFF50 Opening Night, Sponsored by Dollar Bank
Opening Night is where the magic begins — the electric first spark of CIFF50 and the moment the entire festival comes alive. This isn’t just the start of the Festival — it’s the event everyone will be talking about.
February 17, 2026 – April 4, 2026
7X7 Retrospective
We're opening our film vault to celebrate our 50th Festival. Each week for the next seven weeks, we'll release a program of 7 short films.
March 11, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
How To Fest Webinar
Get the inside scoop on how to navigate the film program on our new website, learn about special events and more!
February 26, 2026
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Cleveland International Film Festival Young Professionals (CIFFYP) Kickoff
We’re excited to introduce the Cleveland International Film Festival Young Professionals (CIFFYP) group as we continue our road to the 50th festival. Join us February 26 for our kickoff event - CIFF Trivia Night - at Lakewood Truck Park!
February 13, 2026
6:00 pm
Get Shorty
Join us for our most popular fundraiser of the year! You’re in charge, along with other film-loving-friends. Together, you’ll screen a top-secret selection of new short films, individually cast your votes for which ones should play at CIFF50, and collectively support independent filmmaking!