Education Programs

CIFF’s public programs cultivate, support, and champion inclusion and belonging while fostering understanding and appreciation of myriad cultures and communities. Through media literacy programs for students; professional development opportunities for educators and filmmakers; and year-round learning experiences for the general public, CIFF works collaboratively with an array of experts and community partners to deepen understanding of the world and catalyze positive change in our community through the power of film arts.

FilmSlam®

FilmSlam® is the Cleveland International Film Festival’s (CIFF) media literacy program and mini-festival of films for students in grades K-12. Through FilmSlam®, students learn to evaluate and critique the messages they see in films. They are encouraged to engage in thought-provoking discussions while embracing curiosity.

Films include a study guide with discussion questions, project and research activity ideas, and resources for further study.

Each screening includes a 10-20-minute post-viewing Q&A session.

FilmSlam® will take place April 10, 2026, at Playhouse Square for grades K-5 and April 13-17, 2026, at Cedar Lee Theatre for grades 6-12.

FilmSlam® tickets are $5 a student. Teachers and chaperones are free. Tickets are free for students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Akron Public Schools.

All educators must reserve tickets for all screenings they plan to attend through this reservation link.

We recommend you secure signed field trip permission forms from your students, confirm your bus transportation, and retrieve any other school approvals prior to submitting the FilmSlam® reservation form.

The deadline to make ticket reservations is March 21, 2026.

Register for FilmSlam®

FilmSlam Streams®

Can't wait until FilmSlam® in 2026? Sign up for our FilmSlam® Streams program and gain access to a monthly array of films to share directly in your classroom.

Films are available for the following programs:

  • Animated Cinema
  • Arabic Language Cinema
  • Black Cinema
  • Chinese Language Cinema
  • Cultural Cinema
  • Cultural Cinema LIGHT (specifically geared towards Grades 5-8)
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Accessibility Cinema
  • Environmental + Climate Cinema
  • French Language Cinema
  • German Language Cinema
  • Jewish Cinema
  • Latinx Cinema
  • Social Change Cinema
  • Spanish Language Cinema
  • World Languages Cinema
Sign Up for FilmSlam® Streams
Questions? For more information or questions, please contact Tiffany Alexander, Education Director, at 216-623-3456, extension 1003 or send an email to tiffany@clevelandfilm.org.

Teachers’ Workshops

In the fall and spring, CIFF hosts professional development workshops for educators in grades 5-12. Participants learn best uses and applications of the FilmSlam® and FilmSlam® Streams curriculum in their classrooms. The workshop includes screenings of short films, break-out activities, discussion groups, and resources. Educators earn CEUs for attending.

Our next Teacher Workshop is scheduled from 10:30 am – 1 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Contact us for more information using the form below.

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