FilmSlam®
FilmSlam®
Join us for CIFF48's FilmSlam®!
FilmSlam® is the Cleveland International Film Festival’s (CIFF) media literacy program and mini-festival of films for students in grades 5-12. FilmSlam® provides students with the ability to evaluate and critique the messages they perceive when viewing films — while encouraging thought-provoking discussion, embracing curiosity and fueling creativity, and experiencing social emotional growth. FilmSlam® will take place at Playhouse Square: April 4-5 + 9-12, 2024.
If you missed the in-person FilmSlam® program at Playhouse Square during CIFF47, you still have an opportunity to share films with your students through our FilmSlam® Streams program!:
FilmSlam® Streams
FilmSlam® Streams is CIFF’s virtual media literacy program that allows educators to stream films directly in the classroom with their students. Educators can select from free plans to paid subscription-based plans that include study guides with an introduction to media literacy, curriculum links, discussion topics, post-screening activities and resources. Filmmaker and other presenters participate in virtual Q&As following films. Check out how educators are incorporating the program into their curriculum!
The next installment of FilmSlam® Streams films will be released on October 1, 2023. You can view which films are included in September and October!
Enroll your class in FilmSlam® Streams today here!
Films are available for the following programs:
- Arabic Language Cinema
- Black Cinema
- BIPOC Cinema
- Chinese Language Cinema
- Cultural Cinema
- Cultural Cinema LIGHT (specifically geared towards Grades 5-8)
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Cinema
- Environmental + Climate Cinema
- French Language Cinema
- German Language Cinema
- Human Rights Cinema
- Latinx Cinema
- Newcomer's Language Cinema (Farsi, Pashto, Zulu and Somali, e.g.)
- Social Justice Cinema
- Spanish Language Cinema
- Student Cinema (films made by students in Grades 5-12)
- Ukrainian Cinema
- Women’s Empowerment Cinema
Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Akron Public Schools, and other qualifying public schools can participate in the All-Access Plan for free.
FilmSlam® at Playhouse Square
FilmSlam® will take place at Playhouse Square: April 4 - 5 + 9 - 12, 2024.
A list of titles and synopses of films screening at FilmSlam® at Playhouse Square, including Animated Cinema, Black Cinema, Cultural and Cultural LIGHT Cinema, Chinese Language Cinema, Feature films, French Language Cinema, German Language Cinema, and Spanish Language Cinema will be available in March 2024.
All films/programs will begin simultaneously at 9:45 a.m. (your morning will come to a close before 11:15 a.m.)
- 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
- Students vote for Best Feature Film and Best Short Film
The following short film programs will be screening (for field trip planning purposes, screening dates for each program can be found here):
- Animated Cinema
- Black Cinema
- Cultural Cinema
- Cultural LIGHT Cinema - middle school + junior high
- Chinese Language Cinema
- Feature Films
- French Language Cinema
- German Language Cinema
- Spanish Language Cinema
Ticket Reservations
FilmSlam® tickets are $5 a student; teachers and chaperones are free! Tickets are free for CMSD, Akron Public Schools, and other qualifying public schools. Tickets are first come, first serve basis. All educators must reserve tickets for all screenings they plan to attend through our reservation link. Please be as accurate as possible with student tickets when making your reservations. The deadline to make ticket reservations is March 29, 2024.
Ticket Reservation Modifications
The last day to modify student ticket reservation numbers for CIFF48 FilmSlam® screenings will be March 29, 2024. Please note that after March 29, you will be invoiced for the number of reservations you filled in on the registration form even in the event that some of your students do not attend, so please be as accurate as possible when making your ticket reservations!
To make modifications to this reservation prior to March 29, please email [email protected].
Payment Process
Invoices will be emailed on Monday, April 1, 2024. We ask that you please send a check, PO, or credit card number to the following address or email:
Cleveland International Film Festival
Attn: FilmSlam
2510 Market Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
If you would like to pay by credit card, please call our Box Office during festival hours at (877) 304-3456.
FilmSlam® payments will not be accepted at the door.
Screening Start Time
Please make your best efforts to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your screening start time to give students adequate time to make their way to the theatre. We are unable to delay screening start times to accommodate late arrivals.
Film Festival Film Rating
Film Festival films – including FilmSlam® films – are not rated. Some films selected to screen in FilmSlam® may contain strong language, unusual humor, and/or challenging topics and themes.
Our Middle School ‘LIGHT’ program is appropriate for middle and junior high school students.
Bus Transportation
Buses will drop students off at Allen Theatre (1407 Euclid Ave, Cleveland) and will be given directions on where to park for the morning. Students and educators will check-in and be escorted to their theater. More information on bus arrival, drop-off, and pick-up can be found here.
If you are in need of funding support for bus transportation to FilmSlam® at Playhouse Square, we recommend reaching out to Ohio Arts Council’s Big Yellow School Bus program, which supports school visits to arts and cultural activities. Please refer to this document for helpful information as you put your application together!
CMSD students receive free bus transportation (first-come, first-serve). Information for how to schedule your bus will be emailed to you once you submit your ticket reservation.
Concessions + Playhouse Square District
Concession stands will be open for students to purchase snacks and refreshments prior to film screenings. A list of avialable concessions and prices will be emailed to teachers in early March. For those interested in arranging lunch in the District following your FilmSlam® screening, check out the Food and Amenities Guide.
Teacher Resources
For additional FilmSlam® resources, including parking information, film descriptions, study guides, and more, check out the FilmSlam® at Playhouse Square Google folder.
FilmSlam® Sponsors
Questions?
We are so grateful for your continued participation, and look forward to welcoming you and your students to FilmSlam® at Playhouse Square!
For more information or questions, please contact Gabrielle Burrage, Education Director at 216.623.3456, extension 13 or send an email to: [email protected].